CSocD 1995
The Commission for Social Development 34th Session took place 10-20 April
1995. The following report has been adopted by the Economic and Social Council in 1995.
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Contents
Summary
I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or
brought to its attention
A. Draft resolution for adoption by the Council
B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council
C. Resolution calling for action by the Council
Annex : Draft world programme of action for youth to the year 2000 and
beyond
D. Decision calling for action by the Council
E. Resolutions and decision brought to the attention of the Council
Annex I. Views and considerations on the follow-up to the World Summit
for Social development
Annex II. Views expressed and comments made during the debate on the
work programme for the biennium 1996-1997
II. Review of the world social situation
III. Monitoring of international plans and programmes of action
IV. Priority subject: World Summit for Social Development
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 (UNRISD)
VI. Provisional Agenda for the 35th session of the Commission
VII. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its 34th session
VIII. Organization of the session

Chapter I. Matters calling for action by the Economic and Social
Council or brought to its attention
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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;
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;
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.
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. C.

B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council
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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 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
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.
* For the discussion, see chap. VI.

C. Resolution calling for action by the Council
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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,
(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 open- ended 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;
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.
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. B.
** See chap. III, para. 16.

Annex: Draft world programme of action for youth to the year 2000
and beyond
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Contents
Preamble
Statement of purpose
I. United Nations Declaration of Intent on Youth: Problems and Potentials
II. Development setting
III. Strategies and policy specifics
IV. Priority areas
A. Education
B. Employment
C. Hunger and poverty
D. Health
E. Environment
F. Drug abuse
G. Juvenile delinquency
H. Leisure-time activities
I. Girls and young women
J. Full and effective participation of youth in the life of society and in
decision-making
V. Means of implementation
A. National level
B. Regional cooperation
C. International cooperation
PREAMBLE (TO BE CONSIDERED, INCL. 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;
(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
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(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
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(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)
(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;
(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;
(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
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(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
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(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: 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 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
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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
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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)
Proposals for action
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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
opportunities to learn about different cultures and forms of social life other than their
own.] (TO BE RECONSIDERED)
4. Vocational and professional training
[ Up ]
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 suitable training
institutions in developed countries or other parts of the developing world.] (TO BE
RECONSIDERED)
B. Employment
[ Up ]
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
[ Up ]
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)
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
[ Up ]
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. [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
[ Up ]
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)
[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 labour-intensive 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
[ Up ]
(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 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
[ Up ]
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.
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.
E. Environment
[ Up ]
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 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
[ Up ]
(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
[ Up ]
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
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.
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
[ Up ]
(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.
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
[ Up ]
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 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]
[ Up ]
(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.]
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]
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(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
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(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 historical experience. In this process,
Governments can be assisted, at their request, by regional and international
organizations.
A. National level
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(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
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(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)
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
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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 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 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
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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 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, 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)

D. Decision calling for action by the Council
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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)
Bjorn 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 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 (Argentina)
Rehman SOBHAN (Bangladesh).
* For the discussion, see chap. V.

E. Resolutions and decision brought to the attention of the Council [
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5. The following resolutions adopted by the Commission for Social Development are
brought to the attention of the Economic and Social Council:
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 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".
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. D.
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,
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.
* For the discussion, see chap. III, sect. E.
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.
Annex
VIEWS AND CONSIDERATIONS OF THE COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE FOLLOW-UP TO
THE WORLD SUMMIT FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
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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.
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.
Annex
[ Up ]
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, 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.
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.
Chapter II. Review of the World Social Situation
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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.
Chapter III. Monitoring of international plans and programmes of
action
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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.
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,
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'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 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 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 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,
"(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,
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"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 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.
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;
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(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, Co^te d'Ivoire, Pakistan and Egypt, as well as the
observer for the Holy See.
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 open- ended 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 time- limit
established in General Assembly resolution 49/152 and must not be taken as a
precedent."
International Year of Older Persons: towards a society for all ages
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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 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 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:
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"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".
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, Co^te 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.
Chapter IV. Priority subject: World Summit for Social Development
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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, Co^te 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.
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).
Chapter V. Programme questions and other matters:
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(a) Programme performance and implementation
(b) Proposed programme of work for the biennium 1996-1997
(c) United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD)
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 Bjo"rn 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 (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, Co^te 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.
Chapter VI. Provisional agenda for the 35th session of the Commission
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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, Co^te 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.
Chapter VII. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its 34th
session
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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).
Chapter VIII. Organization of the session
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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-Gru"nbu"hel (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.
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-Gru"nbu"hel (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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Notes
1/ A/50/114.
2/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement No. 3
(E/1994/23).
3/ General Assembly resolution 46/91, annex.
4/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1995, Supplement No. 4
(E/1995/24).
5/ General Assembly resolution 2037 (XX).
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.
10/ Report of the International Conference on Population and Development ..., chap. I,
resolution 1, annex, para. 6.9.
11/ Ibid., para. 4.22.
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.
14/ E/CN.5/1995/L.4.
15/ E/CN.5/1995/7.
16/ E/CN.5/1995/6 and Add.1 and 2.
UN Document E/1995/24 E/CN.5/1995/9
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