HOW TO GET INVOLVED (Content of the "Get Involved !" Section of www.earthsummit2002.org/wssd) How to get effectively involved in the WSSD+5 process * How to participate at a UN meeting: how to get accredited, Do's and Don'ts at the UN; different UN meetings: Commission meetings, PrepComms, General Assembly Special Sessions; * Lobbying - contributing to an influencing the process: how to talk to people; how to caucus; produce statements; oral presentations; amendments; * International Negotiations: some background information about the negotiation process * UN & NGOs: history and nature of the relationship between the United Nations and Non-Government Organisations * The UN in Geneva Why should stakeholders participate? Active participation, critical and supportive contributions from all stakeholders is necessary to make WSSD+5 a success. By making their voices heard and contributing their expertise, they help to ensure that the review of progress since 1995 is accurate the discussion about new strategies and about new & emerging issues is well informed and realistic. Stakeholders are groups and organisations who have influence in a particular area of policy or are affected by policies. They are organised as: Non Government Organisations (NGOs); women's groups; youth, indigenous peoples; religious communities; trade unions; business & industry; research & education; governments; local authorities; and other groups and organisations. Many stakeholder organisations and advocates - whether working locally, nationally, or internationally - assume that most UN meetings and their agendas have little direct relevance to their work. What impact will debates at a UN session on population issues or human rights have on the mobilizing, training, or advocacy work that is taking place in the areas in which your organization is working? The WSSD+5 process will provide information on how governments and other actors have fulfilled the commitments they made in Copenhagen. The information generated through the five-year review process should improve the basis upon which future priorities for action are articulated by the global community - regionally and nationally. There are a number of key opportunities to be gained by participating in the five-year review process: Networking: The preparatory meetings, and the Special Session itself, provide opportunities for both government representatives and NGOs to share experiences about the achievements and challenges in social development policies and programs. The process offers an opportunity to learn about what organizations from a wide range of countries and with diverse concerns are doing, how they are doing this, what works and what does not, as well as to build on-going contacts and communication. Stakeholder organisations can benefit in a variety of ways from international solidarity and from building regional, multinational, and multicultural alliances. When representatives from different countries in the same region meet at a five-year review event, there is an opportunity to build a regional agenda. There are also opportunities to form international networks and alliances, which can become powerful sources of support and advocacy across borders. Today, there are a growing number of transnational efforts that link local and national concerns to global endeavors. Increasing access to information and communications technology through e-mail and the Internet can help to facilitate communications and collaboration. Information and Communications: The WSSD +5 process provides an opportunity to explore the vast array of information available on social development issues throughout the world. The information being collected as part of the review (by governments and NGOs alike) will help raise the visibility of a wide range of issues related to social development. The review also provides an occasion for developing a common body of information. The preparatory process and the Special Session call for the collection and analysis of information about social development in Member States, based on the commitments made in Copenhagen. NGOs can engage in dialogue with governments about this information - both in gathering accurate information and in assessing the implications of the data. Moreover, the review will help to identify critical resources. The preparation of reports about implementation of commitments can help pinpoint where resources are being directed, how effectively resources are used, and where the resources allocated to particular issues are inadequate or ineffective. The process may also help in determining where and how additional resources may be made available and used most effectively. Advocacy: Most of the countries in the world are members ('Member States') of the United Nations. These Member States make decisions and adopt resolutions at international meetings that carry implications and commitments for follow-up action in their own countries. The reports that your government prepares for the five-year reviews of UN world conferences and the commitments that your country's delegation makes are tools that can be used for national- and local-level organizing efforts. For example, community groups can advocate at the local and national levels for the implementation of the Copenhagen Commitments. The input of people working at the local level on specific issues ensures that UN debates reflect the realities that communities throughout the world are facing. The five-year review of a UN world conference is a chance for governments - and NGOs - to identify the areas in which progress has been made, and where there is potential for broader and deeper impact. It is also a time to address the areas that have been neglected or for which the current policies and