RIGHTS-BASED APPROACH TO DISABILITY ISSUES, SECOND AGEING ASSEMBLY DISCUSSED IN COMMISSION FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Commission for Social Development
Fortieth Session
14 February 2002
7th and 8th Meetings (AM & PM)





The problems of people with disabilities and the forthcoming Second World Assembly on Ageing, to be held in Madrid, Spain, from 8 to 12 April, were the focus of attention at the Commission for Social Development as it began reviewing United Nations plans and programmes concerning particular social groups today. Also high on the agenda were preparations for the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family in 2004.

Nearly ten years have passed since the General Assembly adopted 22 Standard Rules for the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in 1993, which have since become a major policy-making tool at both international and national levels. To make the Rules even more effective, the Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Disability, Bengt Linqvist, has recently proposed a series of measures to complement them.

Introducing his report and the suggested supplement entitled “Reaching the Most Vulnerable”, Mr. Linqvist stressed the importance of a combined social development and human rights-based approach in the disability field. He reminded the Commission that about 600 million people lived with disabilities all over the world. While their living conditions varied, they were united in one common experience -- being exposed to various forms of exclusion. That phenomenon was rooted in ignorance, low expectations and prejudice.

He encouraged the Commission to promote the implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules; initiate measures to make the United Nations human rights machinery work better in the context of disability; and concentrate on the elaboration of a special convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

In a subsequent interactive session, there was agreement that negative attitudes could lead to exclusion and marginalization of persons with disabilities. Such exclusion deprived countries of active participation by a significant societal group. Speakers also agreed on the importance of addressing the remaining shortcomings and gaps in the Standard Rules, which included the need to further develop policies on children with disabilities and gender aspects of the problem.

On the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules and the existing human rights instruments, several speakers confirmed the relevance of the original document. They also supported the “twin-track approach” to human rights and social aspects of the problem; improved cooperation between United Nations bodies in the field of disability; and continued monitoring of policy development.

Also today, Felipe Paolillo (Uruguay), Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, reported on the status of the preparatory process for that event. Serious progress had been made during a number of meetings of the Preparatory Committee, which is expected to conclude its work in March. Still to be resolved were the problems of debt relief in relation to the phenomenon of ageing; the links with human rights; and certain aspects of the issue of employment opportunities and social security for the elderly.

Regarding the tenth anniversary of the Year of the Family, several speakers highlighted the need to elaborate a long-term global programme of action on families similar to those on the advancement of women and ageing. Also noted were the negative effects that conflicts, poverty, violence, HIV/AIDS and displacement had on the family unit. The governments and the international community were urged to provide a healthy and sustainable environment for the well-being of families. They expressed hope that the forthcoming celebration would provide an accurate assessment of the needs of the families and the status of implementation of related programmes.

Speaking today were the representatives of Spain on behalf of the European Union, Mexico, Sweden, the Philippines, and China.

Also addressing the Commission were the representatives of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia.

The following non-governmental organizations also spoke today: Inclusion International, World Blind Union, World Federation of the Deaf, the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, Foundation for the Rights of the Family, International Federation for Home Economics and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies.

At 10 a.m. tomorrow, 15 February, the Commission will continue its general discussion on the review of United Nations plans and programmes pertaining to the situation of particular social groups.


Background

Having concluded its consideration of the priority theme of the current session -– integration of social and economic policies -- yesterday, the Commission for Social Development this morning was expected to begin its review of United Nations programmes of action pertaining to particular social groups. Those include the plans for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, the report of the Special Rapporteur on Disability, and preparations for the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family. For background information on the documents before the Commission, see Press Release SOC/4589 of 6 February.


Statements

FELIPE PAOLILLO (Uruguay), Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Second World Assembly on Ageing, reported on the status of the preparatory process for that event, which would take place in Madrid, Spain, in April, with the participation of high-level representatives of Governments, non-governmental organizations and civil society from all over the world. The international plan of action to be adopted by the Assembly was being negotiated within the Preparatory Committee, which had already made serious progress during a number of meetings.

Since the beginning of preparatory work, much had been achieved, he continued. Meetings had been held this month, and the work was expected to be completed by the middle of March. Lively discussion was continuing on parts of the text where agreement had not yet been reached. Still to be resolved were the problems of debt relief in relation to the phenomenon of ageing; the links with human rights; and certain aspects of the issue of employment opportunities and social security for the elderly. It was also important to deal with the monitoring of the action plan and the question of international cooperation.

He hoped the outcome of the conference would determine the content of both national and international policies on the ageing in the future. It was important that the action plan referred to various subjects of concern to the developing countries, taking into account their cultural and economic diversity. The questions of the elderly persons versus development; improvement of life and health of the older persons; and creation of a favourable environment for their participation in social life were among the priorities to be addressed. The Preparatory Committee and Spain, the host country, hoped that the Assembly would highlight the important problems in the new century and determine ways of tackling them.

