UN Human Rights Treaties

United Nations
E/1995/24
E/CN.5/1995/9
Commission for Social Development
Report on the thirty-fourth session
(10-20 April 1995)
Economic and Social Council
Official Records, 1995
Supplement No.4
E/1995/24
E/CN.5/1995/9
Commission for Social Development
Report on the thirty-fourth session
(10-20 April 1995)
Economic and Social Council
Official Records, 1995
Supplement No.4
United Nations • New York, 1995
NOTE
Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with
figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document.
ISSN 0251-964X
SUMMARY
At its thirty-fourth session, the Commission for Social Development
considered four main items: review of the world social situation; monitoring of
international plans and programmes of action; the priority subject, the World
Summit for Social Development; and programme questions and other matters.
In conjunction with its regular review of the world social situation, the
Commission considered, on the basis of the interim report on the World Social
Situation and from the perspective of the documentation required for effective
follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development, the purpose, structure and
content of the quadrennial reports on the world social situation, the next of
which is due in 1997.
Under the item on monitoring of international plans and programmes of
action, the Commission considered the report of the Secretary-General (A/50/114)
containing the conceptual framework for the preparation and observance of the
International Year of Older Persons (1999) as called for by the General Assembly
in its resolution 48/98. The Commission recommended to the Economic and Social
Council that the Council transmit to the General Assembly for adoption at its
fiftieth session a draft resolution entitled "International Year of Older
Persons: towards a society for all ages". By that resolution the Assembly
would, inter alia, take note of the conceptual framework and invite Member
States to adapt it to national conditions and to consider formulating national
programmes for the Year; and decide that henceforth the term "older persons"
would be substituted for the term "the elderly", with the result that the Year
and the Day concerned would be called the International Year of Older Persons
and the International Day of Older Persons.
In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/24 and
General Assembly resolution 49/152, the Commission considered further, as a
matter of priority, the draft world programme of action for youth to the
year 2000 and beyond. The Commission recommended that the Economic and Social
Council establish an open-ended working group on youth during the Council’s
resumed substantive session in September 1995, building upon the progress made
by the Open-ended Working Group set up by the Commission during its thirtyfourth
session, to complete formulation of the draft world programme of action
for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, for final action by the General Assembly
at its fiftieth session.
Regarding the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution
48/96, the Commission considered the report presented by the Special Rapporteur
appointed to assist the Commission in monitoring the Standard Rules, as set out
in section IV of the Rules. The Commission welcomed the general approach to
monitoring by the Special Rapporteur, which was to place emphasis on advice and
support to States, and, inter alia, urged States to continue their efforts to
implement the Rules and to participate actively in international cooperation
concerning policies for equalization of opportunities for persons with
disabilities and for improvement of living conditions of persons with
disabilities in developing countries. The Commission also strongly urged States
and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue cooperating
closely with the Special Rapporteur.
Under the same item, the Commission considered the current status of
implementation of General Assembly resolution 47/237 on the International Year
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the Family and took note of the intention of the Secretary-General to submit
to the Assembly, at its fiftieth session, his specific proposals on the followup
to the International Year of the Family, intended to serve as an indicative
guide for action, primarily at the national and local levels.
The Commission considered its priority subject, the World Summit for Social
Development, focusing on the arrangements for the implementation and follow-up
of the Copenhagen Declaration and the Programme of Action. It adopted a draft
resolution on the follow-up to the World Summit transmitting its views and
considerations to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session
of 1995. These views included, inter alia, the recognition that the Commission
for Social Development should have a central role in the follow-up to the Summit
and that it should be in a position to increase the added value of its
contributions to international cooperation for social development. The draft
resolution also called for the review by the Economic and Social Council of the
mandate, agenda and composition of the Commission, including an expansion of its
membership and the annualization of its meetings; the practice of opening its
debates to experts and the main actors of civil society in the field of social
development was also recommended.
Under the item on programme and other matters, the Commission reviewed the
proposed work programme of the Division for Social Policy and Development for
the biennium 1996-1997. It decided to transmit to the Council in 1995 and
requested the Secretariat to make available to the Committee on Programme and
Coordination, at its thirty-fifth session, the views expressed and comments made
during the debate by the Commission on this topic.
Under this item, also, the Commission took note of the report of the Board
of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development. The Commission
nominated, for confirmation by the Council, five candidates for membership in
the Board of the Institute, as well as five candidates for re-nomination for a
further term of two years.
Finally, the Commission recommended to the Economic and Social Council a
provisional agenda and documentation for its next (thirty-fifth) session. The
proposed agenda, reflecting changes in the light of the decisions of the World
Summit for Social Development, is built around two principal elements - namely,
follow-up to the Summit and monitoring of other international plans and
programmes of action in the social area.
-ivCONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION ............................... 1
A. Draft resolution for adoption by the Council .................. 1
B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council .................... 3
C. Resolution calling for action by the Council .................. 5
D. Decision calling for action by the Council .................... 37
E. Resolutions and decision brought to the attention
of the Council ................................................ 37
II. REVIEW OF THE WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION .............................. 46
III. MONITORING OF INTERNATIONAL PLANS AND PROGRAMMES OF ACTION ........ 47
IV. PRIORITY SUBJECT: WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ............ 59
V. PROGRAMME QUESTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS: (a) PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE
AND IMPLEMENTATION; (b) PROPOSED PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR THE
BIENNIUM 1996-1997; (c) UNITED NATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ................................................ 61
VI. PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION OF
THE COMMISSION .................................................... 63
VII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS
THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION ............................................. 64
VIII. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION ....................................... 65
A. Opening and duration of the session ........................... 65
B. Attendance .................................................... 65
C. Election of officers .......................................... 65
D. Agenda ........................................................ 65
E. Organization of work .......................................... 65
F. Statement by the Under-Secretary-General ...................... 66
G. Appointment of the Chairmen of the Working Groups ............. 66
H. Documentation ................................................. 66
I. Consultations with non-governmental organizations ............. 66
-vCONTENTS
(continued)
Annexes
Page
I. ATTENDANCE ........................................................ 67
II. AGENDA ............................................................ 70
III. LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT ITS THIRTY-FOURTH
SESSION ........................................................... 71
-viChapter
I
MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION
A. Draft resolution for adoption by the Council
1. The Commission for Social Development recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft resolution:
DRAFT RESOLUTION
International Year of Older Persons: towards a
society for all ages*
The Economic and Social Council
Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following draft
resolution:
International Year of Older Persons: towards a
society for all ages
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 47/5 of 16 October 1992, by which the
Assembly decided to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of
Older Persons,
Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/22 of
27 July 1993, in which the Council invited Member States to strengthen
their national mechanisms on ageing, inter alia, to enable them to serve as
national focal points for the preparations for and observance of the Year,
Recalling further its resolution 45/106 of 14 December 1990, in which
it recognized the complexity and rapidity of the ageing of the world’s
population and the need to have a common basis and frame of reference for
the protection and promotion of the rights of older persons, including the
contribution that older persons could and should make to society,
Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 49/162 of
23 December 1994, entitled "Integration of older women in development",
1. Takes note of the conceptual framework of a programme for the
preparation and observance of the International Year of Older Persons in
1999, as contained in the report of the Secretary-General; 1/
2. Invites Member States to adapt the conceptual framework to
national conditions and to consider formulating national programmes for the
Year;
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. C.
1/ A/50/114.
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3. Also invites the United Nations organizations and bodies
concerned to examine the conceptual framework and identify areas for
expanding upon it in keeping with their mandates;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to monitor activities for the Year
and to make appropriate coordinating arrangements, bearing in mind that the
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the
Secretariat has been designated the United Nations focal point on ageing;
5. Encourages the Secretary-General to allocate sufficient resources
for promoting and coordinating activities for the Year, bearing in mind its
resolution 47/5, in which it was decided that observance of the Year would
be supported by the regular programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999;
6. Invites Member States, United Nations organizations and bodies
and non-governmental organizations to assist the global coordinating entity
for the Year;
7. Invites the regional commissions, within the existing mandates,
to bear in mind the goals of the Year in convening regional meetings in
1998 and 1999 at which to mark the Year and formulate action plans on
ageing for the twenty-first century;
8. Encourages relevant United Nations funds and programmes and the
specialized agencies to support local, national and international
programmes and projects for the Year;
9. Encourages the United Nations Development Programme to continue
to ensure that the concerns of older persons are integrated into its
development programmes;
10. Invites the International Research and Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women, the United Nations Research Institute for Social
Development and other relevant research institutes to consider preparing
studies on the four facets of the conceptual framework, namely, the
situation of older persons, the life course, multigenerational
relationships and the relationship between population ageing and
development, and requests the International Research and Training Institute
for the Advancement of Women to continue its research on the situation of
older women, including those in the informal sector;
11. Encourages the Department of Public Information of the
Secretariat to launch, within existing resources, an information campaign
for the Year;
12. Invites the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to
continue its work on ageing and the situation of older persons, as covered
in the report of the Committee; 2/
13. Invites non-governmental organizations to develop programmes and
projects for the Year, particularly at the local level, in cooperation,
inter alia, with local authorities, community leaders, enterprises, the
media and schools;
2/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement
No. 3 (E/1994/23).
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14. Decides that henceforth the term "older persons" should be
substituted for the term "the elderly", in conformity with the United
Nations Principles for Older Persons, 3/ with the result that the Year
and the Day concerned shall be called the International Year of Older
Persons and the International Day of Older Persons, respectively;
15. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-second session on the preparations being made by Member
States, United Nations organizations and bodies and non-governmental
organizations for the observance of the Year.
B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council
2. The Commission for Social Development recommends to the Economic and Social
Council the adoption of the following draft decision:
Report of the Commission for Social Development on its
thirty-fourth session and provisional agenda and
documentation for its thirty-fifth session*
The Economic and Social Council:
(a) Takes note of the report of the Commission for Social Development at
its thirty-fourth session, 4/ and endorses the resolutions and decisions
adopted by the Commission;
(b) Approves the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-fifth
session of the Commission set out below:
PROVISIONAL AGENDA AND DOCUMENTATION FOR THE
THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION FOR
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
The Commission will establish an in-session open-ended ad hoc working
group for the purpose of carrying out the fourth review and appraisal of
the International Plan of Action on Ageing and reviewing preparations for
the observance of the International Year of Older Persons in 1999.
3. Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development.
(a) Implications of decisions and resolutions adopted by the Economic
and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 and the General
* For the discussion, see chap. VI.
3/ General Assembly resolution 46/91, annex.
4/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1995, Supplement
No. 4 (E/1995/24).
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Assembly at its fiftieth session that relate to the Commission for Social
Development;
(b) Priority subjects encompassing the core issues, commitments and
related issues of the World Summit;
(c) Review of the progress made in the implementation and follow-up
of the Copenhagen Declaration and the Programme of Action of the World
Summit for Social Development, including reports of relevant bodies of the
United Nations system, taking into account relevant decisions and
resolutions of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council;
(d) Review of the world social situation.
Documentation
Report of the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the World Summit
for Social Development
Report on the World Social Situation, 1997
4. Monitoring of other international plans and programmes of action.
The Commission will carry out the fourth quadrennial review of the
International Plan of Action on Ageing and the third quinquennial review of
the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and will consider
the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on progress in the
implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities
for Persons with Disabilities. The Commission will also review follow-up
arrangements for the International Year of the Family, as well as the world
programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond and the
International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.
The Commission will review concurrently the relevant activities of the
Secretariat and receive reports from the regional commissions on their
social development and social welfare activities, as well as reports on
relevant expert group meetings.
Documentation
Report of the Secretary-General on the fourth review and appraisal of
the International Plan of Action on Ageing
Report of the Secretary-General on the third review and appraisal of
the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons
Report of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on progress in the
implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation and follow-up of
the world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond
Report of the Secretary-General on the major issues and programme
activities of the Secretariat and the regional commissions relating to
social development and welfare and specific social groups
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5. Other matters.
Documentation
Note by the Secretary-General on the proposed programme budget for the
biennium 1998-1999
Note by the Secretary-General on the nomination of members of the
board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
Report of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for
Social Development
6. Provisional agenda for the thirty-sixth session of the Commission.
7. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its thirty-fifth session.
C. Resolution calling for action by the Council
3. The following resolution adopted by the Commission for Social Development
calls for action by the Economic and Social Council:
Resolution 34/1. Tenth anniversary of the International Youth
Year and world programme of action for youth
to the year 2000 and beyond*
The Commission for Social Development,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/103 of 14 December 1990, in which
the Assembly decided, inter alia, to devote a plenary meeting at its fiftieth
session to youth questions, as 1995 marked the tenth anniversary of
International Youth Year,
Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/85 of 16 December 1992, in
which the Assembly emphasized the need for the preparation of a world programme
of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, with a target orientation and
within a specific time-frame,
Bearing in mind that, in resolution 49/152, the General Assembly:
(a) Requested the Commission for Social Development at its thirty-fourth
session to consider further the draft world programme of action for youth to the
year 2000 and beyond, as a matter of priority, and to submit it, through the
Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session,
(b) Decided to devote up to four plenary meetings at its fiftieth session
to mark the anniversary of International Youth Year and to consider the world
programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond with a view to
adopting it,
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. B.
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(c) Invited Member States to participate in the plenary meetings at a high
political level and requested the Secretary-General to schedule those meetings
as close as possible to 24 October 1995 to facilitate such participation,
(d) Decided to designate, in 1995, an international youth day at the
fiftieth session of the General Assembly,
Mindful that the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1993/24,
called upon the Commission for Social Development to give priority at its
thirty-fourth session to the refinement of the draft world programme of action
for youth to the year 2000 and beyond and to establish an ad hoc informal
open-ended working group on youth for this purpose, with a view to formulating a
final draft to be submitted to the Economic and Social Council in 1995 and to
the General Assembly at its fiftieth session,
Considering that the Economic and Social Council in its resolution 1993/24
requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States on the United
Nations statement of intent on youth, which could become an integral part of the
world programme of action for youth,
Having considered the report of the Chairman of the Open-ended Working
Group on Youth,* established by the Commission at its thirty-fourth session to
formulate a final draft of the world programme of action for youth, to be
submitted to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995
and to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session,
Aware of the need for an extended time-frame in the light of the conditions
and considerations set out in the report of the Working Group,
Recognizing the urgency of formulating the final draft of the world
programme of action for youth to be considered by the General Assembly at
high-level meetings at its fiftieth session, with a view to adopting it, in
conformity with its resolution 49/152,
1. Recognizes the important work that the Open-ended Working Group on
Youth has done in revising the draft world programme of action for youth to the
year 2000 and beyond, in spite of the delay in the availability of the relevant
document, which made it impossible for the Working Group to complete its work;
2. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council establish an openended
working group on youth during its resumed substantive session in
September 1995, building upon the progress made by the Open-ended Working Group
set up by the Commission during its thirty-fourth session, to complete the
formulation of the draft world programme of action for youth to the year 2000
and beyond;
3. Recommends to the Economic and Social Council, for that purpose, that
the Open-ended Working Group on Youth established by the Commission undertake
informal consultations on the formulation of the final draft of the world
programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond for submission to the
Council at its substantive session;
* See chap. III, para. 16.
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4. Encourages the Open-ended Working Group to incorporate in the final
draft of the programme of action the main elements of the internationally agreed
issues regarding youth as set out in the final documents of the International
Conference on Population and Development, the World Summit for Social
Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to schedule the high-level plenary
meetings of the Assembly, as decided by the Assembly in its resolution 49/152,
to take place following the resumed session of the Economic and Social Council;
6. Invites Member States that have not yet done so, to submit their
national reports to mark the tenth anniversary of International Youth Year;
7. Decides to consider the follow-up of the world programme of action for
youth at its thirty-fifth session.
