ENB:11:01
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DEBATE ON THE DRAFT PLAN OF ACTION:
With regard to the
structure of the document, it was suggested that the goals and
objectives of the programmes and sub-programmes be brought to the
fore, before the constraints and opportunities for the plans of
action. The US also highlighted that the table of contents should
be moved to the beginning of the document and that it should match
the actual content of the document. The language of this document
was also described as too "esoteric" and the US asked that it be
translated in plain "lay man's" language. Italy said that the
debates were complicated by the fact that the documents had been
issued shortly prior to the session and had not been forwarded to
the capitals for comments. On substance, Senegal said that housing
could no longer be perceived as it had been up to now, but that it
needed to reflect the fact that human settlements form chaotically
and the people who live there live in inhumane conditions. When one
thinks of "habitat", one must also bear in mind the people who have
never had a house, sanitary infrastructure and other amenities. The
international community must therefore make an even greater effort
to provide them with a minimum livable.
While all agreed on the need to take such action, there was
uncertainty as to the exact nature of the measures that need to be
taken. Some said that the problem was one of land tenure
distribution and restructuring. The Netherlands referred to sound
population policies and asked that they be included in the text.
The Draft Plan of Action recommends the adoption of cross-sectoral
measures and this point was taken up by many who felt that they
should reflect other general principles such as gender and
efficiency and full participation in the decision-making process.
Numerous references were made to the relationship between
employment and human settlements, particularly by the ILO. The
efficient mobilization of resources and new and additional
resources were also mentioned repeatedly, as was the need to take
into account the level of development of the countries where these
measures will be taken. The reconstruction of war-affected areas
was also highlighted as a priority for some countries.
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