EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN (enb@igc.apc.org) PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Johannah Bernstein Anilla Cherian Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Richard Jordan Lynn Wagner A DAILY REPORT ON THE THIRD SESSION OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Vol. 10 No. 29 Friday, 20 January 1995 WSSD PREPCOM III HIGHLIGHTS THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY 1995 WORKING GROUP I Given the slow pace of work, the Chair requested suggestions for expediting the process. The G-77 and China requested that delegations raise proposals only within regional group meetings. COMMITMENT 2(b): (provision of basic needs) The EU added references on access to employment, food security, conformity with the Cairo document for family planning, and the disabled. The US added access to primary health care and reproductive services. Australia included "indigenous peoples" after "women and children" and Japan added "human" before "basic needs." In 2(c) (access), the US added a reference to sustainable livelihoods. Switzerland added a new (c)(bis) on expanding employment and economic opportunities. In 2(d) (socio-economic protection), the EU referred to civil, socio-economic and cultural rights. The G-77 and China added "maternity" after "ill health." The US added two new paragraphs: one strengthening the role of communities and NGO participation, and another on implementation of community-based management programmes. In 2(e) (national budgets), the G-77 and China replaced "review" with "ensure" and "to orient them towards" with "meet basic needs." The EU added a reference to targeting poverty as a strategic objective. The US referred to cost- effective, community-based policies. Australia added a reference to comprehensive national implementation strategies by 1996. In 2(f) (international institutions), the EU referred to donor States developing an assessment- based approach for aid. The G-77 and China, supported by Japan, added "developed countries," replaced "institutions" with "organizations," and added "multilateral" before "financial institutions." India noted that the national segment did not include enabling activities in the field of agriculture and rural development. The US qualified "ensure" with "strive to," which the G-77 and China opposed. The G-77 and China suggested language on financial and technical assistance for lower income countries and on the removal of impediments to poverty eradication. COMMITMENT 3: (freely chosen employment) The EU proposed a reference in the chapeau to full employment as a basic economic priority. The G-77 and China proposed an (a)(bis) on the right of disadvantaged groups to remunerated employment, stressing the importance of sustainable livelihoods. In 3(a) (creation of remunerated employment), the EU, supported by the US, agreed with the general philosophy of the sub-paragraph, but deleted "adequately remunerated." The G-77 and China, supported by Canada and Japan, strongly objected to this deletion, arguing that it was up to individual countries to develop employment policies. References were added to: disabled persons (EU); women (Norway); and the elderly (Switzerland). Norway added stronger language on workers’ rights. In 3(b) (expanding work opportunities), the G-77 and China added language on secure and sustainable livelihoods for all. Canada referred to investing in basic education and skills development. In 3(c) (worker training), the US qualified the reference to worker training with "seek to." In 3(d) (options for employment creation), the EU added a reference to expanding the concept of work. They also added new paragraphs on: reconciling family and professional life; womens’ access to employment and pay equity; and integration of employment strategies into trade mechanisms. The G-77 and China supported the EU’s first two paragraphs. The US deleted "and fair distribution of work" and objected to expanding the concept of work. In 3(e) (quality jobs), the US proposed language on forced and child labour. Australia called for indices recognizing womens’ contribution to work. The US bracketed the paragraph and added reference to durable and long-lasting employment. In 3(f) (migrant workers), the G-77 and China encouraged ratification and full implementation of relevant instruments. The Holy See suggested monitoring the quasi-trafficking of migrant workers. COMMITMENT 4: (social integration) The EU included "all human rights," "equality of opportunities" and "full participation of disadvantaged groups." The US referred to basic worker rights and capacity building. In the chapeau, the EU added references to equality of opportunity and Canada added respect for diversity. The G-77 and China preferred the original text. In 4(a) (promoting social awareness), Norway included human rights. The G-77 and China inserted "promoted democracy and the rule of law." The US added two new subparagraphs to precede 4(a). The first, on