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Annex
DRAFT WORLD PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR YOUTH
TO THE YEAR 2000 AND BEYOND
CONTENTS
Page
PREAMBLE ......................................................... 9
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE ............................................. 10
I. UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION OF INTENT ON YOUTH: PROBLEMS AND
POTENTIALS ....................................................... 10
II. DEVELOPMENT SETTING .............................................. 13
III. STRATEGIES AND POLICY SPECIFICS .................................. 13
IV. PRIORITY AREAS ................................................... 15
A. Education .................................................... 15
B. Employment ................................................... 18
C. Hunger and poverty ........................................... 19
D. Health ....................................................... 21
E. Environment .................................................. 24
F. Drug abuse ................................................... 25
G. Juvenile delinquency ......................................... 27
H. Leisure-time activities ...................................... 28
I. Girls and young women ........................................ 29
J. Full and effective participation of youth in the life of
society and in decision-making ............................... 30
V. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION .......................................... 30
A. National level ............................................... 31
B. Regional cooperation ......................................... 31
C. International cooperation .................................... 32
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PREAMBLE (TO BE CONSIDERED, INCLUDING PARAGRAPHS 1-5)
1. The decade since the observance of International Youth Year:
Participation, Development, Peace has been a period during which the world
experienced fundamental political, economic and socio-cultural changes. These
changes will inevitably affect at least the first decade of the twenty-first
century as well.
2. Young people represent agents, beneficiaries and victims of major societal
changes and are generally confronted by a paradox: to seek to be integrated
into an existing order or to serve as a force to transform that order. Young
people in all parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of
development and in different socio-economic settings, aspire to full
participation in the life of society. This would include:
(a) Attainment of an educational level commensurate with their
aspirations;
(b) Access to employment opportunities equal to their abilities;
(c) Food and nutrition adequate for full participation in the life of
society;
(d) A physical and social environment that promotes good health and
protection from disease and addiction;
(e) Fundamental freedoms and basic rights without distinction as to race,
sex, language, religion;
(f) Participation in decision-making processes, including the right to
voluntary membership in representative, democratically elected organizations of
young people;
(g) Places and facilities for cultural and sports activities.
3. Governments are urged to consider the following measures as a basis for the
implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and
Beyond:
(a) Promoting new opportunities for young people for full and effective
participation in the life of society and in decision-making;
(b) Promoting expanded opportunities for young people for productive and
gainful employment;
(c) Integrating youth-related concerns in national development policies
and plans;
(d) Protecting young people from harmful drugs and the effects of
addiction to tobacco and alcohol;
(e) Fostering mutual respect and understanding among young people with
different racial and religious backgrounds;
(f) Encouraging increased public access to timely and relevant data on the
situation and needs of young people;
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(g) Fostering a greater sense of peace and mutual understanding between
nations through expanded opportunities for education, action and technical
exchanges among young people;
(h) Ensuring an appropriate focus in population activities on young people
and the inclusion of young people as agents in promoting population and family
life education, information and communication programmes;
(i) Encouraging active engagement in environmental education and action
among young people;
(j) Fostering equal access by girls and young women in education and
employment and their full participation in the life of society.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
(TO BE CONSIDERED WITH THE PREAMBLE)
4. The World Programme of Action for Youth provides a policy framework and
practical guidelines for national action and international support to improve
the situation of young people. It contains proposals for action to the year
2000 and beyond aiming at achieving the objectives of the International Youth
Year and at fostering conditions and mechanisms to promote improved well-being
and livelihood among young people.
5. The Programme of Action focuses in particular on measures to strengthen
national capacities in the field of youth and to increase the quality and
quantity of opportunities available to young people for full, effective and
constructive participation in society.
I. UNITED NATIONS DECLARATION OF INTENT ON YOUTH:
PROBLEMS AND POTENTIALS
(PARAGRAPHS 1 and 2 ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
1. States Members of the United Nations have agreed to work towards
achievement of the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
inter alia the promotion of higher standards of living, full employment, and
conditions of economic and social progress and development. Young people in all
parts of the world, living in countries at different stages of development and
in different socio-economic situations, aspire towards full participation in the
life of society, as provided in the Charter of the United Nations, including:
(a) Attainment of an educational level commensurate with their
aspirations;
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
(b) Access to employment opportunities equal to their abilities;
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
(c) Food and nutrition adequate for full participation in the life of
society;
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
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(d) A physical and social environment that promotes good health and
protection from disease and addiction and that is free from all types of
violence;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(e) Human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction as to race,
sex, language, religion or any other forms of discrimination;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(f) Participation in decision-making processes;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(g) Places and facilities for cultural, recreational and sports activities
to improve the living standards of young people in both rural and urban areas.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
2. While the peoples of the United Nations, through their Governments,
international organizations and voluntary associations, have done much to ensure
that these aspirations may be achieved, including efforts to implement the
guidelines for further planning and suitable follow-up in the field of youth
endorsed by the General Assembly in 1985, it is apparent that the changing world
social, economic and political situation has created the following conditions
that have made this goal more difficult to achieve in many countries:
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(a) Growing claims on the physical and financial resources of States
resulting from rapid increases in the youth population, [the burden of external
debt] particularly in developing countries;
(ADOPTED EXCEPT BRACKETS)
(b) Inequities in social, economic and political conditions, including
racism and xenophobia, that lead to increasing hunger, deterioration in living
conditions and poverty among youth and to their marginalization as refugees,
displaced persons and migrants;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(c) Increasing difficulty for young people returning from armed conflict
and confrontation to be integrated into the community, and access to education
and employment;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(d) Continuing discrimination against young women and insufficient access
by young women to equal opportunities in employment and education;
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
(d bis) High levels of youth unemployment, including long term
unemployment;
(NEW AMENDMENT ADOPTED)
(e) Continuing deterioration of the global environment resulting from
unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, particularly in
industrialized countries, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating
poverty and imbalances;
(NEW AMENDMENT ADOPTED)
(f in E/CN.5/1995/3) Deleted;
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(g) Increasing incidence of diseases, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, and
other threats to health, such as substance abuse and psychotropic substance
addiction, smoking and alcoholism;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(h) Inadequate opportunities for vocational education and training,
especially for persons with disabilities;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(i) Changes in the role of the family as a vehicle for shared
responsibility and socialization of youth;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
(j) The lack of opportunity for young people to participate in the life of
society and contribute to its development and well-being;
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT)
(k) The prevalence of debilitating disease, hunger and malnutrition that
engulfs the life of many young people;
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
(l) The increasing difficulty for young people to receive family life
education as a basis for forming healthy families that foster sharing of
responsibilities.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
(PARAGRAPHS 3 and 4 NOT YET ADOPTED/TO BE CONSIDERED LATER)
[3. These phenomena, among others, are contributing to increased
marginalization of young people from the larger society, which depends on youth
for its continual renewal.]
[4. We, the peoples of the United Nations, through our national Governments,
our international organizations and our voluntary efforts designed to improve
the welfare of the community, believe that the following undertakings are
integral to the World Programme of Action for Youth:
(a) Every State should provide its young people with opportunities for
their full participation in the life of society, including education leading to
productive and satisfying employment;
(b) Every State should protect young people from harmful drugs and the
effects of addiction to drugs, tobacco and alcohol;
(c) Every State should foster mutual respect and understanding among young
people with different racial and religious backgrounds;
(d) Every State should ensure that its declared policies concerning youth
are consistent with international instruments governing human rights;
(e) Every State should ensure public access to accurate data on the
situation and needs of its young people;
(f) Every State is encouraged to foster education and action, such as
youth exchanges, among youth with a view to fostering a spirit of peace and
mutual understanding between nations;
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(g) Every State needs to better aim population activities to young people
and to better include young people as agents in promoting population and family
life education, information and communication programmes;
(h) Environmental protection and enhancement are among the issues
considered by young people to be of prime importance to the future welfare of
society. Therefore, States and young people, including youth organizations,
should actively engage in environmental education and action;
(i) States and young people should foster equal access to education and
employment for girls and young women.]
II. DEVELOPMENT SETTING
(TO BE CONSIDERED)
6. In 1995, the world youth population - defined by the United Nations as the
age cohort 15-24 - is estimated to be 1.03 billion, or 18 per cent of the total
world population. The majority of the world youth population (84 per cent in
1995) lives in developing countries. This figure is projected to increase to
89 per cent in 2025. The difficult circumstances that people experience in many
developing countries are often even more difficult for young people because of
limited opportunities for education and training, viable employment and health
and social services, and because of a growing incidence of substance abuse and
juvenile delinquency. Many developing countries are also experiencing
unprecedented rates of rural-urban migration by young people.
7. Young people in industrialized countries comprise a relatively smaller
proportion of the total population because of generally lower birth rates and
higher levels of life expectancy. They are a social group that faces particular
problems and uncertainties regarding its future, problems that relate in part to
limited opportunities for appropriate employment.
8. Young people in all countries are both a major human resource for
development and key agents for social change, economic development and
technological innovation. Their imagination, ideals, considerable energies and
vision are essential for the continuing development of the societies in which
they live. The problems that young people face as well as their vision and
aspirations are an essential component of the challenges and prospects of
today’s societies and future generations as well. Thus, there is special need
for new impetus to be given to the design and implementation of youth policies
and programmes at all levels. The ways in which the challenges and potentials
of young people are addressed by policy will influence current social and
economic conditions and the well-being and livelihood of future generations.
III. STRATEGIES AND POLICY SPECIFICS
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
9. The General Assembly endorsed the Declaration on the Promotion among Youth
of the Ideals of Peace, Mutual Respect and Understanding between Peoples in
1965. 5/ From 1965 to 1975, both the General Assembly and the Economic and
Social Council emphasized three basic themes in the field of youth:
5/ General Assembly resolution 2037 (XX).
-13-
participation, development and peace. The need for an international policy on
youth was emphasized as well. In 1979, the General Assembly, by resolution
34/151, designated 1985 as International Youth Year: Participation,
Development, Peace. In 1985, by resolution 40/14, the Assembly endorsed the
guidelines for further planning and suitable follow-up in the field of youth
(A/40/256, annex). The guidelines are significant for their focus on young
people as a broad category comprising various subgroups, rather than a single
demographic entity. They provide proposals for specific measures to address the
needs of such subgroups as young people with disabilities, rural and urban
youth, and young women.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
10. The themes identified by the General Assembly for International Youth
Year - namely, participation, development and peace - reflect a predominant
concern of the international community with distributive justice, popular
participation and quality of life. These were reflected in the guidelines, and
they represent overall themes of the World Programme of Action for Youth as
well.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
11. The World Programme of Action for Youth also builds upon other, recent
international instruments, including the Rio Declaration on Environment and
Development, adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, 6/ the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the
World Conference on Human Rights, 7/ the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development, 8/ the Copenhagen
Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World
Summit for Social Development, 9/ and the Platform for Action adopted by the
Fourth World Conference on Women.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
12. The World Programme of Action for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond is
drawn from these general and specific international instruments related to youth
policies and programmes. The Programme of Action is significant because it
provides a cross-sectoral standard relating to both policy-making and programme
design and delivery. It will serve as a model for integrated actions, at all
levels, to address more effectively problems experienced by young people in
various settings and to enhance their participation in society.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
13. The World Programme of Action for Youth is divided into three phases: the
first phase focuses on analysis and on drafting the Programme of Action and its
6/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the
Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum),
resolution 1, annex I.
7/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna,
14-25 June 1993 (A/CONF.157/24 (Part I)), chap. III.
8/ Report of the International Conference on Population and Development,
Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 (A/CONF.171/13 and Add.1), chap. I, resolution 1,
annex.
9/ Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen,
6-12 March 1995 (A/CONF.166/9), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
-14-
adoption by the General Assembly at its fiftieth session, in 1995; the second
phase is concerned with world-wide implementation of the Programme of Action to
the year 2000; the third phase, covering the period 2001 to 2010, will focus on
further implementation and evaluation of progress made and obstacles
encountered; it will suggest appropriate adjustments to long-term objectives and
specific measures to improve the situation of young people in the societies in
which they live.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
IV. PRIORITY AREAS
14. Each of the eight priority areas identified by the international community
is presented in terms of principal issues, specific objectives and the actions
proposed to be taken by various actors to achieve those objectives. Objectives
and actions reflect the three themes of International Youth Year:
Participation, Development, Peace; they are interlinked and mutually
reinforcing.
15. The eight priority areas identified by the international community are
education, employment, hunger and poverty, health, environment, drug abuse,
juvenile delinquency and leisure-time activities. The Programme of Action will
permit the incorporation of new priorities which may be identified in the future
during monitoring and evaluation.
A. Education
16. Although progress towards universal basic education, including literacy,
has been impressive in recent times, the number of illiterate people will
continue to grow and many developing countries are likely to fall short of
universal primary education by the year 2000. Three main concerns regarding
current systems of education may be expressed. The first is the inability of
many parents in developing countries to send their children to schools because
of local economic and social conditions. The second concerns the paucity of
educational opportunities for girls and young women, migrants, refugees,
displaced persons, street children, indigenous youth minorities, young people in
rural areas and young people with disabilities. The third concerns the quality
of education, its relevance to employment and its usefulness for assisting young
people in the transition to full adulthood, active citizenship [and productive
and gainful] employment.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
17. To encourage the development of educational and training systems more in
line with the current and future needs of young people and their societies, it
would be helpful to share experience and to investigate alternative
arrangements, such as informal arrangements for the provision of basic literacy,
job skills training and lifelong education.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
[17 bis. Opportunities for young people to pursue advanced or university
education, or engage in research or be trained for self-employment are
especially rare in developing countries. Given the economic problems faced by
such countries and the inadequacy of international assistance in this area, it
is difficult to provide appropriate training for all young people, even though
they are a country’s chief economic asset.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/BENIN PROPOSAL)
-15-
Proposals for action
1. Improving the level of basic education, skill training and
literacy among youth
18. Priority should be given to achieving the goal of ensuring basic education
for all (including literacy), mobilizing for that purpose all channels, agents
and forms of education and training, in line with the concept of lifelong
education. Special emphasis should also be given to the reform of education
content and curricula, especially curricula that reinforce traditional female
roles that deny women opportunities for full and equal partnership in society,
at all levels, etc. focusing on scientific literacy, human moral values and
learning of skills, adapted to the changing environment and to life in
multi-ethnic societies and pluri-cultural societies. The importance of the
development of information skills, that is skills for researching, accessing and
using information, and informatics should be emphasized along with the
importance of distance education. Non-governmental youth organizations and
education organizations should develop youth-to-youth programmes for basic
education, skill training and literacy. Consideration should be given to
developing programmes enabling retired and elderly people to teach literacy to
young people. Particular attention should be given to specific groups of youth
in distressed circumstances, including indigenous, migrant and refugee youth,
displaced persons, street children and poor youth in urban and rural areas, as
well as to special problems, including literacy problems, for blind youth and
youth with other disabilities.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
2. Cultural heritage and contemporary patterns of society
19. Governments should establish or strengthen programmes to educate young
people in the cultural heritage of their societies and other societies and the
world. Governments should institute, in cooperation with non-governmental youth
organizations, travel and exchange programmes and youth camps to help youth
understand cultural diversity at both the national and international levels,
develop intercultural learning skills and participate in the preservation of the
cultural heritage of their societies and other societies and the world around
them. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), in cooperation with interested Governments and non-governmental
organizations, is requested to expand international programmes, such as youth
camps, by which young people, particularly from developing countries, with
different cultures may help restore major international cultural sites and
engage in other cultural activities.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
3. Promoting mutual understanding and the ideals of peace and
tolerance among youth
20. [The changing world conditions and the social fabric of many countries has
caused an increase in youth violence.] Programmes aimed at learning peacemaking
and dispute and conflict resolution should be encouraged and designed by
Governments for introduction to schools at all levels. [Such educational
programmes should promote and strengthen respect for all human rights and
fundamental freedoms.] From elementary levels, children and youth should be
[informed of cultural differences in their own societies and] given
-16-
opportunities to learn about different cultures and forms of social life other
than their own.]