BENGT LINDQVIST, Special Rapporteur on Disability, said there were about
600 million people in the world living with a disability. Their living conditions varied, but they were united in one common experience -- being exposed to various forms of exclusion. The phenomenon of exclusion was rooted in ignorance, low expectations and prejudice. It could often be observed in quite open forms, but sometimes it was hidden in more sophisticated types of behaviour. How could one put an end to this form of discrimination? How could the United Nations support and encourage the development towards full participation and equal rights for persons with disabilities? A good beginning was made though the adoption in
1982 of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons and through the adoption of the Standard Rules in 1993.

The current year held great opportunities for advancing disability matters within the United Nations. Based on his report, the Commission was expected to consider proposals concerning the future of the United Nations Standard Rules and related issues. In April, the Human Rights Commission would consider the outcome of a study on how to strengthen the protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities. These important events were all the result of the development towards a rights-based approach in the disability field. He said there was also a supplement of his report containing recommendations in areas such as adequate standards of living, housing, disabled people in emergency situations, violence and abuse, gender issues, the situation of children, and elderly people with disabilities. He recommended that the supplement called “Reaching the most vulnerable” be adopted by the United Nations as a supplement to the Standard Rules.

He encouraged the Commission to pursue three lines of development, including the active promotion of the implementation of the United Nations Standard Rules; the initiation of measures to make the United Nations human rights machinery work better in the context of disability; and the concentration of efforts on the elaboration of a special convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Disability-related problems needed to be approached from both a social development and human rights perspective, he said. There was also a number of good reasons for a special convention in the field of disability. The General Assembly had taken the first step toward a new instrument, and the elaboration must be based on the assumption that the Standard Rules must continue to play an active role and that the mainstream alternative in human rights must also be pursued.


Interactive Session

In a lively discussion that followed the presentations, several speakers shared their national and regional experiences concerning improving the environment for persons with disabilities and described their relevant national policies. The Commission was also informed about the outcome of a recent experts’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on sustainable livelihoods for all.

In the debate, there was agreement that negative attitudes could lead to exclusion and marginalization of disabled people. That deprived the countries of active participation by a significant group of people with disabilities. Speakers also agreed regarding the need to address the remaining shortcomings and gaps in the Standard Rules, which included the need to further develop policies on children with disabilities and gender aspects of the problem. The division between what was being done in the fields of human rights and social policies remained a serious cause of concern.

On the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules and the existing human rights instruments, several speakers confirmed the relevance of the original document and supported the “twin-track" approach to human rights and social aspects of the problem; improved cooperation between United Nations bodies in the field of disability; and continued monitoring of policy development. As for the favourable environment for people with disabilities, one delegate asked how the United Nations could contribute to dealing with the problems, which still existed in some countries. Several speakers also wanted to know if the Standard Rules themselves had been adopted by the General Assembly “lock, stock and barrel” and if the governments could still revise and modify them.

It was said that dissemination of information and best practices was of great importance. Also important was new research on the matter. In that connection, questions were asked about the proposed virtual meetings of the actors involved.

Community-based rehabilitation and involvement-based programmes were proposed as effective means of involving disabled persons in social life and development. Also stressed was the need to overcome the traditional stereotypes and include people with disabilities in development programmes. Fostering employment of disabled persons should become a priority, making the working place accessible to them, providing training and eliminating discrimination against them. It was also important to explore an incentive system for wider participation.

Responding to questions and comments from the floor, Mr. LINDQVIST said that such examples as the European Year for People with Disabilities and the work of a non-governmental organization on the rights of disabled children could serve as examples to others. The fight against exclusion should include dissemination of information, sharing of positive practices and raising of awareness of the problem.

The proposal for a virtual inter–agency mechanism was envisioned as a tool to improve interaction between various players, for the issue required common planning and initiatives, he said. It was a realistic idea, which was expected to be cost-effective. If a convention on disabilities were to be elaborated, it should become a point of reference for the international community. The Standard Rules had already become part of the efforts to address the problem. He believed that in view of the weakness of the existing international norms and standards, both a convention and the rules were needed.

The supplement to the Standard Rules was open for discussion, he said. It was important to find the consultations machinery to allow for direct contribution from governments on the matter. When the Standard Rules had been adopted by consensus by the Assembly in 1993, approximately 75 government delegations took part in their elaboration along with major international non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The issue of disabilities was also relevant for elderly people, he said. Based on his mandate, if invited, he could contribute to the work of the World Assembly on Ageing. As for the role of the United Nations, he said that the Organization could provide guidance to the work on the special convention and standards on disability and human rights. Many national institutions were also participating in the monitoring of efforts to address the needs of disabled people.

