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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. [Return to start of article]