(TO BE RECONSIDERED)
4. Vocational and professional training
21. [Governments and educational institutions, in cooperation with regional and
international organizations, could establish or enhance vocational and technical
training that is relevant to current and prospective employment conditions.
[Youth must be given the opportunity to access vocational and professional
training and apprenticeship programmes that help them acquire entry-level jobs
with growth opportunities and the ability to adjust to changes in labour
demand.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED)
[4 bis. Promoting human rights education]
[Governments should ensure that the United Nations Decade for Human Rights
Education (1995-2005) is adequately observed in schools and educational
institutions, bearing in mind that youth must be made aware of their social,
cultural, economic, political and civil rights in order to develop harmonious
inter-community relations, mutual tolerance and understanding.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/G-77 PROPOSAL)
5. Training for enterprise programmes
22. Governments, in cooperation with regional and international organizations,
should formulate model programmes of training for youth in individual and
cooperative enterprises. They are encouraged to establish self-contained
enterprise centres where young people may plan and test their enterprise venture
concepts.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
6. Infrastructure for training youth workers and youth leaders
23. Governments should assess the adequacy of facilities and programmes to
train youth workers and youth leaders, including the adequacy of curricula and
staff resources. On the basis of such assessments, Governments should plan and
implement relevant training programmes. Non-governmental youth organizations
should be encouraged and assisted to formulate and disseminate model training
courses for use by member organizations.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
24. [Interested organizations should investigate the establishment of an
international youth worker and youth leadership training institute, with
priority given to accepting participants from developing countries. In
cooperation with concerned organizations that provide training opportunities for
youth, including internships and volunteer programmes, the institute should
establish an inventory of system-wide guidelines for such programmes.]
(TO BE RECONSIDERED)
25. [Governments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations are
called upon to assist young people in developing countries to obtain places at
-17-
suitable training institutions in developed countries or other parts of the
developing world.]
(TO BE RECONSIDERED)
B. Employment
26. Unemployment and underemployment among youth is a problem everywhere. It
is, indeed, part of the larger struggle to create employment opportunities for
all citizens. The problem has worsened in recent years because of the global
recession, which has affected developing countries the most. The disturbing
fact is that economic growth is not always accompanied by growth in employment.
The difficulty of finding suitable employment is compounded by a host of other
problems confronting young people, including illiteracy and insufficient
training, and is worsened by periods of world economic slow-down and overall
changing economic trends. In some countries, the influx of young people into
the employment market has carried acute problems. According to estimates of the
International Labour Organization (ILO), more than 100 million new jobs would
have to be created within the next 20 years in order to provide suitable
employment for the growing number of young people in the economically active
populations of developing countries. The situation of girls and young women, as
well as of young people with disabilities, refugee youth, displaced persons,
street children, indigenous youth, migrant youth and minorities warrants urgent
attention, bearing in mind the prohibition of forced labour and child labour.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
27. The crisis of youth unemployment is also a crisis of opportunities for
young people to acquire independently the minimum means of accommodation and
housing necessary for setting up families and participate in the life of
society. Advances in technology and communications, coupled with improved
productivity, have imposed new challenges as well as new opportunities for
employment. Young people are among the most severely affected by these
developments. If effective solutions are not found, the costs to society will
be much higher in the long run. Unemployment creates a wide range of social
ills and young people are particularly susceptible to its damaging effects: the
lack of skill development, low self-esteem, marginalization, impoverishment and
the wasting of an enormous human resource.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
Proposals for action
1. Opportunities for self-employment
28. Governments and organizations should create or promote grant schemes to
provide seed money to encourage and support enterprise and employment programmes
for young people. Businesses and enterprises could be encouraged to provide
counterpart financial and technical support for such schemes. Cooperative
schemes involving young people in production and marketing of goods and services
could be considered. Formation of youth development banks could be considered.
The Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives is encouraged to
develop models for cooperatives run by youth in developed and developing
countries. Such models could include guidelines for management training and
training in entrepreneurial techniques and marketing.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
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2. Employment opportunities for specific groups of the
youth population
29. Within funds designated to promote youth employment, Governments should, as
appropriate, designate resources for programmes supporting the efforts of young
women, young people with disabilities, youth returning from military service,
migrant youth, refugee youth, displaced persons, street children and indigenous
youth. Youth organizations and youth themselves should be directly involved in
the planning and implementation of these programmes.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
3. Voluntary community services involving youth
30. Where they do not yet already exist, Governments should consider the
establishment of youth voluntary service programmes. Such programmes could
provide alternatives to military service, or might constitute a required element
in educational curricula, depending on national policies and priorities. Youth
camps, community service projects, environmental protection and
intergenerational cooperation programmes should be included among the
opportunities offered. Youth organizations should be directly involved in
designing, planning, implementing and evaluating such voluntary service
programmes. In addition, international cooperation programmes organized between
youth organizations in developed and developing countries should be included to
promote intercultural understanding and development training.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
4. Needs created by technological changes
31. Governments, in particular those of developed countries, should encourage
the creation of employment opportunities for young people in fields that are
rapidly evolving as a result of technological innovation. A subset of the
employment data compiled by Governments should track the employment of youth
into those fields marked by newly emerging technologies. Measures should be
taken to provide ongoing training in this area for youth.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
32. Special attention should be paid to developing and disseminating approaches
that promote flexibility in training systems and collaboration between training
institutions and employers, especially for young people in high-technology
industries.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
C. Hunger and poverty
33. Over 1 billion people in the world today live in unacceptable conditions of
poverty, mostly in developing countries, particularly in rural areas of
low-income countries of Asia and the Pacific, Africa and Latin America and the
Caribbean and the least developed countries. Poverty has various
manifestations, including lack of income and productive resources sufficient to
ensure sustainable livelihoods; hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or
lack of access to education and other basic services; increased morbidity and
mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe
environments; and social discrimination and exclusion; it is also characterized
by a lack of participation in decision-making and civil and socio-cultural life.
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[TO BE RECONSIDERED: It also constitutes the root cause for other social
maladies such as corruption and prostitution.]
34. Hunger and malnutrition remain among the most serious and intractable
threats to humanity, often preventing youth and children from taking part in
society. Hunger is the result of many factors: mismanagement of food
production and distribution; poor accessibility; maldistribution of financial
resources; unwise exploitation of natural resources; unsustainable patterns of
consumption; environmental pollution; natural and human-made disasters;
conflicts between traditional and contemporary production systems; irrational
population growth; and armed conflicts.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
Proposals for action
1. Making farming more rewarding and life in agricultural
areas more attractive
35. Governments should enhance educational and cultural services and other
incentives in rural areas to make them more attractive to young people.
Experimental farming programmes directed towards young people should be
initiated, and extension services expanded to maintain improvements in
agricultural production and marketing.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
36. Local and national Governments, in cooperation with youth organizations,
should organize cultural events that enhance exchanges between urban and rural
youth. Youth organizations should be encouraged and assisted to organize
conventions and meetings in rural areas, with special efforts to enlist the
cooperation of rural populations, including rural youth.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
2. Skill-training for income-generation by young people
37. Governments, in cooperation with youth organizations, should develop
training programmes for youth which improve methods of agricultural production
and marketing. Training should be based on rural economic needs and the needs
of young people in rural areas for the development of production and the
achievement of food security. Attention should be given in such programmes to
young women, youth retention in rural areas, youth returning to rural areas from
the cities, young people with disabilities, refugee and migrant youth, displaced
persons and street children, indigenous youth, youth returning from military
service and youth living in areas of resolved conflicts.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
3. Land grants for young people
38. Governments should provide grants of land to youth and youth organizations,
supported by financial and technical assistance and training. The Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Labour
Organization are invited to document and disseminate information about national
experience with land-grant and settlement schemes for use by Governments.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
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[38. Governments are invited to establish public libraries, cultural centres and
other cultural facilities in rural and urban areas with the aid of international
organizations, and to provide assistance to young people active in the fields of
drama, the fine arts, music and other forms of cultural expression.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/BENIN PROPOSAL)
[38 bis. Governments and non-governmental organizations should encourage and
support manual, artisanal and any other activities that promote tourism, art and
culture.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/BENIN PROPOSAL)
[38 ter. Governments, with the assistance of the international community,
should build rural and urban road networks and promote the execution of labourintensive
public works projects.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/BENIN PROPOSAL)
[38 quater. Youth organizations should undertake, on a volunteer basis, any
projects that may be required for the clearance and maintenance of rural and
urban roadways.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/BENIN PROPOSAL)
4. Cooperation between urban and rural youth in food production
and distribution
39. Non-governmental organizations should organize direct-marketing groups,
including production and distribution cooperatives, to improve current marketing
systems and to ensure that young farmers have access to them. The aim of such
groups should be to reduce food shortages and losses from defective systems of
food storage and transport to markets.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT)
D. Health
(DELAYED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
40. Young people in some parts of the world suffer from poor health as a result
of societal conditions, as well as their own actions. Poor health is often
caused by lack of information and lack of health services for youth, mostly in
developing countries. The resulting problems are, among others, sexually
transmitted diseases, including infection with the human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV); early pregnancies; lack of hygiene and sanitation, leading to infection,
infestation and diarrhoea; genetic and congenital diseases; psychological and
mental diseases; narcotic and psychotropic drug abuse; misuse of alcohol and
tobacco; unwarranted risk-taking and destructive activity, resulting in
unintentional injuries; malnutrition; and poor spacing of births.
Proposals for action
1. Development of health education
41. Governments should include, in the curricula of educational institutions at
the primary and secondary levels, programmes focusing on primary health
knowledge and practices. Particular emphasis should be placed on the
understanding of basic hygiene requirements and the need to develop and sustain
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a healthy environment. These programmes need to be developed in full awareness
of the needs and priorities of young people and with their involvement.
42. Cooperation among Governments and educational and health institutions
should be encouraged in order to promote personal responsibility for a healthy
lifestyle and provide the knowledge and skills necessary to adopt a healthy
lifestyle, including teaching the legal, social and health consequences of
behaviour that poses health risks.
2. Promotion of reproductive health for young people and
development of appropriate reproductive health
education programmes
43. Governments should develop, with educational institutions, curricula to
provide appropriate reproductive health education at all levels of the
educational system, particularly with a view to preventing HIV infection and
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). National and local governments, in
cooperation with non-governmental youth organizations, should develop
opportunities for peer counselling and similar youth-to-youth programmes, as
well as governmental programmes to instil a positive attitude among young people
regarding gender equity and sexual health and to combat sexual stereotypes. The
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other interested United Nations
organizations are encouraged to continue their efforts to ensure that boys and
young men are taught to respect the other sex, and girls and young women should
be given every opportunity to develop self-esteem.
44. Governments should develop complete reproductive health service programmes
for young people, designed to inform them of the requirements for healthy family
formation and to provide counselling services for youth in distressed
circumstances. UNFPA and other interested United Nations organizations are to
be encouraged to continue assigning high priority to promoting adolescent
reproductive health.
3. HIV infection and AIDS among young people
45. Governments and youth organizations should develop specific programmes of
information and education for young people so that they can take proper
precautions against HIV infection and the development of AIDS.
4. Promotion of good sanitation and hygiene practices
46. Governments, in cooperation with youth organizations, should promote the
establishment of national youth health associations to promote good sanitation
and hygiene.
5. Prevention of disease and illness among youth resulting
from poor health practices
47. Governments, in cooperation with youth organizations, should investigate
the possibility of adopting policies for discouraging tobacco and alcohol use
among young people, including the banning of advertisements of tobacco and
alcohol products.
-22-
48. Programmes should be instituted, with the assistance of the United Nations
bodies and organizations concerned, to train medical and paramedical personnel
in health issues of particular concern to young people, including healthy
lifestyles. Research into such issues should be promoted, particularly research
into the effects and treatment of drug abuse and addiction. Youth organizations
should be enlisted in these efforts.
6. Eliminating sexual abuse among young people
49. As recommended by the International Conference on Population and
Development, countries should take effective steps to address the neglect, as
well as all types of exploitation and abuse, of children, adolescents and youth,
such as abduction, rape and incest, pornography, trafficking, abandonment and
prostitution. 10/ Governments are urged to prohibit female genital
mutilation wherever it exists and to give vigorous support to efforts among
non-governmental and community organizations, and religious institutions to
eliminate such practices. 11/
7. Reduction of youth involvement in violence as victims
and perpetrators
50. Governments should develop appropriate violence prevention and early
intervention programmes. It is more important to prevent crime than to react to
crime. Measures to support equality and justice, while reducing poverty and
hopelessness, are preferable to measures that rely on the criminal justice
system.
[50 bis. Governments should also develop programmes to promote tolerance and
better understanding among youth, with a view to eradicating contemporary forms
of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/G-77 PROPOSAL)
51. It is imperative to foster the development of social organization,
particularly youth organizations, within a supportive social policy and
legislative framework, through community involvement. Government assistance
should focus on facilitating the abilities of community and youth organizations
to express and evaluate their needs concerning the prevention of violence and
crime, and to formulate and implement actions for themselves. This can best be
achieved through partnerships, with community organizations encouraged to
provide necessary crime and violence avoidance services within a framework that
includes adequate standards, training, evaluation and accountability.
8. Combating malnutrition among young people
52. Governments should promote out-of-school and post-primary-school health
projects by individuals and youth organizations, emphasizing information on
healthy eating practices. School lunch programmes, programmes which offer food
for work, provision of food supplements and similar services should be available
whenever possible to help ensure proper diets for young people.
10/ Report of the International Conference on Population and
Development ..., chap. I, resolution 1, annex, para. 6.9.
11/ Ibid., para. 4.22.
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E. Environment
53. [The deterioration of the natural environment is one of the principal
concerns of young people worldwide as it has direct implications for their
well-being at present and in the future. The natural environment must be
maintained and preserved for both present and future generations. The causes of
environmental degradation must be addressed. [The environmentally friendly use
of natural resources and environmentally sustainable economic growth will
improve human life. Sustainable development] has become a key element in the
programmes of youth organizations throughout the world. While every segment of
society is responsible for maintaining the environmental integrity of the
community, youth have a special interest in maintaining a healthy environment
because they will be the ones to inherit it. They should be involved in
designing and implementing appropriate environmental policies.]
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE RECONSIDERED)
Proposals for action
1. Integration of environmental education and training into
education and training programmes
54. Emphasis should be given in school curricula to environmental education.
Training programmes should be provided to inform teachers of the environmental
aspects of their subject-matter and to enable them to educate youth on
environmentally friendly habits.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
55. The participation of youth groups in gathering environmental data and in
understanding ecological systems and actual environmental action should be
encouraged as a means of improving both their knowledge of the environment and
their personal engagement in caring for the environment.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
[2. Facilitating the exchange of information [and technology]
on environmental issues between developed and developing
countries]
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE CONSIDERED)
56. [The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), in cooperation with
Governments and non-governmental youth organizations, is invited to intensify
production of information materials illustrating the connection between
environmental degradation in developing and developed countries and describing
the outcome of initiatives undertaken in those countries. UNEP is requested to
continue its efforts to disseminate and exchange information with and among
youth organizations. Governments should encourage and assist youth
organizations to initiate and develop youth-to-youth contacts through
town-twinning and similar programmes in order to share the experience gained in
different countries.]