programs are inadequate or ineffective. In other words, the review is an opportunity for a wide range of sectors of society to participate in global agenda-setting. The Special Session calls not only for a review of implementation of the commitments already made, but also for a discussion of good practices in achieving the goals agreed in Copenhagen in 1995. The WSSD +5 process will result in recommendations for overcoming obstacles and advancing the implementation. Media attention: The Special Session calls for high-level participation of representatives of Member States. Such high-level participation often generates considerable media attention, particularly at the national and local levels. Engaging in this process may allow stakeholder organisations and advocates to gain greater access to local, national and international media to present their views. How to Participate * Participating in the Five-Year Review * Planning Your Participation * Follow-up * How to Participate without Leaving Home Participating in the Five-Year Review In order to participate effectively in the process of global diplomacy, it is critical to have all the background information about the process. Crucial background information includes: key documents that establish the context for the Special Session, as well as the documents being drafted; an understanding of the process, including the outcomes of national and regional meetings as well as previous PrepCom sessions; and a grasp of the negotiating process and the procedures by which consensus is reached. There are a number of choices to make about the kinds of activities to become involved in during WSSD+5. Based on experiences of other reviews, some choices about how you focus your activities for the meeting might include: Assessing government accountability: To what extent have governments taken the steps they agreed to take? What are the good practices, gaps in implementation and lessons learned? Working on national and alternative reports: Governments and UN Agencies are reporting on implementation of the commitments made in Copenhagen in 1995. NGOs and other stakeholders can prepare their own reports about the situation in their countries and on their governments' implementation efforts. NGOs can have an important role to play in providing substantive information to governments and in monitoring efforts toward implementation. Establishing processes for effective review and assessment of the implementation of the Copenhagen Commitments: Lessons learned from completed conference review processes reflect disappointment with: implementation at the national level; resource commitments at the international level; and the process of the review itself. The final documents that emerge from the five-year review will specify mechanisms for the follow-up and monitoring of implementation of the Copenhagen agreements. The outcome documents will also look at issues that have emerged as key issues affecting social development, such as globalisation, trade, HIV/AIDS; etc. They will aim to spell out the relevant responses for actors at the national and international level. Finally, they will indicate the future process towards achieving social development for all. The priorities and targets agreed to in the five-year review will reflect governments' political intentions or policy priorities. Effective implementation of the commitments on social development, however, requires commitment to building or bolstering the infrastructure and financing that is needed to meet these goals. In order to monitor the commitments that governments have made, it is important to remember these points: The documents that emerge from UN meetings result from political negotiation and compromise and are written in formal language. However, they are of use to stakeholders organisations worldwide. UN resolutions and recommendations are but the first step in the process of achieving the aims that they express. The central importance of these resolutions lies in the follow-up undertaken at the national level. UN resolutions and recommendations are not legally binding. Signing or endorsing the program of action or series of resolutions is not equivalent to passing legislation or ratifying a treaty. Rather, it is a signal of political intention, around which work may be mobilized. A program of action is effective when it is used as a guide for national legislation and action and when it helps shape international priorities. UN resolutions and recommendations are addressed to different bodies. Many of the final documents or programs of action resulting from UN conferences contain recommendations to governments, to the UN system, to NGOs, and to other specific types of institutions. In addition, UN resolutions and recommendations generally specify a mechanism for monitoring implementation. Planning Your Participation If you plan to participate in a regional meeting, a PrepCom, or the Special Session, you should carefully prepare your on-site strategy in advance. For example, cconsider the following: Define what you want to achieve at the meeting. Be aware that many aspects important to you may not be explicitly on the UN agenda. Be well-informed about the agenda and the issues of WSSD +5. Think strategically about who should attend and how many representatives your organization might send. Who in your organization has relevant experience and is interested in attending these types of meetings? Who will be best at lobbying, participating in caucuses and coalitions, and representing your organization's interests? Remember that many of the decisions will probably be made at the final PrepCom (April 2000) rather than at the Special session itself. Also, there might be an additional week of negotiations before the