Preparations for World Summit on Social Development highlight the need for integration of global issues

UNITED NATIONS -- Because it comes less than three years after the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and a few months before the scheduled 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, some critics have wondered why the United Nations is planning to hold next year a World Summit on Social Development (WSSD).

Didn't we already talk about development in Rio -- establishing that it should be "sustainable?", such commentators asked. And isn't the status of women among the most critical social issues, which is scheduled to be discussed in Beijing at the Women's Conference? And what is "social development" anyway?

But after the first meetings of the WSSD Preparatory Committee (Prepcom) here in New York in early February, it was clear that the Social Development conference had found a purpose -- although, of course, for many it had never been in doubt.

Both in the public deliberations of the Prepcom, as well as in private conversations in the hallways, there was a sense that the main currents of the Summit would flow from the concept of integration.

Specifically, participants expressed hope that the Summit will focus on integrating the various sectoral issues, such as environment, development, women, international finance, human rights, and population, that have been highlighted at Rio, and which remain on the agenda for the upcoming Women's conference, and for the World Population Conference, scheduled to be held in Cairo in September.

"The issues of Rio and Cairo and Beijing are in a way elements of the broader issue of social development," said Dr. Yogesh Atal, director of social science for the United Nations Scientific, Educational, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), who is coordinating WSSD work for UNESCO. "The other conferences are addressing those areas in which there is a crisis, and they have done much to highlight these crises. But in terms of an integrated approach, it all comes together in the framework of social development."

Summit Objectives

The Summit is scheduled to be held in Copenhagen in March 1995. Its objectives were established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1992. The Assembly decided that the WSSD should seek to address three core issues: 1) the enhancement of social integration, particularly of the more disadvantaged and marginalized groups; 2) the alleviation and reduction of poverty; and, 3) the expansion of productive employment.

During its two week meeting, which ran from 31 January to 11 February 1994, the Prepcom worked principally to outline the main elements for a proposed Declaration and Program of Action, which would be the Summit's main products.

As government delegations sought to better define the goals of the Summit, some differences of approach emerged. Following the pattern at recent United Nations world conferences, delegations from the North generally emphasized human rights and a focus on national measures for the alleviation of poverty, while Southern delegations sought to emphasize the need for adjustments in the global system of finance and trade, with the aim of addressing economic imbalances.

Nevertheless, the theme of integration was highlighted in a number of ways. The delegates agreed, for example, that "common aspects of the core issue should be emphasized and treated in an integrated manner" as documents are readied for the next Prepcom in August.

Speeches by the delegates struck similar notes. The Canadian statement was typical, saying that final Summit documents should incorporate "a conceptual framework that will enable all partners to deal with the complexities of social development in integrative ways based on an holistic understanding of people-centered development."

Non-governmental organizations, also, played a key role in underscoring the interdependence of social concerns.

"We join with those delegations that stressed the interrelatedness of issues as characterizing our present situation," said Lisinka Ulatowska, the United Nations representative for the World Citizens, an NGO with affiliates in more than 35 countries. "Social development is interrelated with economic development, justice, and human rights and responsibilities."

Jorge Durão, the president of the Brazilian Association of NGOs, said the confluence of world wide social problems is opening the way to a new "social alliance" between NGOs and governments, and between North and South. "We need not think only in terms of opposition between North and South, but in terms of cooperation between North and South. And this is the role of NGOs, to promote this idea of world or international citizenship."

Women's Caucus Highly Effective

Among the most effective and vocal groups representing civil society was the Women's Caucus, an ad hoc organization of some 100 women from 23 countries who met daily during the Prepcom and on 10 February issued a statement calling on governments to "conceptualize a new paradigm of development that is centered on the needs of women, youth and children."

Many NGOs also said that solutions to social problems lie not just in government action, but in a greater reliance on and involvement with civil society.

"The closer you are to a problem, the more you can see its various causes, so you need to consult with local people," said John Tomlinson, who represented the Syneros Institute at the Prepcom. Based in New York, the Syneros Institute works with anti-poverty NGOs in Africa and Latin America.

Lawrence Arturo, director of the Bahá'í International Community's Office of the Environment, said the high level of the discussions at the Prepcom has done much to boost the overall recognition of the role and importance of the Summit.

"In today's world, through many processes -- not the least of which was the Earth Summit -- we are coming to recognize and accept the global interdependence of peoples and countries everywhere," said Mr. Arturo. "To respond to this new reality, there is a need for global approaches and understanding in the fields of economics, politics, technology, environment, law, finance and the media.

"The critical link in all of this is the issue of social integration," Mr. Arturo said. "How do we encourage all of the diverse elements of humanity to cooperate fruitfully and harmoniously, whether at the local, national, regional or global level? If the Summit earnestly seeks an answer to this question, it will be successful beyond the hopes of its greatest supporters."


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