Daily report for 11 April 1994

WORKING GROUP I

XI. POPULATION, INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

In 11.1 (the role of information in public awareness), Canada andthe Holy See requested more emphasis on migration. Morocco referredto the role of religious leaders and Bolivia mentioned theimportance of cultural values. Nicaragua referred to information asa means of generating responsible behavior. In 11.2 (the role ofinformation in public consensus), many emphasized the importance ofresponsibility in child bearing, sexual behavior and lifestyles. In11.3 (channels of communication), Turkey, Vietnam and Indonesiaemphasized the role of religious institutions other than thechurch. Switzerland referred to the role of schools in instillingtolerance. The Holy See mentioned the importance of education inenvironmental awareness and devaluing over-consumption. Senegalreferred to the importance of interpersonal networks, especiallyamong adolescents.

In 11.4 (media technologies), Sweden mentioned the importance ofthe media in promoting democratic institutions. In 11.5(objectives), the Holy See, Turkey, Honduras and Nicaraguarequested that information dissemination on family planning focuson couples. Sweden, Switzerland and Finland called for an emphasison sexual and reproductive behavior as well. Canada and Swedenadded the promotion of better racial relationships and democraticinstitutions. In 11.6 (organizations responsible for theimplementation of objectives), Brazil highlighted the role of NGOsand communication specialists. Nepal added the role of women'sgroups. The Philippines, Bangladesh and Vietnam stressed the roleof parliamentarians. In 11.7 (communication strategies), the USstressed the importance of media accountability. Nicaraguaemphasized that strategies should focus on responsible sexualbehavior and marital relations. In 11.8 (target audience), Senegaladded women and Nicaragua added parents. Norway and Swedenhighlighted the importance of youth participation in planning,implementation and evaluation of the programmes.

In 11.9 (target audience), the EU included women and Nigeria calledfor innovation in information dissemination strategies. In 11.10(interpersonal relations), the EU emphasized the inclusion offamily planning as part of sexual and reproductive health. Swedenemphasized that services be non-coercive. In 11.12 (the role ofentertainment media), the Holy See asked that the public beinformed of the identity of information providers. In 11.13 (agentsinvolved in information dissemination), Morocco and Nepalemphasized the role of traditional healers, artists and NGOs.Turkey mentioned the role of trained local women leaders. In 11.14(the role of schooling), Honduras emphasized formal and informaleducation. Argentina and the Holy See emphasized parentalparticipation at all levels. The US called for sex education. Nigercalled for culturally-sensitive curricula and the need to trainteachers in environmental sustainability, STDs and gendersensitivity. Norway highlighted the need to educate affluentpopulations on the negative impacts of conspicuous consumption.Papua New Guinea highlighted the need to educate illiterate adultsabout population issues.

XVI. FOLLOW-UP TO THE CONFERENCE

A. National-level activity: Most delegations raised generalconcerns about the content and organization of this chapter. The USsaid that the text needs to focus less on the structure and more onfunctions, actors and strategies. The US proposed holding openinformal discussions to elaborate the main points to be revised.The G-77 said that it would be difficult for small delegations toattend informal sessions. Switzerland called for simple,transparent and gender-sensitive indicators for evaluation. Canadacalled for holistic and consistent evaluation methods.

In 16.1 (commitment at different organizational levels), Niue, onbehalf of the Pacific Island States, emphasized politicalcommitment by governments in designing, implementing and evaluatingpopulation activities. In 16.2 (achievement reports), the EU saidthat follow-up reports should be an integral part of the nationalsustainable development reports to be prepared as part of Agenda 21follow-up. In 16.4 (objectives), Norway referred to the importanceof accountability. In 16.8 (mechanisms for implementation), theG-77 emphasized the need for consistency with national policies. In16.9 (reports), many referred to the difficulties in preparingannual reports.

B. Activity at international level: In 16.10 (resources),the G-77 and Afghanistan referred to inefficient productionsubsidies in developed countries as one of the costs associatedwith the low funding for human resource-centered activities. In16.11 (objectives), the G-77 called for assistance for regional andsub-regional efforts. In 16.12 (financial commitment by developedcountries), the G-77 and the EU called for commitment byinternational finance institutions. In 16.13-15 (on the role of theGeneral Assembly), the EU invited the Secretary-General tocoordinate the different UN bodies with the international financialinstitutions. The G-77 requested ECOSOC to periodically reviewsystem-wide activities in the field of population and development.

INFORMAL SESSION: As a result of the large number ofquestions raised during Friday's discussion of Chapter XIII(National Action), Working Group I held an informal session Mondayafternoon so that the Secretariat could address delegates'concerns. Jyoti Singh from the Secretariat explained themethodology used in identifying the resource requirements for thevarious population programmes. These projections are based onresearch carried out over the last 15 years by the World Bank,UNFPA, the Population Council and other organizations. Singhannounced that the Secretariat will distribute a detailedbackground document explaining the methodology used. Singh alsocommented that paragraphs 13.13-19 can be moved to the Basis forAction section, as many delegates suggested. Then the section onaction could include a commitment to raise the necessary resources.