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE CONSIDERED)
[56 bis. The United Nations system, United Nations organizations and developed
countries are requested to provide adequate financial resources and
environmentally sound technologies to developing countries in order to promote
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the participation of non-governmental youth organizations in protecting and
conserving the environment.]
(TO BE CONSIDERED/G-77 PROPOSAL)
3. Strengthening participation of youth in the protection,
preservation and improvement of the environment
57. Governments and youth organizations should initiate programmes to promote
participation in tree planting, forestry, combating of desert creep, waste
reduction, recycling and other sound environmental practices. The participation
of young people and their organizations in such programmes can provide good
training and encourage awareness and action. Waste management programmes may
represent potential income-generating activities that provide opportunities for
employment.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
F. Drug abuse
(DELAYED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
58. The vulnerability of young people to drug abuse has in recent years become
a major concern. The consequences of widespread drug abuse and trafficking,
particularly for young men and women, are all too apparent.
59. As the number of psychotropic drugs increases steadily and their effects
and appropriate prescriptive practices are often not fully known, some patients
may not be adequately treated and others may become over-medicated.
Self-medication with tranquilizers, sleeping-pills and stimulants can also
create serious problems, particularly in countries and regions where
distribution controls are weak and habit-forming drugs are purchased abroad or
diverted from licit channels of distribution.
60. The international community places particular emphasis on demand reduction
and prevention of the first use of drugs in realistic awareness of the
difficulty of achieving effective treatment for abusers and drug-dependent
persons and of the discouragingly high levels of post-treatment relapse into
drug abuse. Identification of comprehensive programmes adapted to the social
and cultural context is a difficult task, which is further complicated by
controversies over the effectiveness of various approaches to treatment.
Proposals for action
1. Participation of youth organizations and youth in demand
reduction programmes for young people
61. Drug control strategies at the national and international levels
consistently emphasize initiatives aimed at reducing drug abuse among young
people. This is reflected in the resolutions of the Commission on Narcotic
Drugs and in the demand reduction programmes of the United Nations International
Drug Control Programme (UNDCP). To be effective, demand reduction programmes
should be targeted at specific groups of young people considered at risk and the
content of the programmes should respond directly to the interests and concerns
of those people. Increasing opportunities for gainful employment and activities
for social participation are important measures to prevent drug addiction among
youth. Youth organizations can play a key role in designing and implementing
-25-
programmes to encourage the integration of youth into the community and to
develop healthy lifestyles, which are the best protection against drug abuse.
Programmes could include participation in group activities, such as team sports,
hiking and camping, as well as community service and mentoring. Civic
organizations could make a contribution by providing equipment and helping to
construct playing fields and sports arenas, as well as by helping to transmit
organizational skills to young people. The programme should include training of
youth leaders in communication and counselling skills and person-to-person
communication.
62. Governments should enhance the scope of drug control agencies established
under the provisions of existing United Nations conventions to monitor the
distribution of addictive drugs. In accordance with international treaties,
government entities and non-governmental organizations should cooperate in
carrying out demand reduction programmes for illicit drugs, tobacco and alcohol.
2. Training medical and paramedical students in the rational
use of pharmaceuticals containing narcotic drugs or
psychotropic substances
63. As training in this range of professions and skills is normally transmitted
to men and women in their early twenties or younger, medical curricula could
usefully be enlarged to include elements on the effects of habit-forming drugs
and appropriate prescriptive techniques. Similarly, job-training programmes for
hospital staff and pharmaceutical supply houses should include control
techniques designed to avoid leakage or deliberate diversion of narcotic drugs
and psychotropic substances into illicit channels.
64. UNDCP and the World Health Organization (WHO) have begun to develop
initiatives along those lines, and courses are now also being given at several
universities in different countries. WHO, associations of the medical and
paramedical professions, pharmaceutical corporations and medical faculties could
be asked to formulate model training courses for inclusion in training
curricula, and these model courses could be translated and widely disseminated
to assist universities and training institutions in ensuring that young students
are adequately prepared for their responsibilities.
3. Treatment and rehabilitation of young people who are drug
abusers or drug-dependent and young alcoholics and
tobacco users
65. Research has been undertaken into the possibility of identifying medication
to block cravings for specific drugs without creating secondary dependency, but
much remains to be done in this area. The need for such medical advances has
become more urgent with the world-wide increase in abuse and addiction, as the
growing prevalence of AIDS places added burdens on treatment facilities and
compounds the problems of addiction by infection transmitted through
contaminated needles.
66. Graduate students in faculties of medicine and chemistry, or in the social
services and public administration, could be encouraged to focus their research
on such complex issues as medical treatment of drug-dependent persons and
abusers, administration of the public health components of drug treatment and
rehabilitation, surveys of the effectiveness of different types and combinations
of treatment and comparable rates of recidivism.
-26-
67. Of particular interest is the development of treatment techniques involving
the family setting and peer groups. Young people can make significant
contributions by participating in peer group therapy to facilitate the
acceptance of young drug-dependent persons and abusers upon their re-entry into
the community. Direct participation in rehabilitation therapy entails close
cooperation between youth groups and other community and health services. WHO
and other world-wide medical and mental health organizations could set
guidelines for continuing research and for carrying out comparable programmes in
different settings, whose effectiveness could be evaluated over a given period
of time.
4. Care for young drug abusers and drug-dependent suspects
and offenders in the criminal justice and prison system
68. Authorities may consider possible strategies to limit exposure to drug
abuse and dependence among young people suspected or convicted of criminal
offences. Such strategies could include alternative measures, such as daily
reporting to police stations or requirements for regular visits to parole
officers, and fulfilment of a specified number of hours of community service.
69. Prison authorities should cooperate closely with law enforcement agencies
to keep drugs out of the prison system. Prison personnel should be discouraged
from tolerating the presence of drugs in penal institutions.
70. Young prisoners who are already drug-dependent should be segregated as far
as practicable and targeted as priority candidates for treatment and
rehabilitation services. Guidelines and standard minimum rules should be
prepared to assist national authorities in law enforcement and prison systems in
maintaining the necessary controls and initiating treatment and rehabilitation
services. Action along these lines constitutes a long-term advantage to
society, as the cycle of dependence, release, repeated offences and repeated
incarcerations constitutes a heavy burden on the criminal justice system, quite
apart from the wasted lives and personal tragedies which result from drug
dependence and criminal behaviour.
G. Juvenile delinquency
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
71. Juvenile crime and delinquency are serious problems all over the world.
Their intensity and gravity depend mostly on the social, economic and cultural
settings of each country. There is evidence, however, of an apparent world-wide
increase in juvenile criminality combined with economic recession, especially in
marginal sectors of urban centres. In many cases, youth offenders are "street
children" who have been exposed to violence in their immediate social
environment, either as observers or as victims. Their basic education, when
they have it, is poor; their primary socialization from the family is too often
inadequate; and their socio-economic environment is shaped by poverty and
destitution.
-27-
Proposals for action
1. Priority to preventive measures
72. Governments should give priority to issues and problems of juvenile
delinquency and youth criminality, with particular attention to preventive
policies and programmes. Rural areas should be provided with adequate
socio-economic and administrative opportunities and services that could
discourage young people from migrating to urban areas. Youth from poor urban
settings should have available specific educational, employment and leisure
programmes, particularly during long school holidays. Young people who drop out
of school or come from broken families should benefit from specific social
programmes that help them build self-esteem and confidence conducive to
responsible adulthood.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
2. Rehabilitation services and programmes
73. Destitution, poor living conditions, inadequate education, malnutrition,
illiteracy, unemployment and lack of leisure-time activities are factors that
marginalize young people, which makes some of them vulnerable to exploitation as
well as to involvement in criminal and other deviant behaviour. If preventive
measures address the very causes of criminality, rehabilitation programmes and
services should be made available to those who already have a criminal history.
Mostly, youth delinquency begins with petty offences such as robbery or violent
behaviour, that can be easily traced and corrected through institutions and
community and family environments. Indeed law enforcement should be a part of
rehabilitation measures. Finally, the human rights of young people who are
imprisoned should be protected and principles of penal majority according to
penal laws should be given great attention.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
H. Leisure-time activities
74. The importance of leisure-time activities in the psychological, cognitive
and physical development of young people is recognized in any society.
Leisure-time activities include games, sports, cultural events, entertainment
and community service. Appropriate leisure programmes for youth are elements of
any measure aimed at fighting social ills, such as drug abuse, juvenile
delinquency and other deviant behaviour. While leisure programmes can
contribute greatly to the development of the physical, intellectual and
emotional potential of young people, they should be designed with due care and
concern so that they are not used as a means for excluding youth from
participating in other aspects of social life or for indoctrinating them.
Leisure-time activity programmes should be made freely available to young
people.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
Proposals for action
1. Leisure-time activities as an integral part of youth
policies and programmes
75. [In planning, designing and implementing youth policies and programmes,
Governments should give priority to leisure-time activities, with the active
-28-
involvement of youth movements and organizations. The importance given to such
activities should be reflected in budgetary provisions.]
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE RECONSIDERED)
2. Leisure-time activities as elements of educational programmes
76. A means by which Governments may accord priority to leisure-time activities
is to provide educational institutions with resources to develop the
infrastructure required for their establishment. In addition, leisure-time
activities could be part of the regular school curriculum.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
3. Leisure-time activities in urban planning and rural development
77. National Governments as well as local authorities and community development
agencies should incorporate leisure-time activity programmes and facilities in
urban planning, giving particular attention to areas with a high human
concentration. Equally, rural development programmes should pay due attention
to the leisure needs of rural youth.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
4. Leisure-time activities and the media
77 bis. Communications media should be encouraged to promote youth
understanding and awareness of all aspects of social integration, including
tolerance and non-violent behaviour.
(NEW AMENDMENTS ADOPTED)
I. [Girls and young women]
(TO BE CONSIDERED)
77 ter. [One of the most important tasks of youth policy is to improve the
situation of girls and young women. Girls are often treated as inferior and
discriminated against in the society. Discrimination and neglect in childhood
can initiate a lifelong exclusion from the society. Negative cultural attitudes
and practices as well as gender-biased educational processes, including
curricula, educational materials and practices, teachers’ attitudes and
classroom interaction, reinforce existing gender inequalities.]
Proposals for action
1. Education
77 quater. [Ensure universal and equal access to and completion of primary
education for girls and young women and ensure them equal access to secondary
and higher education. Provide a framework for the development of educational
materials and practices that are gender balanced and promote an educational
setting that eliminates all barriers that impede the schooling of girls and
young women, including married and/or pregnant girls and young women.]
-29-
2. Health
77 quinquiens. [Eliminate discrimination against girls and young women in
health and nutrition. Promote the removal of discriminatory laws and practices
against girls and young women in food allocation and nutrition and ensure access
to health services in accordance with the Programme of Action of the
International Conference on Population and Development.]
3. Employment
77 sexiens. [Protect girls and young women from economic exploitation and from
performing any work that is likely to be hazardous, to interfere with their
education or to be harmful to their health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral
or social development, in conformity with the Convention of the Rights of the
Child. Promote equal access for young women in all employment opportunities and
encourage their participation in the traditionally male-dominated sectors.]
[J. Full and effective participation of youth in the life of
society and in decision-making]
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE CONSIDERED)
77 septiens. [The capacity of progress of our societies is based, among other
elements, in their capacity to incorporate the contribution of youth in the
building and designing of its future.]
77 octiens. [Any efforts and proposed actions on the other priority areas,
considered in this programme are, in certain way, conditioned by enabling social
and political participation of youth, as a matter of critical importance.]
V. MEANS OF IMPLEMENTATION
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
78. Effective implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth will
require significant expressions of commitment by organizations and institutions
responsible for its adoption and implementation and the involvement of such
organizations and especially of youth from all sectors of society. Without such
commitment by governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental entities at
the national, regional and international levels, the Programme of Action will
remain little more than a global statement of intent and general standard for
action.
79. Therefore the development of an overall system of enabling mechanisms is
necessary for the Programme of Action to be implemented. Such mechanisms should
engage, on a continuing basis, the human, political, economic, financial and
sociocultural resources necessary to ensure that the Programme of Action is
implemented efficiently and effectively.
80. Implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth is ultimately the
responsibility of Governments with the support of the international community
and in cooperation, as appropriate, with the non-governmental and private
sectors. Translation of the Programme’s proposals for action into specific
plans, targets and law will be influenced by national priorities, resources and
-30-
historical experience. In this process, Governments can be assisted, at their
request, by regional and international organizations.
A. National level
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
81. Governments that have not already done so are urged to formulate and adopt
an integrated national youth policy as a means of addressing youth-related
concerns. This should be done as part of a continuing process of review and
assessment of the situation of youth, formulation of a cross-sectoral national
youth programme of action in terms of specific, time-bound objectives, and
systematic evaluation of progress achieved and obstacles encountered.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
82. Reinforcing youth-related concerns in development activities can be
facilitated through the existence of multilevel mechanisms for consultation,
dissemination of information, coordination, monitoring and evaluation. These
should be cross-sectoral in nature and multidisciplinary in approach and should
include the participation of youth-related departments and ministries, national
non-governmental youth organizations and the private sector.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
83. Special and additional efforts may be required to develop and disseminate
model frameworks for integrated policies and to identify and organize an
appropriate division of responsibilities among both governmental and
non-governmental entities concerned with youth-related issues. Special and
additional efforts could also be directed towards strengthening national
capacities for data collection and dissemination of information, research and
policy studies, planning, implementation and coordination, and training and
advisory services.
(ADOPTED AS AMENDED)
84. National coordinating mechanisms should be appropriately strengthened for
integrated youth policies and programmes. Where such mechanisms do not exist,
Governments are urged to promote their establishment on a multilevel and
cross-sectoral basis.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
B. Regional cooperation
(ADOPTED)
85. The activities of the United Nations regional commissions, in cooperation
with concerned regional intergovernmental and non-governmental youth and
youth-related organizations, are essential complements to national and global
action aimed at building national capacities.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
86. Regional commissions, within their existing mandates, are urged to promote
the implementation of the Programme of Action through incorporation of its goals
in their plans and to undertake comprehensive reviews of the progress achieved
and obstacles encountered and identify options to further regional-level action.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
-31-
87. Regional intergovernmental meetings of ministers responsible for youth, in
cooperation with the concerned United Nations regional commissions, regional
intergovernmental organizations and regional youth non-governmental
organizations, can make particular contributions to the formulation,
implementation, coordination and evaluation of action at the regional level,
including periodic monitoring of regional youth programmes.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
88. Data collection, dissemination of information, research and policy studies,
interorganizational coordination and technical cooperation, training seminars
and advisory services are among the measures which can be provided on request at
the regional level to promote, implement and evaluate youth programmes.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
89. Regional youth non-governmental organizations, regional offices of bodies
and organizations of the United Nations system and regional intergovernmental
organizations concerned with youth are invited to consider meeting on a biennial
basis to review and discuss issues and trends and identify proposals for
regional and subregional cooperation. United Nations regional commissions are
also invited to play an essential role through the provision of a suitable venue
and appropriate input regarding regional action.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
C. International cooperation
90. An essential role for international cooperation is to promote conditions
conducive to the implementation of the World Programme of Action for Youth at
all levels. Means available include policy-level debates at the policy level
and decisions at the intergovernmental level, global monitoring of issues and
trends, data collection and dissemination of information, research and studies,
planning and coordination, technical cooperation, and outreach and partnership
among interested constituencies from both the non-governmental and private
sectors.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
91. In its capacity as the subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council
responsible for global social development issues, the Commission for Social
Development has an important role to play as the focal point for the
implementation of the Programme of Action. [The Commission is called upon to
continue the policy-level dialogue on youth for policy coordination and for
periodic monitoring of issues and trends.]