Special Session to resolve remaining differences. Collect the meeting documentation that is available in advance. Use UN and NGO materials as a way of researching the international dimensions of the issues. Have your name placed on the mailing list of the preparatory body as well as with other organizations that regularly provide conference information. For example, you can subscribe to an information service at Geneva2000 (www.geneva2000.org), at UNRISD (www.unrisd.org) and at SocialWatch (http://www.socwatch.org/1999/eng). Explore working with NGOs within your country to prepare alternative reports about implementation of the Copenhagen Platform for Action. Contact other NGOs working nationally, regionally, and internationally about their priorities and preparations (see Links and Existing List Servers). Regional collaborative preparations by NGOs often help to generate political momentum, add impact to your statements, and avoid unnecessary duplication of work. Are other organizations from your area sending representatives with whom you can work? Can a number of organizations work together to raise funds for one person to attend and represent all? Are you participating in any national, regional or global networks that are also engaged in monitoring the review? Are these networks trying to establish common positions and lobbying points? Cooperate with NGOs that are working on the same issues but will not be able to travel to the Special Session or preparatory meetings. Being physically present at an inter-governmental meeting is not the only effective way to influence the process. Much of the national-level work can be carried out very effectively through networking and information sharing. Prepare position papers. These are very useful conference tools. Keep them short - from 2-5 pages if possible. Each paper should clearly state your proposals for action to be taken by governments and the UN system. Send your position papers and reports to the relevant government departments and other NGOs, both in your region and elsewhere, and to the Conference Secretariat. NGOs are increasingly using electronic communication networks to disseminate their reports. Work with the media to help mobilize public support for your views and encourage governments to accept them. Media activities (press releases, contact with journalists, etc.) should be integrated into your preparation. When attending a Special Session, plan to stay at least 24 hours beyond the official end of the meeting as they frequently run late. Bring a portable office to the meeting. While limited on-site facilities and computer access are sometimes available to NGOs, it is likely that you will need additional capacity. Important: To ensure that you satisfy the accreditation procedures when you register, bring a copy of the letter sent by your organization to the conference Secretariat identifying you as their official representative, as well as a passport or some other photo identification to be used for the issuing of a UN grounds pass. Follow-Up Whether you attend WSSD+5 or not, the resolutions and recommendations contained in the resulting documents can be used as local organizing tools. Here are some suggestions for how to follow-up on the issues raised and the decisions made: Check official websites for any final documents, since most will be posted on-line, or contact the Secretariat. We will also frequently update this site referring you to the latest documents. Identify the appropriate department(s) in your government that are responsible for implementing the social development agenda and incorporating the recommendations from WSSD+5 after the Special Session. Continue to work in regional and international networks as these will provide a powerful source of information for sharing strategies and building accountability practices. Organize a meeting within two to three months after the Special Session to develop an action plan and commitments to follow-up. Invite relevant actors - government representatives, NGOs, the media, academics, private sector representatives, donors, UN organizations - to brainstorm together on next steps. How to Participate without Leaving Home Ideas for NGOs working at the national level: A great deal of important work can be done without being physically present at a PrepCom or a UN meeting. In fact, it could be said that the work at the international level counts for little without corresponding and complementary work at the national and local levels. Here are some ideas on what can be done at the national level: Identify the government ministries and staff preparing your government's position. Suggest consultations as they prepare their reports, responses and recommendations. Find out who will be on your national delegation to the regional and international preparatory meetings and the Special Session. Establish contact with them. Set up meetings with government representatives before they attend PrepComs and reviews in order to have input into the policy-formulation process and national reports. Provide your own reports or position papers. Prepare information on the upcoming conference in order to mobilize awareness among your country's citizens. Try to convince the local and national press to cover stories about the meeting, its importance, and your government's participation. Encourage gender balance and participation of NGOs on the delegation. Inquire about and seek input into the government's responses to the questionnaires sent by the Secretariat to solicit governments' views. National responses are usually coordinated domestically by the foreign or relevant ministry. Link up with other organizations to achieve greater influence. Work with parliamentarians who can monitor government preparations