Some delegates questioned why the resource allocation figures onlyreflect population elements, but not development issues such as thestatus of women, migration and education. Singh responded thatthere is insufficient data in many of these areas. Singh alsoexplained that WHO and UNICEF figures could be included. However,the Secretariat has not yet developed a methodology for assessingthe costs of raising the status of women. He said that the 20/20formula may be useful here. Singh also commented that these figuresprimarily cover developing countries. Countries with economies intransition have been included, but those costs cover a shorterperiod of time and include fewer sectors.

Paragraph 13.20 states that developing countries will continue tomeet 2/3 of the costs themselves. Singh acknowledged that somecountries will require more international assistance than isprovided for by this formula. At the conclusion of the discussion,India proposed a new paragraph reflecting the linkages betweenpopulation, development and sustained economic growth and the needfor new and additional resources to promote total development indeveloping countries, which will ensure population stabilizationand sustainable development.

WORKING GROUP II

X. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION

A. International Migration and Development: In 10.1 (basis foraction), the Cook Islands stressed that countries of origin loseskilled labor. The EU emphasized that international migration mayincrease unemployment in countries of destination. The G-77 statedthat communities of destination continue to integrate migrantworkers and their families in a productive manner. In 10.2(maximizing the benefit of migration), the Holy See, Bolivia andthe EU referred to the root causes of involuntary migration. In10.3 (alleviation of uncontrolled migration), Canada suggested theneed for humane government policies. The US supported the referenceto environmental factors as a root cause. The US also called fordeletion of the reference to "international laws" in light of theabsence of international migration laws. The Cook Islands calledfor protection of the rights of indigenous peoples.

B. Documented migrants: In 10.7 (basis for action), the G-77stated that host societies should extend legal, social and economicrights to documented migrants. In 10.8 (integration of documentedmigrants), Turkey added reference to the importance of familyreunification. The EU added the need to protect againstethnocentrism. Canada said that the general public must be educatedregarding the benefits of migration in receiving countries. Swedenand Switzerland called for reference to female migrants andchildren. In 10.10 (extending civil and political rights todocumented migrants), the US called for specific reference togender discrimination. The EU added ethnocentrism. The G-77 addedgender-based and religious discrimination and reference to theimportance of government respect of cultural traditions. Japanwanted weaker language regarding governmental responsibility.

C. Undocumented migrants: In 10.12 (basis for action), theG-77 said that every State has a sovereign right to decide who canenter and stay in its territory. The EU requested deletion of thereference to the unwillingness of countries of destination to admitmore documented migrants. In 10.13 (elimination of undocumentedmigration), the Cook Islands requested reference to the sexualexploitation of undocumented migrants. Australia requestedreference to the traffic in male migrants. Malawi referred to childlabor-related abuse. In 10.14 (safeguarding the basic rights ofundocumented migrants), Canada referred to the right of asylum. TheHoly See called for special attention to the educational needs ofchildren and pre-natal care for women. In 10.15 (exploitation ofundocumented migrants), the G-77 called for reference toprostitution. The EU proposed that governments should makepotential migrants aware of the legal conditions for entry andresidence in host countries. The G-77 requested a new paragraph onthe monitoring of the conditions of migrants.

D. Refugees and asylum-seekers: In 10.17 (basis for action),the EU mentioned that refugee children are in vulnerablesituations. The G-77 added a paragraph on the right to return home.In 10.18 (the refugee problem), the G-77 proposed two newsub-paragraphs on the needs of refugees in the formulation ofdevelopment programmes. In 10.19 (root causes of refugeemovements), the US referred to poverty and environmentaldegradation. In 10.20 (international refugee support), the Holy Seecalled for prevention of refugee displacement by humanitarianintervention. Afghanistan suggested a new sub-paragraph on theremoval of landmines threatening the safety of returnees. Indiasought deletion of language linking rehabilitation assistance torepatriating refugees with long-term reconstruction and developmentplans.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

WORKING GROUP I: The Chair of Working Group I hopes to begina second reading of Chapter XII (Technology, Research andDevelopment) in the morning and Chapter XV (Partnership with theNon-Governmental Sector) in the afternoon. However, since therevised text of these two chapters will not be distributed untilthis morning, it is likely that some delegations will request timeto review the revised text. Look for a potentially long discussionon procedure and a possible postponement of the second readinguntil this afternoon or Wednesday.

WORKING GROUP II: Working Group II will not meet today,enabling delegates to review the revised version of Chapter IV(Gender Equity and Empowerment of Women). The Bureau will also holdinformal consultations with key delegations on the other chaptersunder Working Group II's mandate. The tentative schedule for thesecond reading is: Wednesday -- Chapters IV and V (The Family, itsRoles, Composition and Structure); Thursday -- Chapters VI(Population Growth and Structure) and IX (Population Distribution,Urbanization and Internal Migration); and Friday -- Chapters VII(Reproductive Rights, Reproductive Health and Family Planning) andVIII (Health and Mortality).

IN THE CORRIDORS: Look for delegates in the corridors to bediscussing the various options for institutional follow-up to theConference. The EU recommends the creation of a separate ExecutiveBoard of UNFPA. Both the EU and the G-77 believe that the GeneralAssembly and ECOSOC have a major role to play. "Other" countriesnot included in these two regional groups (US, Canada, Australia,New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Finland and others) may also bemeeting to develop their own joint position.

MEDIA BRIEFING: EarthAction will host an informal pressbriefing on the state-of-play of the negotiations at 11:00 am inthe UN Church Center Chapel at 777 UN Plaza.