ENB:10:06
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PLENARY
UKRAINE: said that along with the shift from planned to market economies, the creation of the spiritual and ethical transformation of society as a whole is needed.
PAKISTAN: stated that the WSSD must send a clear political message that the deteriorating social situation is a grave threat to international security.
ZAMBIA: said that while Africa has effective strategies to overcome her social and economic crisis, political will is lacking to provide effective international cooperation for the social and economic advancement of the region.
ROMANIA: warned against the misconception of assuming that governments can either do no wrong, or no right, and stated that the market, with its "magic," can be humanized by using the french concept of "dirigisme." An essential lesson from the past is that social development is not the task of governments but that of society as a whole. The real challenges are to discover and stimulate society's resources, to help societies act consciously and freely in their own common interest and to identify the economic, social and political obstacles in achieving these goals.
BANGLADESH: stressed that improving the status of women is a prerequisite in resolving the socio-economic problems and added that the three core issues should be assessed from a gender perspective with the aim of involving women as active agents rather than beneficiaries. He proposed the consideration of the UNDP/UNICEF 20-20 vision proposal of devoting 20% of ODA and 20% of the national budgets to human development priorities.
CUBA: stressed that to achieve social development, unsustainable consumption patterns in industrialized societies and the privileged minorities of the South must be substantially changed.
MALAYSIA: said that his country is open to the style and content of the declaration: it should be short, sweet and simple. He said that the Bretton Woods institutions should interact effectively with UN bodies in affirming new agendas for people-centred development.
ALBANIA: stressed the need for international commitment to promote timely assistance to countries affected by rapid social development, such as those with economies in transition and others.
BELARUS: elaborated on the social effects of the Chernobyl disaster, particularly in relation to social stability and the activities the government has undertaken to redress the situation. He hailed the proposal by Russia and Albania for financial support for Eastern European countries.
BULGARIA: recounted the economic situation of the East European countries. He listed the contents of the declaration including, the objectives to achieve world peace, security for the individual and principles for social cooperation. The Plan of Action should include practical aspects of how to achieve the principles set out, an outline of the evaluation process, the role of the UN agencies in the follow-up, and practical measures to implement these proposals.
PHILIPPINES: stated that the last few days had "reaped a bountiful harvest of generalities and theoretical issues." She said that national peculiarities preclude a unilinear approach to social development. The debt burden, inadequate international aid and trade deterioration and protectionism have aggravated the poverty situation in the developing countries. She emphasized that the market forces alone will not suffice. In addressing poverty issues, the fundamental principle that the human being is both the object and subject of development and not just either one of them, should be recognized. The solutions to the core issues include: the establishment, by developed countries, of policies that promote industrial investment in the developing countries; resource transfers to reduce transnational migration; the reaffirmation of the value of traditional cultures and folk arts and rituals for national identity; and governments should listen to NGOs.
LIBERIA: stressed that it is not inconceivable that resources released from military confrontation could be used for the improvement of the well-being of humans.
ESTONIA: said that the proposed political declaration and future plans of actions should be based on a comprehensive analysis of all major changes and trends in the world.
JORDAN: stated that to diminish poverty, strategies must: include popular policy in decision making; be flexible and global; be carried out in rural and urban areas; be gender-inclusive; and implementable.
THAILAND: outlined the contents of the declaration and proposed that the final declaration should contain five parts: (1) a mission statement; (2) analysis of the current and future trends; (3) national, regional and international goals on the issues; (4) plan of action identifying practical steps and prioritizing the activities; and (5) institutional arrangements to implement, monitor and evaluate the plan of action with clearly stated financial commitments.
TUNISIA: stressed the important role of the family as a primary institution in preserving society's moral values and curbing deviant behaviour. The declaration should: contain a social charter that sets out the major principles that States would apply in their policies; provide an environment that enables the goals to be realized; ensure that the principles of universality and specificity go hand-in-hand; promote the spirit of communality and solidarity.
MAURITANIA: said that for people to enjoy social, human and cultural rights, and the benefits of the UN Charter, NGOs, media, and society as a whole must work as partners. This will provide a solid foundation for international peace and security.
REHABILITATION INTERNATIONAL: stated that the productivity potential of disabled people can add significantly to economic growth in all countries, reducing poverty and unemployment.