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
[92. Current regional and interregional conferences of ministers responsible for
youth affairs in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean and
Western Asia are urged to consider convening a standing conference of ministers
responsible for youth affairs meeting at four-year intervals under the aegis of
the United Nations and in conjunction with meetings of the Commission for Social
Development. The standing conference could provide an effective forum for
focused dialogue on youth-related issues to ensure effective promotion and
monitoring of the Programme of Action at the national, regional and
international levels.]
(OUTSTANDING/FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
93. Youth-related bodies and organizations of the United Nations system are
invited to support the work of [the above-mentioned standing conference of
-32-
ministers responsible for youth.] In this connection, the existing ad hoc
inter-agency group on youth should meet annually and invite all the bodies and
agencies of the United Nations system concerned and related intergovernmental
organizations to discuss ways and means by which they can promote and further
implement the Programme of Action on a coordinated basis [and contribute to
effective planning and follow-up of the standing conference of ministers.]
(OUTSTANDING/FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION)
94. Effective channels of communication between non-governmental youth
organizations and the United Nations system are essential for dialogue and
consultations on the situation of youth and implications for the implementation
of the Programme of Action. The General Assembly has repeatedly stressed the
importance of channels of communication in the field of youth. The Youth Forum
of the United Nations system could contribute to Programme implementation
through the identification and promotion of joint initiatives to further
Programme objectives so that they better reflect the interests of youth.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
1. Data collection and dissemination of information
95. Capacities to collect, analyse and present data in a timely and accurate
fashion are essential for effective planning and target-setting, for monitoring
issues and trends and for evaluating progress achieved in implementing the World
Programme of Action for Youth. Special attention should be directed towards
building national capacities and institutions to collect and compile regularly
socio-economic data series that are both cross-sectional and disaggregated by
cohort. To this end, interested centres and institutions may wish to consider
the possibility of jointly strengthening or establishing, in cooperation with
the United Nations, networks concerned with collection of data and publication
of statistics and to realize thereby greater economies of scale in the
development and dissemination of statistics in the field of youth.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
96. Major contributions are currently being made by the United Nations related
to data and statistics in the field of youth. Such contributions include the
socio-economic data collection and statistical development activities of the
Statistical Office of the United Nations Secretariat; the youth policies and
programmes information activities of the Division for Social Policy and
Development of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development; the educational and literacy data collection activities of UNESCO;
and the youth advisory networks of the United Nations Environment Programme.
Concerned bodies and agencies of the United Nations system are urged to explore
ways and means of achieving greater coherence in data collection and the
publication of statistics. This could include programme planning and
coordination on an inter-agency basis. For example, the data bank programme on
adolescent health of the World Health Organization is coordinated with the work
of the Statistical Office of the United Nations Secretariat. Other bodies and
agencies of the United Nations system are invited to contribute data in their
respective areas of expertise to an integrated socio-economic data bank on
youth. For instance, the international drug abuse assessment system of the
United Nations International Drug Control Programme is urged to consider
including a component on youth and drugs. An inventory of innovative youth
policies, programmes and projects could be coordinated and made available to
interested users by the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
-33-
Development. Other topics that could be considered for joint action include
juvenile delinquency, runaways and homeless youth.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
97. Public information and communications are equally important in building
awareness of youth issues, as well as a consensus on appropriate planning and
action. The bodies and organizations of the United Nations system concerned are
urged, as a matter of priority, to review publications currently produced and
identify ways in which these publications can better promote the Programme of
Action and areas in which they may need to be complemented through the
production of leaflets and posters in connection with special events.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT)
98. To encourage widespread awareness of and support for the Programme of
Action, Governments, non-governmental organizations and, as appropriate, the
private sector, are urged to consider the possibility of preparing both printed
and audiovisual materials related to areas of concern in the Programme of
Action. This could be carried out with the assistance of and in cooperation
with the United Nations and materials could be disseminated through United
Nations public information channels. In addition young people and youth
organizations are urged to identify and plan information activities that focus
on priority issues, which they would undertake within the context of the
Programme of Action.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENT)
2. Research and policy studies
99. Comparative studies on issues and trends concerning youth are essential to
the continuous expansion and development of the global body of knowledge on
relevant theory, concepts and methods. International, regional and national
research centres and institutions concerned with youth-related issues are urged
to consider the possibility of establishing cooperative relationships with the
United Nations to ensure effective links between the implementation of the
Programme of Action and relevant research and studies.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
100. A closely related concern is cooperation in strengthening and improving
national capacities for the research design, conduct and dissemination of
relevant studies on the situation of young people.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
101. A third concern is improved planning and coordination of the scarce human
and financial resources available so that appropriate attention is accorded to
initiatives at all levels, undertaken by young people, related to priority areas
identified in the Programme of Action, to the identification and assessment of
issues and trends, and to the review and evaluation of policy initiatives.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
3. Planning and coordination
102. Using the mechanisms currently available within the United Nations system
for planning, programming and coordinating activities concerning youth,
interested bodies and organizations of the United Nations system are urged to
review their medium-term planning process to give appropriate consideration to
reinforcing a youth perspective in their activities. They are also urged to
-34-
identify current and projected programme activities that correspond to the
priorities of the Programme of Action so that these activities can be reinforced
throughout the system. Appropriate attention should be directed towards
identifying opportunities for joint planning among interested members of the
system so that joint action may be undertaken that reflects their respective
areas of competence and that is of direct interest to young people or that
responds to priority needs of young people in special circumstances.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
103. A complementary mechanism for coordination is provided by the channels that
have been developed between the United Nations and intergovernmental and
non-governmental youth organizations. Such mechanisms require appropriate
strengthening to enable them to respond better to priorities for action, as
identified in the Programme of Action.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
4. Technical cooperation, training and advisory services
104. Technical cooperation is an essential means for building national
capacities and institutional capabilities. Bodies and organizations of the
United Nations system that have not already done so are urged to review and
assess their range of programmatic and operational activities in the light of
priorities for action identified in the Programme of Action and to reinforce a
youth dimension in technical cooperation activities. In this regard, special
attention should be directed towards measures that will serve to promote
expanded opportunities for international technical assistance and advisory
services in the field of youth as a means of building expanded and strengthened
networks of institutions and organizations.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
105. There is a need for greater streamlining in technical cooperation policies
and procedures, particularly for training and advisory services, so that they do
not place undue administrative burdens on national officials. With national
execution as the principal mode for technical cooperation, offices responsible
for national youth policies and programmes should be in a position to plan and
execute technical cooperation activities available from all sources [in
accordance with a basic format, with annexes as required by the donor
organization concerned]. The aim should be to reduce administrative overheads,
as these proportionately reduce the resources available for technical
cooperation.
(OUTSTANDING/TO BE RECONSIDERED)
106. The organization, on an inter-agency basis, of missions to review, assess
and plan technical cooperation concerning youth, available on request to
Governments, represents a specific contribution by the United Nations system to
the implementation of the Programme of Action.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
107. The United Nations Youth Fund represents a unique resource to support
catalytic and innovative action concerning youth. Programme implementation can
be furthered through the Fund’s support, in both a technical and a financial
sense, of pilot action, studies and technical exchanges on issues concerning
youth that encourage the participation of youth in devising and carrying out
projects and whose short time-frames often make it difficult to obtain needed
support from conventional budgeting processes. The capacities of the Fund for
innovative action are, however, limited in the light of Programme priorities,
-35-
and interested Governments, non-governmental organizations and the private
sector are invited to consider the possibility of supporting the activities of
the Fund on a predictable and sustained basis. To this end, the parties
concerned may wish to consider the possibility of constituting an advisory body
at an appropriate level to review the application of the terms of reference of
the Fund, priorities and means of strengthening its capacities.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
5. Outreach and partnership among specialized constituencies
108. A crucial element in implementing the Programme of Action is recognition
that governmental action alone is not sufficient to ensure its success, rather
it should further be complemented by the support of the international community.
This process will also require both systematic outreach and partnership among
the Programme’s many constituencies in both the non-governmental and private
sectors.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
109. A critical first step is phased expansion and regularization of channels of
communication between the United Nations and non-governmental youth
organizations to include representatives of interested private sector
organizations. This would build upon the provisions of the General Assembly in
resolution 45/103 concerning the involvement of youth and non-governmental youth
organizations in formulation of the Programme of Action. Youth, youth-related
organizations and interested private sector organizations are urged to identify,
in partnership with Governments, ways in which they could contribute to action
at the local level to implement the Programme, and to the periodic review,
appraisal and formulation of options to achieve its goals and objectives.
(ADOPTED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS)
110. Implementation of the Programme of Action offers important opportunities to
expand technical and cultural exchanges among young people through new
partnerships in both the public and private sectors; to identify and test
improved ways to leverage public resources, in partnership with the
non-governmental and private sectors, to further Programme priorities; and to
encourage and plan jointly innovative approaches to critical issues concerning
youth.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
111. Relevant voluntary organizations, particularly those concerned with
education, employment, juvenile justice, youth development, health, hunger,
ecology and the environment, and drug abuse, can further Programme
implementation by encouraging involvement of young people in their programme
planning and field activities. The Programme of Action can contribute to the
work of such organizations because it provides a global policy framework for
consultation and coordination.
(ADOPTED WITH AMENDMENTS)
-36-
D. Decision calling for action by the Council
4. The following decision adopted by the Commission for Social Development
calls for action by the Economic and Social Council:
Decision 34/101. Nomination of members of the Board of the
United Nations Research Institute for
Social Development*
1. At its 9th meeting, on 18 April 1995, the Commission for Social
Development decided to nominate, for confirmation by the Economic and Social
Council, the following candidates for membership in the Board of the United
Nations Research Institute for Social Development for a four-year term beginning
on 1 July 1995 and expiring on 30 June 1999:
Jonathan MOORE (United States of America)
Harris Mutio MULE (Kenya)
Frances STEWART (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Valery TISHKOV (Russian Federation)
Björn HETTNE (Sweden).
2. The Commission also decided to renominate, for confirmation by the
Economic and Social Council, the following candidates for membership in the
Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development for a twoyear
term beginning on 1 July 1995 and expiring on 30 June 1997:
Fahima CHARAF-EDDINE (Lebanon)
Georgina DUFOIX (France)
Kinhide MUSHAKOJI (Japan)
Guillermo O’DONNELL (Argentina)
Rehman SOBHAN (Bangladesh).
E. Resolutions and decision brought to the attention of the Council
5. The following resolutions adopted by the Commission for Social Development
are brought to the attention of the Economic and Social Council:
________________________
* For the discussion, see chap. V.
-37-
Resolution 34/2. Monitoring the implementation of the Standard
Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities
for Persons with Disabilities*
The Commission for Social Development,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 48/96 of 20 December 1993, by which
the General Assembly adopted the Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities,
Further recalling that the Rules are to be monitored within the framework
of the sessions of the Commission for Social Development,
Bearing in mind that the purpose of the monitoring mechanism is to further
the effective implementation of the Rules,
Noting with appreciation the appointment of the Special Rapporteur of the
Commission for Social Development on Disability,
Also noting the establishment of the panel of experts to be consulted by
the Special Rapporteur,
Noting with appreciation the generous voluntary contributions made by
Member States to support the work of the Special Rapporteur,
Recalling that the Commission was requested to establish, at its
thirty-fourth session, an open-ended working group to examine the Special
Rapporteur’s report and to make recommendations on how to improve the
application of the Rules,
Having considered the oral report of the Special Rapporteur, made before
the Commission at its thirty-fourth session,
Noting with satisfaction that the Rules are being introduced in a number of
countries and that they play an important role in influencing policies and
thinking at both the national and international levels,
Noting with concern, however, that only a small number of States and
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations have responded to the first
set of questions of the Special Rapporteur concerning the implementation of the
Rules,
1. Takes note with appreciation of the oral report of the Special
Rapporteur and the recommendations that he made;
2. Welcomes the general approach to monitoring by the Special Rapporteur,
which is to place emphasis on advice and support to States concerning
implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities;
3. Encourages the Special Rapporteur to focus his monitoring efforts in
the forthcoming two years on an appropriate number of priority areas, bearing in
________________________
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. D.
-38-
mind that the overall goal of the monitoring activity is to implement the Rules
in their entirety;
4. Urges States to continue their efforts to implement the Rules;
5. Calls upon States to establish or strengthen national coordinating
committees or similar bodies to serve as national focal points on disability
matters;
6. Invites States to communicate to the Secretariat and to the Special
Rapporteur the name, address and other relevant information on their national
focal point to facilitate exchanges of information on the implementation of the
Rules;
7. Strongly urges States and intergovernmental and non-governmental
organizations to continue to cooperate closely with the Special Rapporteur and
respond to his second questionnaire on implementation of the Rules;
8. Calls upon the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development of the Secretariat, as the United Nations focal point on disability
issues, the United Nations Development Programme and other entities of the
United Nations system, such as the regional commissions, the specialized
agencies and inter-agency mechanisms, to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur
in the implementation and monitoring of the Rules;
9. Calls upon States to participate actively in international cooperation
concerning policies for equalization of opportunities for persons with
disabilities and for improvement of living conditions of persons with
disabilities in developing countries;
10. Urges Governments to consider making further voluntary contributions
to support the work of the Special Rapporteur;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to draw the present resolution to the
attention of Member States;
12. Further requests the Secretary-General to circulate the report of the
Special Rapporteur on monitoring the implementation of the Rules as an official
document at the fiftieth session of the General Assembly under item 107 of the
preliminary list, entitled "Social development".
Resolution 34/3. Follow-up to the International Year of
the Family*
The Commission for Social Development,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/237 of 20 September 1993, in
which, inter alia, the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit
specific proposals on the follow-up to the Year, including a draft plan of
action, if deemed appropriate, to the Assembly at its fiftieth session,
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. E.
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Having considered the note by the Secretary-General on the current status
of the implementation of General Assembly resolution 47/237 on the International
Year of the Family, 12/
Taking note of the United Nations Interregional Meeting of National
Coordinators/Focal Points for the International Year of the Family, held at
Bratislava from 4 to 7 February 1995,
1. Takes note of the intention of the Secretary-General to submit to the
General Assembly, at its fiftieth session, his specific proposals on the
follow-up to the International Year of the Family, intended to serve as an
indicative guide for action, primarily at the national and local levels;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a concise draft reflecting
the outcome of the relevant United Nations conferences and national experiences
of the International Year of the Family.
Resolution 34/4. Follow-up to the World Summit for
Social Development*
The Commission for Social Development,
Having considered its priority subject, the World Summit for Social
Development, particularly the arrangements for the implementation and follow-up
of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action
of the World Summit for Social Development, 13/
Recognizing that the full implementation of the commitments contained in
the Declaration and of the recommendations contained in the Programme of Action
will contribute to the promotion of social progress, justice and the betterment
of the human condition, based on full participation by all,
Decides to transmit to the Economic and Social Council the views and
considerations of the Commission on the Follow-up to the World Summit for Social
Development, which are annexed hereto.
* For the discussion, see chap. IV.
12/ E/CN.5/1995/5.