The issue of research was also emphasized in the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules, he said. Universities and other research institutes had an important role to play in that respect. It was necessary to describe the living conditions of various groups of disabled people and propose measures to deal with their problems. Research was needed to provide information about the situation on the ground and the effect of existing programmes on disabled people. He was expecting the conclusion of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) decade on disabled persons, concluding this year, and he commended the leaders of the region for their contribution.


General Debate

JOSE MANUEL LOPEZ-BARRON (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the European Union attached the greatest relevance to the strengthening of the protection and the promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, as they were entitled to the same human rights as everyone else. The European Union had proclaimed 2003 as the European Year for People with Disabilities, and its Parliament had invited the Commission to submit legislative proposals on this issue. The European Union also looked forward to taking an active and constructive part in the formulation of recommendations from the Commission to be submitted to the Ad-Hoc Committee on the pronouncement on the principle of drawing up a convention.

The European Union considered that all efforts must be made to strengthen current legal and other instruments, as well as to carry out a multi-track approach, demanding more effective coordination between the Human Rights Commission and the Commission for Social Development, he said.

Concerning the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules, he said that it must be further analyzed, due to the complexity and diversity of the new challenges of twenty-first century society. Forms for future monitoring must be further examined. The European Union attached great importance to the proposal made by the Special Rapporteur regarding different ways to strengthen the already existing mechanisms of protection of the human rights of persons with disabilities, as encouraged by Human Rights Commission resolution 2000/51.

BLANCA LILIA GARCIA LOPEZ (Mexico) said there were 800 million people with disabilities that had not received appropriate attention by the international community. An approach to deal with that vulnerable group must be two-fold. First, legal mechanisms and monitoring mechanisms needed to be established to ensure the protection of the human rights of people with disabilities. Secondly, it was necessary to overcome the prejudice and societal bias against people with disabilities. Over the last 14 years, non-governmental organizations and governments had launched several initiatives to improve the plight of disabled persons. The President of Mexico had proposed the elaboration of a convention for the protection of the human rights of the disabled during last year’s General Assembly session.

Mexico had been involved in active consultations with experts in order to achieve the elaboration of such a convention. She added that a meeting was being organized in Mexico, which she hoped the special rapporteur would attend, which aimed to look at the possibility of a preliminary draft of such a convention. That meeting would include the input of both governmental and non-governmental experts. It was hoped that a convention would become a functional instrument which would strengthen cooperation and raise awareness about the plight of people with disabilities. The Mexican Government was now attempting to systemize efforts already undertaken, together with civil society and international organizations.

MIKAEL SJOBERG (Sweden) said that as outlined in the Standard Rules on equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, the international standards on human rights must be ensured to all individuals without discrimination. Over the years, disability policy had developed from elementary care at institutions, through education and rehabilitation for a more active life, to a human rights perspective. The disability policy of the Swedish Government, both nationally and internationally, was based on the idea of full participation of all citizens in society on equal terms. Two years ago the Swedish Parliament had accepted a government bill, “From patient to citizen -– a national action plan for disability policy”. The visions for the future were far from fulfilled, but the goals were clear.

A disability became a handicap only when the individual came up against shortcomings in the environment, in activities or in information. Therefore, when planning for measures to eliminate these obstacles, focus must be on society -– not on the individual. To succeed, a crucial measure was to raise awareness in society of rights, abilities and needs of persons. The Special Rapporteur had made some recommendations about how to complement the rules in areas where it was evident that there were some shortcomings. Sweden fully supported the recommendations and intended to be highly involved in the coming work. He welcomed the suggestions of a supplement to the Standard Rules and recommendations on how to develop a disability perspective within the follow-up of existing human rights conventions. Sweden also supported the idea of a convention to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities through a "twin-track approach."

It was important that the further process was inclusive. Time must be given, and practical arrangements must be made in order to make it possible for organizations of persons with disabilities to participate in the process. He added that in all societies there was a risk that persons with disabilities were excluded, made invisible and objectified. The Commission was reminded that persons with disabilities most often belonged to the poorest of the poor, that poverty itself increased the risk for disability, and that limited access to education and working life led to poverty. Combating poverty therefore must have a high priority in international disability policy. The rights and needs of persons with disabilities also had to be included in development cooperation.

BACRE WALY NDIAYE, of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, said the adoption of the Standard Rules in 1993, and the appointment of Mr. Bengt Lindqvist as Special Rapporteur on the implementation and monitoring of the Standard Rules had helped identify national and international measures needed to improve the life of persons with disabilities. For too long, the approach to disability issues had been exclusively from a social welfare perspective, rather than recognizing persons with disabilities as full members of the society and as rights-holders. The United Nations human rights instruments provided for the enjoyment of all rights set forth in the treaties without discrimination, he said. Those provisions provided a framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. However, efforts must focus on more effective and structured action to implement international commitments.