and provide information on issues being debated. Where feasible, arrange for parliamentary discussions on your government's policies. Ask for copies of your government's UN statements. These are public documents and are available from foreign ministries and UN Missions. (See Annex One.) The regional preparatory process: In order to most effectively influence the regional process, you should establish contact with the relevant Regional Economic Commission. You might also consider the following: Collaborate with groups at the national level before the regional preparatory meeting. Develop a regional NGO position or program for the conference. Work with other NGOs in your region to prepare regional alternative reports. Explore the possibilities of having representatives of women's organizations and other NGOs appointed to your national delegation. Organize or participate in caucuses and other relevant meetings. * based on: UNIFEM, 2000: Gender on the Agenda. A Guide to Participating in Beijing+5. NGO Steering Committee to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, 1999. Guide to the 7th Session. Lobbying - contributing to and influencing the process * * Working with Government Delegates * Working with Other NGOs * Working through a Caucus * Working with the Secretariat * Making Statements Working with the Media Working with Government Delegates At all UN meetings - whether international or regional - influencing the outcomes depends upon the ability of NGOs to identify government delegates who are sympathetic to their views and willing to work collaboratively. However, it is also important to identify and interact with delegates who have views very different from your own. In working with delegates, it is important to keep the following in mind: Some delegates are highly qualified experts in their field or skilled negotiators from a country's diplomatic service, while others might be attending an international meeting for the first time. Some delegates are used to working closely with NGOs, while others have little or no experience of doing so. The beginning and end of daily sessions are good times to interact with delegates. Delegates can be identified by noting the country sign at their seat. Some social functions, receptions, lunches, coffee breaks, etc. can provide a good opportunity to talk to delegates informally. Delegates are often willing to use NGO proposals if these are presented in UN style. If delegates include your concerns or take up your suggested amendments in their positions, do not forget to express your appreciation. Government delegates can also be invited to speak at caucus meetings and other NGO events to elaborate their national, regional or negotiating group priorities and positions. Working with Other NGOs Working with other NGOs is one of the most important strategies for influencing an international or regional UN meeting. Even NGOs that disagree about certain approaches and priorities may find areas of common interest and be able to work together to include their concerns on the agenda. As an NGO representative at an international or regional meeting, you could consider the following: There is frequently an NGO meeting room. Find out where this is and visit frequently to obtain up-to-date information. Meet regularly with NGOs to exchange information. By working with others, you can cover multiple simultaneous meetings, help each other monitor government positions, and coordinate lobbying efforts. Find NGOs from your country and organize together to hold a meeting with your government delegation. You can also arrange briefings open to all NGOs to attend. Share official conference documents, which are frequently in short supply or less readily available to NGOs. Circulate useful NGO statements and materials widely to the conference Secretariat, Member State delegations, and other NGOs. Organize with NGOs from your region into regional caucuses or organize around specific issues or thematic areas. You can develop common strategies, prepare statements, and suggest amendments to government negotiating texts. At UN world conferences and preparatory meetings, NGOs often organize to produce a daily newspaper. This is usually an excellent source of information and opinions. You might contribute an article to it or have your position paper printed. Working through a Caucus At many UN meetings, NGOs form caucuses or groups of organizations and individuals interested in similar issues. Caucuses meet regularly (often daily) to exchange information, hold briefings, and formulate positions or statements relevant to the proceedings. A caucus can also meet with policy-makers who will be responsible for implementing the program of action produced by the Special Session. In addition, caucuses are often formed around a wide range of issues covered by a given meeting's agenda and on a regional basis. Make sure you are aware if there are any rules or procedures, as agreed by the NGOs themselves, on how to set up a caucus. For the sake of transparency, inclusiveness and democracy, NGOs are sometimes have given themselves rules of operation and collaboration. Working with the Secretariat The Secretariat plays an important role in the review process: it prepares the background documents for a review, drafts programs, and may be involved in implementing the results of the review. The Secretariat also handles accreditation, registration, and space for activities during the PrepCom and the Special Session. In addition, the Secretariat usually assigns at least one officer to work with NGOs. This person will answer enquiries from NGOs and keep them informed about recent developments. Check the Information for NGOs section for details. Working with the Secretariat can include the following: Establishing contact with the Secretariat staff responsible for information dissemination and liaison with NGOs: In th ecase of WSSD+5, this is Mr Yao Ngoran, Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations, Room DC2-1360, New York, NY 10017, USA. Tel. +1 212 963 3175, fax +1 212 963 3062. e-mail: ngoran@un.org. Identifying Secretariat staff who are writing reports on substantive issues, and enquiring about how to submit useful and relevant information. Making Statements NGOs accredited to participate in the Special Session have some limited opportunities for making statements by requesting a place on the speakers' list, which is handled by the Secretariat. If you are going to make a statement: Keep it brief and to the point. Be polite, but make your points clearly. If the meeting has interpretation, speak slowly enough for the interpreters to keep up with you. If there is a time limit for statements, keep within it. Avoid general statements. Be relevant to the agenda item. Aim for concrete proposals for action. Have written copies of your statement available for delegates, interpreters, and the Secretariat. Think about the pros and cons of making a statement. You can often approach delegates individually. NGOs often present joint statements at meetings or circulate joint position papers, for example regional or issue caucus papers. These can have an influence on the negotiations and are a way for NGOs to express their solidarity. When presenting any statement, joint or otherwise, do not say that you are speaking on behalf of all the NGOs at the meeting unless you are sure that every NGO at the meeting supports your statement. Working with the Media Journalists from nationally and internationally circulated newspapers, television, and radio, as well as representatives from the alternative media, attend major UN meetings. Media work (press releases, contacts with journalists) could be integrated into your organization's overall strategy for attending the review and mobilizing public support for your position. The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI): At UN meetings, DPI coordinates the UN relationship with the press (newspapers, radio, television, etc.). This involves organizing a press room, holding daily briefings, distributing press releases, and sponsoring press conferences and other events. For additional information about media accreditation, contact the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit at telephone +1-212-963-4642 (fax). For information about NGO activities, contact the NGO Section at telephone +1-212-963-6842. * based on: NGO Steering Committee to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, 1999. Guide to the 7th Session. UNIFEM, 2000: Gender on the Agenda. A Guide to Participating in Beijing+5. International Negotiations * Reaching Consensus: Negotiating the Documents The documents that will represent the outcome of the Special Session are still under negotiation. Giving form and detail to the outcome documents is a process of negotiation and decision-making within and among Member States. These decisions are made in a variety of sessions including general debates, plenaries, panels, and closed working and informal groups. Often, these entail protracted negotiations and compromises in order to reach decisions and resolutions that will be contained in a report to be adopted at the conclusion of the meeting. The aim of the negotiations is to develop a text that all Member States will adopt by consensus. Finding a way to influence what is included in these documents is a particular challenge. The following is a rough description of the different phases of a typical negotiating process that applies to PrepComs, Special Sessions, and other UN inter-governmental meetings: Delegates to the meeting select a chairperson, vice chairpersons, and rapporteur, and formally adopt the agenda. The plenary session often begins with a general debate, which contains statements from governments and UN agencies. Government statements articulate their national position and priorities and serve to place official policy on the record. NGOs also have some opportunities to make statements. Sometimes a group or coalition of governments makes a joint statement. Draft texts are prepared and sponsored by governments or groupings of governments. The draft text becomes the focus of discussion and reaction, usually in 'informal' sessions (a session closed to the press - and often to NGOs - and for which there is no official record). Working groups of Member States are formed to undertake negotiations that include specific amendments proposed by government delegates. If all the negotiators do not agree to the amendments, the text is placed in brackets, meaning that further discussion is required. Once negotiations have taken place and consensus has been reached among Member States, the brackets are removed and the text can no longer be changed. Future work is concentrated on the bracketed text upon which consensus has not yet been reached. On particularly controversial issues, the chairperson might ask a smaller number of governments that disagree on particular language to caucus, settle their differences, and come back to the meeting with agreed-upon language. At various stages during this process, different techniques and types of papers are used to facilitate negotiations among governments. These include the chairperson's summaries, 'non-papers' (unofficial drafts), conference-room papers and other papers. As the pace of negotiations picks up, new draft paragraphs can be issued on an almost hourly basis. They are identified by date/time only, and are generally available only in English. While negotiations take place in the meeting, delegates frequently