13/ Report of the World Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen,
6-12 March 1995 (A/CONF.166/9), chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.
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Annex
VIEWS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL
DEVELOPMENT ON THE FOLLOW-UP TO THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
1. The implementation of the commitments and policy recommendations of
the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of
the World Summit for Social Development involves Governments, the international
community and all actors of civil society. Regional and international
organizations have a responsibility to contribute to the implementation and
follow-up in order to provide support to Governments, at both the national and
international levels.
2. The General Assembly is the principal policy-making organ entrusted
with providing the general orientation and decisions for action in the
implementation and follow-up of the agreements of the World Summit for Social
Development. The Economic and Social Council is entrusted with providing
overall system-wide coordination of the implementation of those agreements and
should make recommendations in that regard in view of the need for improved
efficiency and effectiveness within the United Nations system in addressing
social development issues. In that context, the Commission for Social
Development, as a functional Commission of the Economic and Social Council,
should have a central role in the follow-up of the Copenhagen Declaration and
Programme of Action. This role should be compatible with the functions and
contributions of other relevant bodies, organs and organizations of the United
Nations system.
3. In order to be able to carry out its responsibilities regarding the
implementation and follow-up of the agreements of the Summit, the Commission for
Social Development should be in a position to increase the added value of its
contributions to international cooperation for social development. To this end:
(a) The Economic and Social Council should review the mandate, agenda and
composition of the Commission for Social Development, including consideration of
an expansion of its membership and the annualization of its meetings, as well as
of its reporting system and the effectiveness of its methods of work, with a
view to enhancing its contribution to the follow-up of the Summit;
(b) The mandate of the Commission should be adapted in order to ensure an
integrated approach to social development, taking into account the relationship
between social and economic development as defined by the recommendations
adopted by the World Summit for Social Development;
(c) The Commission should establish the practice of opening its debates to
experts and the main actors of civil society in the field of social development.
The Commission should also review and update its methods of work in order to
fulfil its mandate efficiently;
(d) The Commission should contribute to the review of the implementation
of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action to be undertaken by the
Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly;
(e) The Commission, on the basis of the review of its agenda, should
develop a work programme for considering the Copenhagen Declaration and
Programme of Action.
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Resolution 34/5. Proposed programme of work of the Division
for Social Policy and Development for the
biennium 1996-1997*
The Commission for Social Development,
Having considered the proposed programme of work of the Division for Social
Policy and Development for the biennium 1996-1997, 14/
1. Decides to transmit to the Economic and Social Council the views
expressed and comments made thereon during the debate by the Commission at its
thirty-fourth session, which are annexed hereto;
2. Requests the Secretariat to make these views and comments available to
the Committee for Programme and Coordination, in the most appropriate manner, at
its thirty-fifth session, in 1995.
* For the discussion, see chap. V.
14/ E/CN.5/1995/L.4.
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Annex
VIEWS EXPRESSED AND COMMENTS MADE DURING THE DEBATE BY
THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPOSED
PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE DIVISION FOR SOCIAL POLICY
AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE BIENNIUM 1996-1997
1. It was noted that the proposed programme of work of the Division for Social
Policy and Development for the biennium 1996-1997 was of a traditional nature
and format. It should be possible to be more innovative, while remaining within
the framework of the current medium-term plan.
2. The relationship between the programme of work and the Copenhagen
Declaration on Social Development and the Programme of Action of the World
Summit for Social Development 13/ was rather weak. Of the eight subprogrammes
included in programmes 25 (Global social issues and policies) and 26 (Social
integration), only three had outputs specifically referring to the Summit.
These were subprogramme 1 of programme 25 (Analysis of emerging social issues):
report to the Commission for Social Development on global trends and emerging
issues in subject areas considered by the Summit; subprogramme 4 of programme 25
(Strategies for poverty eradication): report to the Commission on the
implementation of the recommendations of the Summit and the achievements of the
International Year for the Eradication of Poverty; and subprogramme 4 of
programme 26 (Social institutions and development): report to the Commission
and to the General Assembly on recommendations of the Summit for social
integration and policy options for strengthening social institutions. The
reasons for the lack of reference to the outcome of the Summit in the other
subprogrammes were unclear.
3. The question of the need to shape the work programme in the light of the
objectives and policy recommendations of the Copenhagen Declaration and
Programme of Action was relevant not only for the subprogrammes on global social
issues, but also for the subprogrammes on the situation of specific groups. The
subprogrammes on youth policies and programmes, ageing policies and programmes
and disability policies and programmes should also take into account the
decisions made at the Summit.
4. It was noted that one of the three core issues considered by the Summit -
employment - appeared to be totally absent from the proposed work programme.
5. The placement of the subprogramme on families in the developing process in
programme 25 (Global social issues and policies) rather than in programme 26
(Social integration) was questioned.
6. The proposed programme of work included four ad hoc expert groups: one in
subprogramme 2 of programme 25 (Social policy design, planning and
coordination) - ad hoc expert group on the integration of social objectives in
policy-making and implementation; one in subprogramme 4 of programme 25
(Strategies for poverty eradication) - ad hoc expert group in 1996 on poverty
eradication strategies and use of quantitative targets in national and
international strategies; one in subprogramme 1 of programme 26 (Youth policies
and programmes) - ad hoc expert group and related preparatory work: one session
of the youth forum in 1996; and one in subprogramme 4 of programme 26 (Social
institutions and development) - expert group on the contribution of cooperatives
and farmers’ organizations to the achievements of the goals of the International
Year for the Eradication of Poverty. The mandate, rationale, modalities and
financing of these expert groups should be made more explicit. In addition,
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there should also be a clearer relationship between expert group meetings and
the contribution of the work programme to the implementation of the Copenhagen
Declaration and Programme of Action.
7. It was further noted that the work programme proposed seven reports for the
Commission for Social Development in 1997 and six reports for the General
Assembly (one for 1996 and five for 1997). In addition, six non-recurrent
publications and five newsletters were also proposed outputs. Within the
framework of the mandates currently provided by the General Assembly and the
Economic and Social Council, a regrouping of reports and publications should be
considered.
8. The Commission considered the work programme, while at the same time
studying the role of the Commission in the follow-up of the World Summit for
Social Development. Should the Economic and Social Council and the General
Assembly take decisions that changed the frequency of the sessions of the
Commission, as well as other aspects of its functioning, the work programme of
the Division for Social Policy and Development would have to be revised
accordingly.
9. Some members of the Commission made comments on the question of the
resources required for the implementation of the proposed work programme. The
Secretariat informed the Commission that, in accordance with current budgetary
practices, the possible financial implications of the follow-up of the World
Summit for Social Development would be considered by the General Assembly at its
fiftieth session in the context of its review of the proposed programme budget
for the biennium 1996-1997.
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6. The following decision adopted by the Commission for Social Development is
brought to the attention of the Economic and Social Council:
Decision 34/102. Questions relating to the United Nations
Research Institute for Social Development*
At its 12th meeting, on 20 April 1995, the Commission for Social
Development took note of the report of the Board of the United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development 15/ and the note by the Secretary-General on
the nomination of members of the Board of the Institute. 16/
* For the discussion, see chap. V.
15/ E/CN.5/1995/7.
16/ E/CN.5/1995/6 and Add.1 and 2.
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Chapter II
REVIEW OF THE WORLD SOCIAL SITUATION
1. The Commission for Social Development considered agenda item 3 (Review of
the world social situation) at its 1st to 3rd meetings, on 10 and 11 April 1995.
2. For its consideration of the item, the Commission had before it an interim
report on the world social situation (A/50/84-E/1995/12).
3. At the 1st meeting, on 10 April 1995, an introductory statement was made by
the Chief of the Development Analysis Branch, Macroeconomic and Social Policy
Analysis Division, Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy
Analysis.
4. At the same meeting, the representative of Egypt made a statement.
5. At the 2nd meeting, on 10 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of Argentina, the Sudan and the United States of America, as
well as the observer for Canada.
6. At the 3rd meeting, on 11 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of Mexico, Indonesia, the Russian Federation, France (on behalf
of the European Union), Ukraine, Pakistan, Bolivia and Benin, as well as the
observer for India.
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Chapter III
MONITORING OF INTERNATIONAL PLANS AND
PROGRAMMES OF ACTION
1. The Commission for Social Development considered agenda item 4 (Monitoring
of international plans and programmes of action) at its 4th to 6th meetings, on
12 and 13 April 1995.
2. For its consideration of the item, the Commission had before it the
following documents:
(a) Report of the Secretary-General containing the conceptual framework of
a programme for the preparation and observance of the International Year of
Older Persons (A/50/114);
(b) Report of the Secretary-General on the major issues and programme
activities of the United Nations Secretariat and the regional commissions
relating to social development and welfare and specific social groups
(E/CN.5/1995/2);
(c) Report of the Secretary-General on the social welfare and social
development activities of the regional commissions for the biennium 1993-1994
(E/CN.5/1995/2/Add.1);
(d) Report of the Secretary-General containing the draft world programme
of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond (E/CN.5/1995/3);
(e) Report of the Secretary-General on measures taken by Member States to
observe the International Day of Disabled Persons (E/CN.5/1995/4);
(f) Note by the Secretary-General on the current status of the
implementation of General Assembly resolution 47/237 on the International Year
of the Family (E/CN.5/1995/5);
(g) Note by the Secretariat on draft decision III, entitled "Contribution
of comprehensive national social policies to societal management and to the
solving of economic, environmental, demographic, cultural and political
problems", contained in the report of the Commission for Social Development on
its thirty-third session (E/CN.5/1995/L.3).
3. At the 4th meeting, on 12 April 1995, introductory statements were made by
the Assistant Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development of the
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development and the
Director/Coordinator for the International Year of the Family.
4. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of
Germany, Norway, the Dominican Republic and Austria.
5. At the same meeting, statements were also made by the observers for the
International Movement ATD Fourth World, the World Assembly of Youth (WAY) and
the Foundation for the Rights of the Family (PRODEFA), non-governmental
organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
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6. At the 5th meeting, on 13 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of the Russian Federation, Belarus, China, Argentina, Pakistan
and Indonesia.
7. At the same meeting, statements were also made by the representative of the
United Nations International Drug Control Programme and by the observer for the
American Association of Retired Persons, a non-governmental organization in
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council.
8. At the 6th meeting, on 17 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of the Sudan, the United States of America, Malta, France,
Mongolia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Ukraine, as well as the observers
for Portugal and Sweden.
9. At the same meeting, a statement was also made by the representative of the
Economic Commission for Europe.
10. Statements were also made by the representative of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the observer for the
International Federation of Settlements and Neighbourhood Centres, a
non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and
Social Council.
11. At the same meeting, the Special Rapporteur on the Implementation of the
Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities made an oral report to the Commission.
Action by the Commission
Contribution of comprehensive national social policies to societal management
and to the solving of economic, environmental, demographic, cultural and
political problems
12. At its 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission had before it a note by
the Secretariat (E/CN.5/1995/L.3) containing the text of a draft decision which
the Commission, at its thirty-third session, had recommended for adoption by the
Economic and Social Council. In decision 1993/239, the Council had requested
the Commission to reconsider the draft decision, the text of which read as
follows:
"The Economic and Social Council decides to transmit the following
draft resolution to the General Assembly:
’Contribution of comprehensive national social
policies to societal management and to the
solving of economic, environmental, demographic,
cultural and political problems
’The General Assembly,
’Recalling its resolutions 42/125 of 7 December 1987, 44/65 of
8 December 1989 and 46/90 of 16 December 1991 concerning the Guiding
Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in
the Near Future, adopted by the Interregional Consultation on
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Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes, held at Vienna
from 7 to 15 September 1987,
’Recalling also its resolution 47/92 of 16 December 1992 on the
convening of a World Summit for Social Development, to be held in
Denmark in 1995, in which it decided, inter alia, that the core issues
affecting all societies to be addressed by the Summit were:
’(a) The enhancement of social integration, particularly of the
more disadvantaged and marginalized groups;
’(b) Alleviation and reduction of poverty;
’(c) Expansion of productive employment;
’Recalling further resolution 33/1 of 17 February 1993 of the
Commission for Social Development on the World Summit for Social
Development,
’1. Takes note with appreciation of the conclusions and
recommendations contained in the report of the Secretary-General on
the implementation of the Guiding Principles for Developmental Social
Welfare Policies and Programmes in the Near Future;
’2. Takes note also of the results of the Expert Group Meeting
on the Social Consequences of Population Growth and Changing Social
Conditions, with Particular Emphasis on the Family, held at Vienna
from 21 to 25 September 1992;
’3. Urges Governments to accord to social policies a high
priority on the national agenda;
’4. Encourages Governments to enhance all forms of participation
at the local and national levels, in order to establish the essential
preconditions for creating a context within which individuals,
families and communities will be willing and able to respond to the
incentives included within public programmes to enhance local
capacities for providing social services;
’5. Requests the Secretary-General within existing resources:
’(a) To strengthen the capacity of the United Nations to provide
the most effective support to Governments in their task of preparing
comprehensive national social policies as central elements of their
strategies for societal management;
’(b) To devote appropriate attention to the need for coordinating
international action with the process of formulating and carrying out
comprehensive national social policies;
’(c) To support, upon the specific request of Member States,
national efforts to strengthen effective participation of all citizens
in national social policies and programmes;
’(d) To include within programme activities in 1994 and 1995
national case-studies of experience in the formulation and
implementation of comprehensive social policies, especially in
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countries suffering from severe economic, political, cultural and
environmental pressures, and to ensure the wide dissemination of the
results of such studies;
’(e) To undertake on a system-wide basis the analysis of national
experience and the widespread dissemination of guidelines and of
technical support designed to promote and strengthen national
capacities for development of comprehensive social policies as
intrinsic parts of social development;
’(f) To report to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth
session, through the Economic and Social Council at its substantive
session of 1994, on the further implementation of the Guiding
Principles for Developmental Social Welfare Policies and Programmes in
the Near Future, giving special attention to recent national
experience, including guidelines for achieving greater
effectiveness.’"
13. At the same meeting, the Commission decided to take no action on the draft
decision.
