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Commission on Social Development
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Background
The Social Commission was established as a functional commission of the
Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946. As a result of a comprehensive reappraisal
of the role of the Commission it was renamed in 1966 and became the Commission for Social
Development, in order to clarify its role as a preparatory body of the Council in the
whole range of social development policy. According to its current terms of reference, the
Commission is to meet annually for a period of eight working days.

Work Programme
At its special session in May, 1996, the Commission for Social Development decided that
the primary substantive item of its agenda for its future sessions would consist of the
follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development. This item would include:
 | Consideration of subjects identified in the multi-year programme of work (set out
below), including the situation of social groups; |
 | Review of relevant United Nations plans and programmes of action pertaining to the
situation of social groups, as necessary; |
 | Emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting social development, as
necessary. |
Multi-year programme of work
1997: Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development
Theme: "Productive employment and sustainable livelihoods". Under this theme
the following specific topics will be considered:
 | The centrality of employment in policy formulation, including a broader recognition of
work and employment; |
 | Improving access to productive resources and infrastructure; |
 | Enhanced quality of work and employment. |
1998: Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development
Theme: "Promoting social integration and participation of all people, including
disadvantaged and vulnerable groups and persons". Under this theme the following
specific topics will be considered:
 | Promoting social integration through responsive government, full participation in
society, non-discrimination, tolerance, equality and social justice; |
 | Enhancing social protection, reducing vulnerability and enhancing employment
opportunities for groups with specific needs; |
 | Violence, crime and the problem of illicit drugs and substance abuse as factors of
social disintegration. |
1999: Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development
Theme 1: "Social services for all";
Theme 2: "Initiation of the overall review of the implementation of the outcome of
the Summit".
2000: Follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development
Theme: "Contribution of the Commission to the overall review of the implementation
of the outcome of the Summit".

Membership and Secretariat
The Commission consists of 46 members elected by ECOSOC for terms of
office of four years on the following basis: 12 from African states; 10 from Asian states;
5 from Eastern European states; 9 from Latin American and Caribbean states; and 10 from
Western European and Other states.
Secretariat of the United Nations Commission for Social Development
United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-1370
New York, New York 10017 USA
Telephone: + 1 212/963 6763
Fax: + 1 212/963 3062
For more information about the CSocD, its work programme, membership, etc.
please visit the Commission's web-site.
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