and regularly consult with their relevant national ministry in their country's capital city. The ministry will send instructions on how to respond - whether to adjust the policy and write the changes into its plans, whether to accept proposed formulations or offer alternative suggestions - and when and how much to compromise. Generally, as the meeting nears conclusion, the group meetings of delegates become smaller. Chairpersons or convenors of negotiating groups may hold informal discussions in small conference rooms, their offices, in the corridor, or "over coffee." Such meetings are not listed in the UN Journal, which announces daily meetings. Text will be issued with all the newly agreed-upon language incorporated into the text, including any remaining brackets. Negotiations will continue until consensus is reached or a vote is taken on the resolution or decision. In the final stages of a meeting, negotiations frequently continue late into the night. A text is rarely "defeated" by vote, as the sponsors will usually withdraw the text if they are not sure of a majority. Only in the rarest of cases, if ever, will a major program of action be put to a vote. Consensus is the rule. Finally, the text will be adopted. Government Negotiating Groups Some government negotiating groups are well established in the UN system, such as the Group of 77 (G-77). Others, such as the European Union, are formal institutions both within and outside the UN system. A number of Member States tend to operate independently of negotiating blocks or in association with them. Below are some of the most common negotiating groups. These are continually evolving. G-77 / China: Caucus of over 130 developing countries and China European Union (EU): Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom. At negotiations, the country currently in presidency of the EU will speak for the Union. Portugal is in presidency January - June 2000. Caribbean Community (CARICOM): Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago JUS-CANZ: Japan, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand Negotiations within any particular UN meeting may reflect not only the concerns of governments regarding that specific issue, but also echo the wider geopolitical context within which any issue or set of issues is framed. For example, finance for development issues and relations between South and North are being reflected in negotiations on numerous issues more or less closely related to questions of finance. * based on: NGO Steering Committee to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, 1999. Guide to the 7th Session. UNIFEM, 2000: Gender on the Agenda. A Guide to Participating in Beijing+5. The United Nations and Non-Government Organisations - coming soon - The UN in Geneva - coming soon - The United Nations World Conferences: A Brief Introduction * Since 1990, the international community has convened 12 major conferences which have committed Governments to address urgently some of the most pressing problems facing the world today. Taken together, these high profile meetings have achieved a global consensus on the priorities for a new development agenda for the 1990s and beyond. This continuum of conferences represents a remarkable achievement for the United Nations system. Through the conference process the entire international community has come together to agree on shared values, on shared goals and on strategies to achieve them. This effort shows one of the United Nations system's greatest strengths: the ability to move from consciousness-raising to agenda-setting to agreement on action by Member States to follow-up on conference commitments and to effective assistance for the countries that need help in realizing their commitments.Taken individually, each conference marked the culmination of many months of consultations among Member States, UN experts and non-governmental representatives, who reviewed vast amounts of information and shared a broad spectrum of experiences in child welfare, environmental protection, human rights, the advancement of women, productive employment, reproductive health and urban development, and the links of these to peace, development and human security. Each conference forged agreements on specific issues in a new spirit of global cooperation and purpose. Every meeting has demonstrated the universality of concern regarding the issues in question. All were convened with the strong support of the UN General Assembly, currently the voice of 185 Member States, and the recognition that the end of the cold war presented the opportunity - indeed, the necessity - to revitalize international cooperation on development issues. All addressed problems of a global magnitude which Member States recognized had grown beyond their individual capacities to solve and which needed a concerted international effort. All of them reflect the work of Member States and a growing number of other actors in the field of international development, particularly non-governmental organizations (NGOs). All of them actively sought out media attention, capturing the imaginations of millions of people around the world and greatly enhancing awareness and understanding of the issues in the public at large.Global conferences have made a long-term impact by: mobilizing national and local governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to take action on a major global problem; establishing international standards and guidelines for national policy; serving as a forum where new proposals can be debated and consensus sought; setting in motion a process, whereby governments make commitments and report back regularly to the United Nations. To ensure effective follow-up, a series of special sessions of the UN General Assembly