Tenth anniversary of the International Youth Year and world programme of action
for youth to the year 2000 and beyond
14. At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the representative of the Philippines (on
behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group
of 77 and China), introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.5/1995/L.12) entitled
"Tenth anniversary of the International Youth Year and world programme of action
for youth to the year 2000 and beyond". The draft resolution read as follows:
"The Commission for Social Development,
"Recalling General Assembly resolution 45/103 of 14 December 1990, in
which the Assembly decided, inter alia, to devote a plenary meeting at its
fiftieth session to youth questions, as 1995 marked the tenth anniversary
of International Youth Year,
"Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/85 of 16 December 1992,
in which the Assembly emphasized the need for the preparation of a world
programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, with a target
orientation and within a specific time-frame,
"Bearing in mind that, in resolution 49/152, the General Assembly:
"(a) Requested the Commission for Social Development at its thirtyfourth
session to consider further the draft world programme of action for
youth to the year 2000 and beyond, as a matter of priority, and to submit
it, through the Economic and Social Council, to the General Assembly at its
fiftieth session,
"(b) Decided to devote up to four plenary meetings at its fiftieth
session to mark the anniversary of International Youth Year and to consider
the world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond with a
view to adopting it,
"(c) Invited Member States to participate in the plenary meetings at a
high political level and requested the Secretary-General to schedule those
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meetings as close as possible to 24 October 1995 to facilitate such
participation,
"(d) Decided to designate, in 1995, an international youth day at the
fiftieth session of the General Assembly,
"Mindful that the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution
1993/24, called upon the Commission for Social Development to give priority
at its thirty-fourth session to the refinement of the draft world programme
of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, and to establish an ad hoc
informal open-ended working group on youth for this purpose, with a view to
formulating a final draft to be submitted to the Economic and Social
Council in 1995 and to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session,
"Considering that the Economic and Social Council in its resolution
1993/24 requested the Secretary-General to seek the views of Member States
on the United Nations statement of intent on youth, which could become an
integral part of the world programme of action for youth,
"Having considered the report of the open-ended Working Group on Youth
established by the Commission at its thirty-fourth session to formulate a
final draft of the world programme of action for youth, to be submitted to
the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 and to
the General Assembly at its fiftieth session,
"Aware of the need for an extended time-frame in the light of the
conditions and considerations set out in the report of the Working Group,
"Recognizing the urgency of formulating the final draft of the world
programme of action for youth to be considered by the General Assembly at
high-level meetings at its fiftieth session, with a view to adopting it, in
conformity with its resolution 49/152,
"1. Decides to consider the final draft of the world programme of
action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond, as a matter of priority, at a
resumed session to be approved by the Economic and Social Council;
"2. Recommends that the Economic and Social Council approve the
resumption of the thirty-fourth session of the Commission for a period of
two or three days prior to the resumed session of the Council, taking into
account the provisions of General Assembly resolution 49/152;
"3. Decides, for that purpose, to extend the open-ended Working Group
on Youth, established by the Commission, to undertake inter-sessional
consultations on the formulation of the final draft of the world programme
of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond for submission to the
Commission at its resumed session;
"4. Encourages the open-ended Working Group to incorporate in the
final draft of the programme of action the main elements of the
internationally agreed issues regarding youth as set out in the final
documents of the International Conference on Population and Development,
the World Summit for Social Development and the Fourth World Conference on
Women;
"5. Requests the Secretary-General to schedule the high-level plenary
meetings of the Assembly, as decided by the Assembly in its resolution
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49/152, to take place following the resumed session of the Economic and
Social Council;
"6. Invites Member States that have not yet done so, to submit their
national reports to mark the tenth anniversary of International Youth Year;
"7. Decides to consider the follow-up of the world programme of
action for youth at its thirty-fifth session."
15. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
United States of America and France (on behalf of the European Union).
16. At the same meeting, the Chairman of the Open-ended Working Group on Youth,
Mr. Abdel Ghaffer Eldeeb (Egypt), made an oral report to the Commission. The
oral report was as follows:
The Open-ended Working Group on Youth held an informal organizational
meeting on Thursday, 13 April, and seven substantive meetings between
Monday, 17 April, and Wednesday, 19 April 1995.
Following informal consultations it was decided to hold the first
meeting on the basis of the informal, unedited English text of the draft
world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond (to be
considered in substance upon the receipt of the official document).
A general exchange of views was undertaken on the programme of work,
and the mandate of the Working Group as set out in Economic and Social
Council resolution 1993/24 and General Assembly resolution 49/152. In
response to an official request the Working Group decided to consider the
text paragraph by paragraph. It was also decided to consider the text on
the United Nations Declaration of Intent, to be included as an integral
part of the programme of action, and to become chapter I, on the
understanding that the preamble would be merged with the statement of
purpose and reworded to form a concise preamble to the whole integrated
document.
Having received the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.5/1995/3) on
Monday, 17 April 1995, the Working Group proceeded to its consideration
immediately following the plenary meetings of the Commission on the same
day.
The Working Group was able to complete a first reading, on a
paragraph-by-paragraph basis, of the proposed integrated programme of
action, including the United Nations Declaration of Intent as amended, as
well as the new priorities and elements proposed by the representatives of
interested groups and delegations.
The Working Group considered and adopted proposals to insert in the
draft world programme of action the main elements of principles, policies
and actions involving youth as internationally agreed and as set out in the
reports of the United Nations Conferences held after the preparation of the
first draft programme of action. The Working Group reached an
understanding that the proposed elements, in this regard, would be
considered by the Working Group with a view to inserting them in the
relevant sections of the draft in the second reading. The chapters and
sections of the proposed draft considered by the Working Group in the first
reading are reflected in the revised text as indicated below.
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The preamble, including paragraphs 1 to 5, are to be redrafted. The
consideration of the main chapters of the draft programme of action was as
follows:
(a) Chapter I: The United Nations Declaration of Intent (paragraphs
1 and 2 were considered; paragraphs 3 and 4 are outstanding);
(b) Chapter II: Outstanding;
(c) Chapter III: Adopted as amended;
(d) Chapter IV: Considered and adopted as amended, except for
certain sections;
(e) Chapter V: "Means of implementation" was considered in its
entirety and adopted as amended.
In the light of the facts given and the constraints of time, and
mindful of the urgent need to formulate the final draft programme of
action, to be considered, with a view to its adoption, by the General
Assembly at high-level meetings in accordance with its relevant
resolutions:
It is evident that the Working Group has considered a great deal of
the draft during the first reading, giving evidence of its ability to
achieve its mandate completely.
The Working Group should be given the amount of time needed to
consider the remaining parts of the draft under consideration in the first
reading and to conclude its consideration in the productive process already
under way.
I have been approached by the Group of 77 and China and by many other
interested members and observers who stated their preference that the
Commission resume its consideration of this question in order to fulfil its
mandate and submit the outcome of its consideration to the Economic and
Social Council at its resumed substantive session, as decided by the
General Assembly in resolution 49/152, without adding further financial
implications in connection with the travel of Commission members.
In concluding, I recommend that the Commission consider extending the
mandate of the Open-ended Working Group on Youth to enable it to conduct
inter-sessional informal consultations to formulate the final draft world
programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond and submit it to
the Commission for consideration and submission through the Economic and
Social Council to the General Assembly in conformity with the relevant
terms of reference and rules of procedure. This recommendation aims at the
fulfilment of the mandate given in General Assembly resolution 49/152 and
Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/24.
17. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of France
(on behalf of the European Union), Mexico, the Philippines (on behalf of the
States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and
China), the United States of America, Sudan, the Russian Federation,
Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan and Egypt, as well as the observer for the Holy See.
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18. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Secretary of the Commission read out
a statement on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution.
19. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of France
(on behalf of the European Union), Egypt and the Philippines (on behalf of the
States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and
China).
20. At the same meeting, the Director of the Division for Social Policy and
Development made a statement.
21. The meeting was suspended. Upon its resumption, the representative of the
Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China) proposed oral amendments to the draft
resolution as follows:
(a) In the sixth preambular paragraph, the words "Chairman of the" were
inserted after the words "Having considered the report of the";
(b) Operative paragraph 1 was replaced with the following:
"Recognizes the important work that the Open-ended Working Group on
Youth has done in revising the draft world programme of action for youth to
the year 2000 and beyond, in spite of the delay in the availability of the
relevant document, which made it impossible for the Working Group to
complete its work";
(c) Operative paragraph 2 was replaced with the following:
"Recommends that the Economic and Social Council establish an openended
working group on youth, during its resumed substantive session in
September 1995, building upon the progress made by the Open-ended Working
Group set up by the Commission during its thirty-fourth session, to
complete the formulation of the draft world programme of action for youth
to the year 2000 and beyond";
(d) Operative paragraph 3 was replaced by the following:
"Recommends to the Economic and Social Council, for that purpose, that
the Open-ended Working Group on Youth established by the Commission
undertake informal consultations on the formulation of the final draft of
the world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and beyond for
submission to the Council at its substantive session".
22. At the same meeting, the representative of France (on behalf of the
European Union) made a statement.
23. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as orally
amended. For the final text, see chapter I, section C, Commission resolution
34/1.
24. After the adoption of the draft resolution, the Chairman made the following
statement:
"It must be understood that this procedure is proposed due to the timelimit
established in General Assembly resolution 49/152 and must not be
taken as a precedent."
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International Year of Older Persons: towards a society for all ages
25. At the 10th meeting, on 19 April, the representative of the Philippines (on
behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group
of 77 and China), introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.5/1995/L.6) entitled
"International Year of Older Persons: towards a society for all ages". The
draft resolution read as follows:
"The Economic and Social Council
"Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following
draft resolution:
’International Year of Older Persons: towards
a society for all ages
’The General Assembly,
’Recalling its resolution 47/5 of 16 October 1992 in which it decided
to observe the year 1999 as the International Year of Older Persons,
’Recalling also Economic and Social Council resolution 1993/22 of
27 July 1993 in which the Council invited Member States to strengthen their
national mechanisms on ageing, inter alia, to enable them to serve as
national focal points for the preparations and observance of the Year,
’Taking note of General Assembly resolution 45/106 of 14 December 1990
in which it recognized the complexity and rapidity of the ageing of the
world’s population and the need to have a common basis and frame of
reference for the protection and promotion of the rights of older persons,
including the contribution that older persons could and should make to
society,
’Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 49/162 of
23 December 1994 entitled "Integration of older women in development",
’1. Endorses the conceptual framework for the preparation and
observance of the International Year of Older Persons, 1999, as contained
in the report of the Secretary-General;
’2. Invites Member States to adapt the conceptual framework to
national conditions and to consider formulating national programmes for the
Year;
’3. Also invites the concerned United Nations organizations and
bodies to examine the conceptual framework and identify areas for expanding
upon it in keeping with their mandates;
’4. Requests the Secretary-General to monitor activities for the Year
and to make appropriate coordinating arrangements, bearing in mind that the
Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development of the
United Nations Secretariat has been designated the United Nations focal
point on ageing;
’5. Encourages the Secretary-General to allocate sufficient resources
for promoting and coordinating activities for the Year, bearing in mind
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General Assembly resolution 47/5 in which it was decided that observance of
the Year would be supported by the regular programme budget for the
biennium 1998-1999;
’6. Invites Member States, United Nations organizations and bodies
and non-governmental organizations to assist the global coordinating entity
for the Year;
’7. Invites the regional commissions to explore the feasibility of
convening regional meetings in 1998 and 1999 at which to mark the Year and
formulate action plans on ageing for the twenty-first century;
’8. Encourages relevant United Nations funds and programmes and
specialized agencies to support local, national and international
programmes and projects for the Year;
’9. Encourage the United Nations Development Programme to continue to
ensure that the concerns of older persons are integrated into its
development programmes;
’10. Invites the United Nations International Research and Training
Institute for the Advancement of Women, the United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development and other relevant research institutes to
consider preparing studies on the four facets of the conceptual framework,
namely, the situation of older persons, the life course, multigenerational
relationships and the relationship between population ageing and
development, and the International Research and Training Institute for the
Advancement of Women to continue its research on the situation of older
women including in the informal sector;
’11. Encourages the Department of Public Information of the United
Nations Secretariat, within existing resources, to launch an information
campaign for the Year;
’12. Invites the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to
continue its work on ageing and the situation of older persons, as covered
in the report of the Committee;
’13. Also invites non-governmental organizations to develop programmes
and projects for the Year, particularly at the local level in cooperation,
inter alia, with local authorities, community leaders, enterprises, the
media and schools;
’14. Recommends that henceforth the term "older persons" be
substituted for the term "the elderly", in conformity with the United
Nations Principles of Older Persons, with the result that the Year and the
Day concerned shall be called the International Year of Older Persons and
the International Day of Older Persons respectively;
’15. Requests the Commission for Social Development to establish an
in-session working group at its thirty-fifth session to consider the major
findings of the fourth review and appraisal of the implementation of the
International Plan of Action on Ageing and a programme for the observance
of the International Year of Older Persons, 1999;
’16. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-second session on the preparations being made by Member
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States, United Nations organizations and bodies and non-governmental
organizations for the observance of the Year.’"
26. In introducing the draft resolution, the representative of the Philippines
orally revised operative paragraph 14 by replacing the word "Recommends" with
the word "Decides".
27. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Secretary of the Commission read out
the following additional revisions to the draft resolution:
(a) In operative paragraph 1, the word "Endorses" was replaced with the
words "Takes note of";
(b) Operative paragraph 7 was revised to read:
"Invites the regional commissions, within their existing mandates, to
bear in mind the goals of the Year in convening regional meetings in 1998
and 1999 at which to mark the Year and formulate action plans on ageing for
the twenty-first century";
(c) Operative paragraph 15 was deleted.
28. The representatives of Germany and the Netherlands subsequently joined in
sponsoring the draft resolution.
29. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as
further orally revised. For the final text, see chapter I, section A, draft
resolution.
Monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
30. At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the representative of the Dominican
Republic in her capacity as Chairman of the Working Group on Monitoring the
Implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for
Persons with Disabilities, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.5/1995/L.10)
entitled "Monitoring the implementation of the Standard Rules on the
Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities".
31. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the representative of Germany amended the
last preambular paragraph by inserting the word "however" after the words
"Noting with concern".
32. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as
orally amended. For the final text, see chapter I, section E, Commission
resolution 34/2.
33. At the same meeting, the representative of the Sudan made a statement.
Follow-up to the International Year of the Family
34. At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the representative of Austria, also on
behalf of the Dominican Republic and Germany, introduced a draft resolution
(E/CN.5/1995/L.11) entitled "Follow-up to the International Year of the Family".
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35. In introducing the draft resolution, the representative of Austria orally
revised operative paragraph 2 by replacing the words "Requests the General
Assembly" with the words "Requests the Secretary-General".
36. Bolivia, Côte d’Ivoire, India, Indonesia, Malta, Mongolia, Nigeria, the
Philippines, the Sudan and the Russian Federation subsequently joined in
sponsoring the draft resolution.
37. At the same meeting, the representative of the United States of America
made a statement.
38. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Secretary of the Commission made a
statement.
39. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as
orally revised. For the final text, see chapter I, section E, Commission
resolution 34/3.
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Chapter IV
PRIORITY SUBJECT: WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
1. The Commission for Social Development considered agenda item 5 (Priority
subject: World Summit for Social Development) at the 7th and 8th meetings, on
17 and 18 April 1995.
2. For its consideration of the item, the Commission had before it the
following documents:
(a) Note by the Secretary-General on the follow-up to the World Summit for
Social Development (E/CN.5/1995/8);
(b) Letter dated 28 March 1995 from the Permanent Mission of Argentina to
the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (A/50/156).
3. At the 7th meeting, on 17 April 1995, the Director of the Division for
Social Policy and Development of the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development and Coordinator of the World Summit for Social
Development made an introductory statement.
4. At the same meeting, a statement was made by the representative of the
Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China).
5. A statement was also made by the observer for the International
Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), a non-governmental organization in
consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, category I.
6. At the 8th meeting, on 18 April 1995, statements were made by the
representatives of China, Egypt, Mongolia, the Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico,
Indonesia, Ethiopia and Chile, as well as the observers for Canada, India, Japan
and the Holy See.
7. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, the United Nations Development
Programme and the International Labour Organization.
Action taken by the Commission
Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development
8. At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the representative of Austria in his
capacity as Chairman of the Working Group of the Whole for the Follow-up to the
World Summit for Social Development, introduced a draft resolution
(E/CN.5/1995/L.8) entitled "Follow-up to the World Summit for Social
Development".
9. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission adopted the draft
resolution. For the final text, see chapter I, section E, Commission resolution
34/4.
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10. After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the
representatives of Chile and the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of
the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China).
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Chapter V
PROGRAMME QUESTIONS AND OTHER MATTERS: (a) PROGRAMME
PERFORMANCE AND IMPLEMENTATION; (b) PROPOSED PROGRAMME
OF WORK FOR THE BIENNIUM 1996-1997; (c) UNITED NATIONS
RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
1. The Commission for Social Development considered agenda item 6 (Programme
questions and other matters) at its 9th meeting, on 18 April 1995.