the elimination of discrimination in all its forms, was supported by the EU and the second, on strengthening activities of local communities and NGOs. The G-77 and China accepted them in principle. Switzerland added a new (a)(bis) on access to education. Confusion reigned supreme as delegates were unclear whether they were discussing the chapeau, 4(a), 4(a)(bis) or another variation. In 4(b) (protection of disadvantaged groups), the EU added reference to equal opportunity measures. The G-77 and China suggested alternative language regarding the disadvantaged. The US said that the paragraph does not make a distinction between disadvantage and vulnerability. The US, supported by Japan, included women, minorities and youth among the groups enumerated. Iran opposed this reference. Belarus referred to the elderly and victims of war. The G-77 and China called for a reference to inter-generational dialogue. In 4(c) (cultural diversity), the G-77 and China’s addition of religious diversity and migrant workers and their families was accepted, notwithstanding the US amendment to qualify "adoption" with "promote." Costa Rica added ethnic diversity. In 4(d) (indigenous people), New Zealand, supported by Canada and Mexico, strengthened the reference to participation and self-sufficiency of indigenous people. The EU added a 4(dd) on the cultural and religious rights of minorities. In 4(e) (institutions that enhance social integration), the EU added a reference to the central role of the family, "in all its forms, which the G-77 and China opposed. The G-77 and China added a reference to a supportive environment. Belize, on behalf of the Caribbean Community and supported by Canada and Australia, recommended ICPD language regarding the plurality of family forms. The Holy See called for a definitional paragraph on the family. Australia added an (e)(bis) on the prevention of discrimination. Consensus was reached on G-77 and China and EU language on crime and violence. In 4(f) (ratification), the US replaced "encourage" with "urge." Paraguay referred to access to justice. The EU added "removal of reservation." The G-77 and China deleted "all" before "international instruments," added "all" before "human rights," and added a new (g) on international cooperation. Costa Rica proposed a (g)(bis) strengthening regional and subregional institutions. WORKING GROUP II PARAGRAPH 12: (interaction of market forces) In 12(c) (open market policy), the EU opposed the G-77 and China’s proposed deletion of "new suppliers" in reference to reduced barriers to entry. The EU added "national" corporations to the G-77 and China’s 12(d)(bis) call for transnational corporation compliance with national and international laws. In 12(e) (public and private investment), the G-77 and China reference to poverty eradication required brackets. In 12(f) (human resource development), the G-77 and China incorporated the EU call for capacity building, health education, empowerment and participation. The EU altered its proposed 12(f)(bis) (small scale economies) to refer to indigenous people’s economies. CHAPTER 13: (prevention of socially divisive disparities) The US, supported by the EU, proposed that the chapeau read: "ensuring fiscal systems and other public policies promote social cohesiveness and equality of opportunity." In 13(a) (creating an ethical climate), the Holy See’s addition of "families" was accepted. In 13(b) (ethical responsibility of business), the Holy See suggested addressing codes of conduct. In 13(f) (strengthening international tax agreements), the Russian Federation and Armenia opposed deleting "countries with economies in transition." The G-77 and China, Benin, and Algeria thought these countries should have their own paragraph. In 13(g) (fair tax systems), China, supported by the G-77, suggested establishing tax systems "in accordance with national priorities," but the EU found this unnecessary. The US, the EU, and Ukraine supported the Canadian formulation on strengthening administrative capacity. B: FAVOURABLE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL AND LEGAL ENVIRONMENT (Delegates accepted the G-77 and China’s title change.) PARAGRAPH 14: (political framework) In 14(a) (institutional capacity), the Canadian reference to "cultural sensitivity" was bracketed. The EU supported the Norwegian proposal for 14(a)(bis), to ensure the rule of law and democratic institutions, but the G-77 and China reserved. In 14(b) (rules and processes), the EU opposed the G-77 and China’s proposal to delete "adequate" rules and processes. In 14(c) (eliminating discrimination), the US agreed to a G-77 and China proposal to develop and encourage educational and media projects. In 14(d) (decentralization), Canada proposed that decentralization be compatible with the "cultural make- up of society," but the G-77 and China reserved. In 14(e) (freedom of association), delegates debated the necessity of the G-77 and China’s preface "in accordance with national laws and