is being held to assess implementation of each Conference's action plan at the five-year mark, and to set future priorities. However, apart from all the mechanisms and institutions which have been established at governmental and inter-governmental levels, it takes the universal participation and strong commitment by all stakeholders to make the Global Plans of Action a reality. The Challenges Ahead The world conferences reaffirmed many long-standing principles and helped articulate new ones that reflect the experience - both the successes and failures - of the past 50 years of work in the principal areas of the UN mandate. Both the conferences and the parallel work on "An Agenda for Development", the evolving proposal for a new approach to development, currently being revised by the General Assembly, have focused attention on problems of development and reflect the new thinking that has emerged over the past decade in the face of ever-changing circumstances. The Agenda's call for a "common framework" for the various initiatives for development and the emphasis placed on integrated follow-up have been echoed in the conferences. The conferences also linked the themes and action plans to each other in a deliberate way. Although there is no universal prescription for successful development, the conferences reflect the growing convergence of views that democracy, development and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. There is also concern that the "top-down" approach to development be countered by genuine input from the community level to the policy-making process. These are concepts that mark major shifts in thinking, not simply among some development specialists or academics, but by government leaders and policy makers who are setting policy at the highest levels. These can be expected to have a far-reaching impact at all levels of society.There is increasing acceptance of a common concept of development, which is centred on human beings, their needs, rights and aspirations, fostered by sustainable global economic growth and supported by a revitalized and equitable system of multilateral cooperation. These major international conferences have played a key role in building this consensus and in identifying the actions needed to fulfill common goals. New approaches to development A variety of guidelines and principles reflecting the new thinking about development are highlighted in the action plans of the world conferences. The action plans call for their integration into policy and programme formulation at both the national and international levels. These constitute the bases for evaluation of the Conference accomplishments over time. Development should be centred on human beings. Because an individual's well-being is multifaceted, a multidimensional approach to development is essential. Therefore, any formulation of strategies, policies, and national, regional and international actions has to be based on an integrated and comprehensive approach.Central goals of development include the eradication of poverty, the fulfilment of the basic needs of all people and the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, the right to development among them. Development requires that governments apply active social and environmental policies, and the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on the basis of democratic and widely participatory institutions. Goals of economic growth and social progress in larger freedom must therefore be pursued simultaneously and in an integrated manner. Investments in health, education and training are critical to the development of human resources. Social development is best pursued if governments actively promote empowerment and participation in a democratic and pluralistic system respectful of all human rights. Processes to promote increased and equal economic opportunities, to avoid exclusion and overcome socially divisive disparities while respecting diversity are also a necessary part of an enabling environment for social development. The improvement of the status of women, including their empowerment, is central to all efforts to achieve sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions. Diversion of resources away from social priorities should be avoided and, where it has occurred, be corrected. The formulation of structural adjustment policies and programmes should take these considerations into account. An open and equitable framework for trade, investment and technology transfer, as well as enhanced cooperation in the management of a globalized world economy and in the formulation and implementation of macroeconomic policies, are critical for the promotion of sustained economic growth. While the private sector is the primary motor for economic development, the importance of an active role for governments in the formulation of social and environmental policies should not be underestimated. An acceleration of the rate of economic growth is essential for expanding the resource base for development and hence for economic, technical and social transformation. Economic growth generates the required financial, physical, human and technological resources and creates a basis for sustained global economic growth and sustainable development as well as for international economic cooperation. It is also essential to the eradication of poverty. * taken & adapted from: UN Briefing Papers/The World Conferences: Developing Priorities for the 21st Century. 1997, 112 pp., ISBN 92-1-100631-7, Sales No. E.97.I.5. Available now in English, forthcoming in French and Spanish. $12.00. available at: http://www.un.org/geninfo/bp/worconf.html and from: United Nations Conferences: What have They Accomplished? at http://www.un.org/News/facts/confrncs.htm