2. For its consideration of the item, the Commission had before it the
following documents:
(a) Note by the Secretary-General on the nomination of members of the
Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
(E/CN.5/1995/6 and Add.1 and 2);
(b) Note by the Secretary-General on the report of the United Nations
Research Institute for Social Development (E/CN.5/1995/7);
(c) Note by the Secretariat on the proposed programme of work of the
Division for Social Policy and Development for the biennium 1996-1997
(E/CN.5/1995/L.4).
3. At the 9th meeting, the Director of the United Nations Research Institute
for Social Development made an introductory statement.
4. At the same meeting, the Assistant Director of the Division for Social
Policy and Development of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development also made an introductory statement.
5. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
United States of America, China, Benin, the Sudan, Austria, the Philippines and
Mexico, as well as the observer for Nigeria.
Action taken by the Commission
Nomination of members of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for
Social Development
6. At the 9th meeting, on 18 April, on the proposal of the Chairman, the
Commission decided to nominate, for confirmation by the Economic and Social
Council, the following new candidates for membership in the Board of the United
Nations Research Institute for Social Development for a four-year term beginning
on 1 July 1995 and expiring on 30 June 1999; Jonathan Moore (United States of
America), Harris Mutio Mule (Kenya), Frances Steward (United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland), Valery Tishkov (Russian Federation) and
Björn Hettne (Sweden).
7. At the same meeting, also on the proposal of the Chairman, the Commission
decided to renominate, for confirmation by the Economic and Social Council, the
following candidates for membership in the Board for a two-year term beginning
on 1 July 1995 and expiring on 30 June 1997: Fahima Charaf-Eddine (Lebanon),
Georgina Dufoix (France), Kinhide Mushakoji (Japan), Guillermo O’Donnell
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(Argentina) and Rehman Sobhan (Bangladesh). For the final text, see chapter I,
section D, Commission decision 34/101.
Proposed programme of work of the Division for Social Policy and Development for
the biennium 1996-1997
8. At the 11th meeting, on 20 April, the Chairman of the Commission introduced
a draft resolution (E/CN.5/1995/L.7) entitled "Proposed programme of work of the
Division for Social Policy and Development for the biennium 1996-1997".
9. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, statements were made by the
representative of France (on behalf of the European Union), the Russian
Federation, the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United
Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), the Sudan,
Côte d’Ivoire, Pakistan, China, Argentina, Mexico, the United States of America
and Benin, as well as the observers for Algeria and Canada.
10. At the same meeting, the Secretary of the Commission and the Director of
the Division for Social Policy and Development made statements.
11. At the same meeting, the Chairman revised the title of the annex to the
draft resolution.
12. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as orally
revised. For the final text, see chapter I, section E, Commission resolution
34/5.
Questions relating to the United Nations Research Institute for Social
Development
13. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission took note of the report of
the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
(E/CN.5/1995/7) and the note by the Secretary-General on the nomination of
members of the Board of the Institute (E/CN.5/1995/6 and Add.1 and 2). For the
final text, see chapter I, section E, Commission decision 34/102.
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Chapter VI
PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE THIRTY-FIFTH SESSION
OF THE COMMISSION
1. The Commission for Social Development considered agenda item 7 (Provisional
agenda for the thirty-fifth session of the Commission) at its 11th and
12th meetings, on 20 April 1995.
2. It had before it a note by the Secretariat containing the draft provisional
agenda and documentation for the thirty-fifth session of the Commission
(E/CN.5/1995/L.9).
3. At the 11th meeting, the Assistant Director of the Division for Social
Policy and Development of the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable
Development made a statement.
4. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the
Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China), France (on behalf of the European Union),
the United States of America, Argentina, the Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Mexico,
Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the observer for India.
5. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, statements were made by the
representatives of the United States of America, the Philippines (on behalf of
the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and
China), France (on behalf of the European Union), Mexico, the Netherlands,
Argentina, the Russian Federation, Benin and the Sudan.
6. At the same meeting, following informal consultations, the Commission
decided to approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the thirty-fifth
session of the Commission as amended during the informal consultations. For the
final text, see chapter I, section B, draft decision.
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Chapter VII
ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS
THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION
1. At the 12th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission for Social Development
adopted the report on its thirty-fourth session (E/CN.5/1995/L.5 and Add.1-4).
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Chapter VIII
ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION
A. Opening and duration of the session
1. The Commission for Social Development held its thirty-fourth session at
United Nations Headquarters from 10 to 20 April 1995. The Commission held
12 meetings. Three working groups established by the Commission held a number
of informal meetings.
B. Attendance
2. In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1147 (XLI) of
4 August 1966, the Commission is composed of 32 States Members of the United
Nations, elected on the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
3. The session was attended by 30 States members of the Commission. Observers
for other States Members of the United Nations and for non-member States and
representatives of specialized agencies and intergovernmental and
non-governmental organizations also attended. A list of participants is given
in annex I to the present report.
C. Election of officers
4. At its 1st meeting, on 10 April, the Commission elected Mr. Susanto Sutoyo
(Indonesia) as Chairman.
5. At its 2nd meeting, on 10 April, the Commission elected the following
officers:
Vice-Chairmen: Mr. Ferdinand Meyrhofer-Grünbühel (Austria)
Mrs. Julia Tavares de Alvarez (Dominican Republic)
Mr. Abdel Ghaffar Eldeeb (Egypt)
6. At its 11th meeting, on 20 April, the Commission elected Mr. Markiyan Kulyk
(Ukraine) as Rapporteur.
D. Agenda
7. At its 1st meeting, on 10 April, the Commission adopted the provisional
agenda contained in document E/CN.5/1995/1 (see annex II to the present report).
E. Organization of work
8. At the same meeting, the Commission approved the organization of the work
of the session (see E/CN.5/1995/L.1), with the understanding that adjustments
would be made if necessary.
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F. Statement by the Under-Secretary-General
9. At its 2nd meeting, on 10 April, the Commission heard a statement by the
Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development.
G. Appointments of the Chairmen of the Working Groups
10. At its 4th meeting, on 12 April, the Commission endorsed the appointments
of Vice-Chairman Ferdinand Mayrhofer-Grünbühel (Austria) as Chairman of the
Working Group of the Whole to deal with the follow-up to the World Summit for
Social Development and of Vice-Chairman Abdel Ghaffar Eldeeb (Egypt) as Chairman
of the Open-ended Working Group on Youth.
11. At its 6th meeting, on 17 April, the Commission endorsed the appointment of
Mrs. Julia Tavares de Alvarez (Dominican Republic) as Chairman of the Working
Group on Monitoring the Implementation of the Standard Rules on the Equalization
of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.
H. Documentation
12. The documents before the Commission at its thirty-fourth session are listed
in annex III to the present report.
I. Consultations with non-governmental organizations
13. In accordance with rule 76 of the rules of procedure of the functional
commissions of the Economic and Social Council (E/5975/Rev.1), representatives
of the following non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the
Council made statements:
(a) Under agenda item 4:
Category I: International Movement ATD Fourth World, World Assembly of
Youth;
Category II: American Association of Retired Persons; Foundation for the
Rights of the Family; International Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood
Centers;
(b) Under agenda item 5:
Category I: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.
14. Written statements submitted by non-governmental organizations are listed
in annex III to the present report.
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Annex I
ATTENDANCE
Members
Argentina Juan Carlos Beltramino
Austria Ferdinand Mayrhofer-Grünbühel, Gerhad Doujak,
Engelbert Theuermann, Aloisia Woergetter
Belarus Olga Dargel, Alexandre Sychou, Nikolai Lepeshko
Benin René Valéry Mongbe, Alini Ichola Abida,
Georges A. Whannou, Joel W. Adechi, Rogatien Biaou,
H. Paul Houansou
Bolivia Edgar Camacho Omiste, Fernando Ruiz Mier,
María Alicia Terrazas
Chile Genaro Arriagada, Pablo Cabrera, Juan Eduardo Eguiguiren,
Miguel Angel González
China Wang Xuexian, Feng Cui, Yu Pengcheng, Zhang Fengkum,
Sun Zhonghua, Jiang Guangping, Zhao Jian, He Ping
Côte d’Ivoire Jean Marie Kacou Gervais, Djénébou Kaba-Camara,
Syas E. Ahounou
Denmark Dan E. Frederiksen, Ole Jorgensen, Peder Ventegodt
Dominican Republic Julia Tavares de Alvarez
Egypt Nabil Elaraby, Soliman Awaad, Abdel Ghaffar Eldeeb,
Karim Wissa
Ethiopia Mulugeta Eteffa, Fesseha A. Tessema, Sileshi Shewaneh
France Jean-Bernard Merimee, Daniéle Refuveille,
Guillemette Meunier, Laurent Contini
Germany Claus A. Lutz, Volker Berger, Ronald Meyer,
Thomas Fitschen
Haiti Nicole Romulus
Indonesia Issiamet Poernomo, Susanto Sutoyo, Esti Andayani,
Riyadi Asirdin, Iwan Suyudhie Amri
Iran (Islamic Gholamali Khoshroo, Seyed Hossein Rezvani, Fatemeh Ardaneh
Republic of)
Malta Carmel L. Degabriele, Joseph Cassar, Walter Balzan,
Victor Pace, Joanna Darmanin
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Mexico Manuel Tello, Patricia Espinosa,
Yanerit Cristina Morgan Sotomayor
Mongolia Humbagyn Olzvoy, Luvsangiin Erdenechuluun,
Ochir Enkhtsetseg
Netherlands Koos Richelle, René Aquarone, Henk Schrama,
Gerard van Rienen, Henk Jan Bakker
Norway Hilde C. Sundrehagen, Merete K. Wilhelmsen, Terje Nervik,
Anne-Margarethe Brandt
Pakistan Mohammad Masood Khan
Philippines Ruth S. Limjuco, Jimmy D. Blas
Russian Federation A. V. Jcharonov, Ordjonikidze, Urnov, Karev, Sepelev,
Sukharev, Schultsev, Khryskov
Sudan Ahmed Abdel Halim
Togo Boulli Takouda
Ukraine E. V. Goriachaya, Markiyan Kulyk, Natalia Jskova
United States of Victor Marrero, John Blaney, John A. Gannon, Mary Childs,
America David E. Hohman, John Hope, Craig Kuehl, Alice Moore
Zimbabwe Ngoni Francis Sengwe, Charity Nzenza
States Members of the United Nations represented by observers
Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Congo, Cuba, Czech
Republic, El Salvador, Finland, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Ireland,
Kazakstan, Lesotho, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain,
Sri Lanka, Sweden, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, Venezuela
Non-member States represented by observers
Holy See, Switzerland
United Nations Secretariat
Economic Commission for Europe, Economic and Social Commission for Western
Asia
United Nations bodies
United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Research Institute for
Social Development
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Specialized agencies
International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization, World Health Organization, International Monetary Fund
Intergovernmental organization represented by an observer
European Community
Non-governmental organizations
Category I: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, International
Movement ATD Fourth World, World Assembly of Youth
Category II: AFS Inter-Cultural Programs, American Association of Retired
Persons, Disabled Peoples’ International, Foundation for the
Rights of the Family, Global Education Associates, International
Federation of Settlements and Neighborhood Centers, World Assembly
of Small and Medium Enterprises, World Safety Organization, World
Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations
Roster: Youth for Development and Cooperation
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Annex II
AGENDA
1. Election of officers.
2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
3. Review of the world social situation.
4. Monitoring of international plans and programmes of action.
5. Priority subject: World Summit for Social Development.
6. Programme questions and other matters:
(a) Programme performance and implementation;
(b) Proposed programme of work for the biennium 1996-1997;
(c) United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
7. Provisional agenda for the thirty-fifth session of the Commission.
8. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its thirty-fourth session.
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Annex III
LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION
AT ITS THIRTY-FOURTH SESSION
Document number Agenda item Title or description
A/50/114 4 Report of the Secretary-General
containing the conceptual framework of
a programme for the preparation and
observance of the International Year of
Older Persons
A/50/156 5 Letter dated 28 March 1995 from the
Permanent Mission of Argentina to the
United Nations addressed to the
Secretary-General
A/50/84-E/1995/12 3 1995 interim report on the world social
situation
E/CN.5/1995/1 2 Provisional agenda and annotations
E/CN.5/1995/2 4 Report of the Secretary-General on the
major issues and programme activities
of the United Nations Secretariat and
the regional commissions relating to
social development and welfare and
specific social groups
E/CN.5/1995/2/Add.1 4 Report of the Secretary-General on the
social welfare and social development
activities of the regional commissions
for the biennium 1993-1994
E/CN.5/1995/3 4 Report of the Secretary-General
containing the draft United Nations
world programme of action for youth to
the year 2000 and beyond
E/CN.5/1995/4 4 Report of the Secretary-General on
measures taken by Member States to
observe the International Day of
Disabled Persons
E/CN.5/1995/5 4 Note by the Secretary-General on the
current status of the implementation of
General Assembly resolution 47/237 on
the International Year of the Family
E/CN.5/1995/6 and 6 (c) Note by the Secretary-General on the
Add.1 and 2 nomination of members of the Board of
the United Nations Research Institute
for Social Development
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E/CN.5/1995/7 6 Report of the Board of the United
Nations Research Institute for Social
Development
E/CN.5/1995/8 5 Note by the Secretary-General on
follow-up to the World Summit for
Social Development
E/CN.5/1995/L.1 2 Organization of work of the session
E/CN.5/1995/L.2 2 Status of the documentation for the
session
E/CN.5/1995/L.3 6 Note by the Secretariat on draft
decision III, entitled "Contribution of
comprehensive national social policies
to societal management and to the
solving of economic, environmental,
demographic, cultural and political
problems", contained in the report of
the Commission for Social Development
on its thirty-third session
E/CN.5/1995/L.4 6 (b) Note by the Secretariat on the proposed
programme of work of the Division for
Social Policy and Development for the
biennium 1996-1997
E/CN.5/1995/L.5 and 8 Draft report of the Commission
Add.1-4
E/CN.5/1995/L.6 4 Draft resolution submitted by the
Philippines on behalf of the States
Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China
E/CN.5/1995/L.7 6 (b) Draft resolution submitted by the
Chairman
E/CN.5/1995/L.8 5 Draft resolution submitted by the
Chairman of the Working Group of the
Whole for the follow-up to the World
Summit for Social Development
E/CN.5/1995/L.9 7 Draft provisional agenda for the
thirty-fifth session of the Commission
for Social Development
E/CN.5/1995/L.10 4 Draft resolution submitted by the
Chairman of the Working Group on
Monitoring the Implementation of the
Standard Rules on the Equalization of
Opportunities for Persons with
Disabilities
E/CN.5/1995/L.11 4 Draft resolution on the follow-up to
the International Year of the Family
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E/CN.5/1995/L.12 4 Draft resolution submitted by the
Philippines on behalf of the States
Members of the United Nations that are
members of the Group of 77 and China
E/CN.5/1995/NGO/1 4 Statement submitted by the Foundation
for the Rights of the Family (PRODEFA),
a non-governmental organization in
consultative status (category II) with
the Economic and Social Council
E/CN.5/1995/NGO/2 4 Statement submitted by the American
Association of Retired Persons (AARP),
a non-governmental organization in
consultative status (category II) with
the Economic and Social Council
E/CN.5/1995/WP.1 Working Paper submitted by Argentina on
suggestions concerning the review of
the working methods of the Commission
for Social Development
E/CN.5/1995/INF.1 Information for participants
95-17822 (E) 100795 -73-