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John
Langmore, Director, Division of Social Policy and Development, DESA
John Langmore
introduced the draft political declaration and a compilation of
reports prepared by agencies of the UN system. He said the effort
was a striking example of effective cooperation within the UN system.
He hoped the June session would be remembered as a "Special Session
on social justice." He underscored the aim
of increasing the security, equality, freedom and capacity for personal
initiative of all people and the degree of opportunity and justrice
of all societies.
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John
Langmore and Christian Maquieira
PrepCom
Chair Maquieira is also Chair of Working Group I
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PrepCom
Chair Christian Maquieira
(English Translation) Chair Maquiera urged delegates to uphold
a spirit of consensus building and to act not only as country representatives,
but as people who will be proud of their contributions towards ending
poverty, unemployment and social inequities.
Zola
Skweyiya, Chair of the Commission for Social Development,
(right) presented the Overall Review and Appraisal of the Implementation
of the Outcome of the WSSD (A/AC.253/L.5/Rev.2/Part II) He highlighted
the agreed conclusions, grouped under: poverty eradication; full
employment; social integration; Africa and the Least Developed Countries;
mobilization of resources for social development; and capacity building
to implement social policies and programmes. He highlighted issues
that created difficulties and slowed negotiations, such as unilateral
economic sanctions, and said the PrepCom negotiations should be
informed by ethics of care and the need to build a people-centered,
sustainable development process
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| Working Group III began negotiations on the Draft Political
Declaration |
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Working
Group III Chair Ambassador Bagher Asadi (Iran), Chair of Working
Group III (right) consults with members of the G-77/China. On language
referring to inequalities in income and opportunity defeating social
justice and increasing social disintegration, the G-77/China preferred
stating such inequalities have hindered the achievement of social
justice for all and increased social disintegration. He called for
reference to extending social and economic benefits in text on marginalization.
On achievements being assessed in terms of economic activity and,
inter alia, the security of people and social justice, the EU
proposed a reference to human well being. The G-77/China called
for reference to achievements being made not only through economic
activity but also through equitable distribution of wealth and,
inter alia, guaranteeing social justice and equity between women
and men. The Group also suggested deleting language on an effective
regulatory structure set by transparent and accountable government.
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| Working Group I began work on Commitment 1 on enhancing the
enabling environment for social development |
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The G-77/China
consulting in Working Group I on proposed textual changes. On a reference
to reinforcing peace, security, human rights and fundamental freedoms,
the G-77/China proposed insertion of text referring to the right to
development by, inter alia, promoting peace and respect for
diversity. The Group also offered new text on respecting human rights
and the right to development, and suggested adding a reference to
religious and cultural values. |
| Working Group II began discussion on Commitment 2 on promoting
further initiatives for eradicating poverty |
Working
Group II Chair Koos Richelle, the Netherlands
Under Commitment
II, the G-77/China proposed text on further initiatives for poverty
eradication based on POA language. The EU and the G-77/China said
they would reconsider language, including references to social
development instead of policy-making, and to cooperation with
civil society. The group accepted a reference to reducing poverty
with a view to eradicating it. On ways to integrate references
to poverty eradication strategies, goals and targets, Canada called
for retaining language on sustainable and pro-poor growth strategies
that enhance the ability of men and women to take advantage of
world markets.
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| Working
Group II, Commitment 2: Delegates agreed on action paragraphs
on: ensuring access for all to basic social services; encouraging
sustainable rural development; developing and promoting institutional
capacities; and ensuring a gender equality perspective at all levels.
Delegates also accepted a G-77/China proposal on targeting vulnerable
and disadvantaged groups, but disagreed on restructuring public expenditure
policies to make them more efficient, transparent and accountable.
Delegates agreed on references to ensuring community participation
in poverty reduction strategies and to acknowledging civil society's
role in delivering social services. They also agreed on assisting
developing countries with poverty-related data analysis and encouraging
decentralization of basic social services. Delegates did not reach
consensus on improving social systems and extending coverage to, inter
alia, vulnerable groups. |
Side Event: Progress and Priorities
for the World Summit for Social Development
This panel discussion
was cosponsored by the Division for Social Policy and Development,
Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the International Council
on Social Welfare. |
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Julian Disney,
President, International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW)
Internet:: www.icsw.org e-mail:
icswintl@colba.net
Michel
Thierry, Chairman of the French National Committee for the Followup
of Copenhagen and Head of the French Delegation
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(Part
1) PrepCom Chair Christian Maquieira said the process
has reached a moment of political will, noting the review and
assessment were complete, the draft declaration was being negotiated,
and the question of new initiatives was now being tackled. He
discussed: the question of the pact on poverty;and the employment
agenda, including the rights of work to social responsibility
of the private sector; and the ILO's concept of "decent work"
(Part
2) He also discussed the issue of Africa and the least developed
countries, highlighting the linkage between TRIPs and getting
medication to Africa to combat HIV/AIDS, and said the epidemic
was serious enough to warrant attention in the Security Council
because of its threat to international peace.
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Linkages Coverage of the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen
A summary of the major issues
Agenda for the Second Session of the PrepCom
Secretariat web site with official
documents and information
for NGO participants
Secretary-General's
Report on the Implementation of the Outcome of the WSSD
Summary
of the WSSD agreements
Information on the WSSD+5 Special Session
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