regulations." In 14(g) (full participation of women), the G-77 and China reserved on women’s involvement in policy monitoring. PARAGRAPH 15: (rights of individuals) Delegates accepted the G-77 and China’s proposals to include "all human rights and fundamental freedoms" and to delete "rights of individuals." In 15(a) (existing international rights conventions), China said that if there are no provisions in existing covenants for reports on implementation, reports do not have to be given. In 15(c) (protecting women’s rights), the US preferred "working to ensure" women’s rights. Norway incorporated its 15(c)(bis) reference to the Convention of the Rights of the Child into the EU’s 15(c) (women’s rights) proposal regarding the rights of the child. Canada supported a separate sub-paragraph on children’s rights. In 15(d) (justice system), the EU and US objected to the G-77 and China’s specification of a justice system "in particular [for] the vulnerable and disadvantaged." In 15(e) (civil society capacity), delegates accepted the Holy See’s call to support social development "by education and access to resources." The G-77 and China altered the EU-proposed 15(f), regarding discrimination and violence within families. PARAGRAPH 16: (open political and economic system) In a new 16(a), delegates expanded the Swiss call to strengthen the educational system. In 16(a) (media), the EU stressed using positive terms to encourage awareness-raising on non- violence, tolerance, and solidarity. PARAGRAPH 17: (promotion of favorable political and legal environment) Paragraph 17(a) (resolution of armed conflicts) was adopted ad referendum. In 17(b)(bis) (realization of the right to development), the EU, supported by the US, preferred "work to remove" such obstacles over "removing." In 17(e) (role of international organizations), the G-77 and China added reference to national and regional organizations, but the whole paragraph was bracketed. The G-77 and China, supported by the EU, wanted to include the right to development, while the US objected. Paragraph 17(f) (policies to support objectives of social development) was adopted ad referendum. CHAPTER II: ERADICATION OF POVERTY Basis for Action and Objectives PARAGRAPH 18: (people living in poverty) The G-77 and China preferred the original wording. Algeria favored keeping poverty in generic terms at this time. Mexico asked for the Latin American region to be included. PARAGRAPH 19: (manifestations of poverty) The G-77 and China supported the original draft, but Canada, the EU and others preferred their extensive amendments, which will be considered by the contact group. PARAGRAPH 20: (causes of poverty) Algeria stated that poverty is also due to the absence of development. China added national disasters, war and unreasonable international order to the list of causes, which was bracketed. The US proposal to delete "redistribute wealth and income to eliminate existing inequities" was also bracketed. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY WORKING GROUP I: The Working Group will continue consideration of the Commitments section. WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group will continue consideration of Chapter II. The Working Group’s informal- informal contact group will continue revising the reference paper distributed on Thursday morning (documentation of work to date) in order to remove as much bracketed language as possible. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) is written and edited by Johannah Bernstein , Anilla Cherian , Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" , Richard Jordan and Lynn Wagner . General funding for the Bulletin has been provided by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd@web.apc.org), the Government of Denmark and the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship Initiative.Funding for this volume of the Bulletin has been provided by CIDA, UNDP and the Government of the Netherlands. The authors can be contacted at their electronic mail addresses and by phone and fax at +1-212- 888-2737. IISD can be contacted by phone at +1-204-958-7700, by fax at +1-204-958-7710. The opinions expressed in Earth Negotiations Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of IISD and other funders. Excerpts from the Earth Negotiations Bulletin may be used in other publications with appropriate citation. Electronic versions of the Bulletin can be found on the gopher at and in searchable hyptertext through the Linkages WWW-server at on the Internet. This volume of the Bulletin is uploaded into the APC conferences and . The Earth Negotiations Bulletin may not be reproduced, reprinted or posted to any system or service outside of the APC networks and the ENB listserver, without specific permission from the International Institute for Sustainable Development. This limitation includes distribution via Usenet News, bulletin board systems, mailing lists, print media and broadcast. For more information, send a message to .