In that regard, activities undertaken at different levels and by different United Nations organs, bodies and agencies to address issues related to disability were encouraging, he said. However, coordination and sharing of responsibilities within the United Nations system had to be strengthened. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had reinforced its cooperation with the Special Rapporteur on disability and had commissioned a study to evaluate existing human rights standards and mechanisms and their functioning in the field of human rights and disability. The study had been designed with three aims: to provide a reference work on human rights and disability; to review the relevance and functioning of the United Nations human rights system in the context of disability; and to suggest options for the future.

FLORENCE CHENOWETH, of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said the increase in the proportion of older people in the population had become a prominent topic for studies on its implications regarding demographic change. Proportions of ageing vis-à-vis the general population had emerged as global phenomena in the wake of the virtually universal decline in fertility and, to a lesser extent, to the declines in mortality. It was often assumed that in developing countries, ageing extended longer in urban areas, while fertility decline was more advanced than in rural settings. In reality, however, the statistical age of rural populations was often greater because rural to urban migration could sharply reduce the proportion of adults of working age in rural areas and therefore increased that of older persons. HIV/AIDS compounded that problem in a growing number of countries, as it affected mainly reproductive age groups, raising further the proportion of elderly persons.

The FAO had identified work on rural ageing as one of its priorities for sustainable development and sought member countries to develop appropriate responses to challenges arising from population ageing. The FAO dealt with family livelihood strategies which might become more conservative and subsistence–oriented; production options, such as cropping patterns which could evolve into less labour-intensive activities; and support to elderly persons which could be particularly problematic in rural areas, where, as a rule, no institutionalized support systems existed. Studies undertaken by FAO had concluded that issues related to older persons in rural areas differed significantly from those in urban settings. Countries must respond to the challenges posed by rural ageing -– they must seize the opportunity to rethink their agricultural and rural development policies and incorporate the ageing factor into the development process.

He concluded that HIV/AIDS was likely to modify the population age and sex composition in high-incidence countries, in ways that had never been experienced before. Given the population dynamics created by HIV/AIDS, the rural elderly population would increasingly constitute a vital resource for the alleviation of negative effects of the epidemic.

DON WILLIS, of Inclusion International on behalf of the members of the International Disability Alliance, a network of several international non-governmental organizations working on disability issues, requested that the Commission adopt Mr. Bengtqvist’s texts “Reaching the most vulnerable” as a supplement to the Standard Rules.

KICKI NORSTROM, of the World Blind Union, continued addressing the Commission on behalf of the International Disability Alliance, saying that the Alliance was pleased to note the development of “Disability as a Human Right” and emphasized that resources must be made available to United Nations agencies and to those responsible for the implementation of such policies. Included in that concern was the establishment of an inter-agency mechanism.

He welcomed a possible disability dimension in existing human rights monitoring systems and also supported the elaboration of a future convention and a “twin-track” approach. He asked that the Commission approve the appointment of a new Special Rapporteur and a panel of experts to advise, and to ensure that persons with disabilities were included in the formulation and monitoring of the United Nations Standard Rules.

LISA KAUPINEN, of the World Federation of the Deaf, said she was glad to have the opportunity to speak to the Commission in sign language with the help of an interpreter from Finnish sign language to English. There were 70 million deaf people, most of whom lived in developing countries. Her organization had been involved in with the work on the Standard Rules mentioned by the Special Rapporteur. These rules served as an excellent tool, but there were still countries where deaf people were not allowed to participate in an active manner due to restrictions on sign language.

More than half of all deaf children had no access to education at all, she said. Mechanisms for human rights and rights of children must be more effectively used, remembering that people with disabilities were first and foremost human beings, and second, disabled. She urged the Commission to take the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur seriously, and she hoped that the Commission could guarantee enough resources for that work in the future.

ENRIQUE A. MANALO (Philippines) said his delegation fully supported strengthening the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities. It also continued to support the needs of vulnerable groups, particularly children, women and the elderly, with disabilities. He noted that Member States had improved their national policies on disabilities since the Standard Rules had been approved. Strengthening the Rules would allow them to play a more important role in the future.

His delegation had played an active role in the Third Committee discussions on two drafts relating to the persons with disabilities, he said. It would continue to support United Nations resolutions combating discrimination against persons with disabilities. Close coordination was needed in the work of the Social Development and Human Rights Commissions, which would both make recommendations on the mechanics for actual elaboration of a convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

Much progress in the past 10 years had been made possible through the monitoring by regular reviews and appraisals, he said. Mechanisms for monitoring progress in the future should, therefore, remain in place. He looked forward to the forthcoming review of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons, particularly on new insights in the areas that still needed to be addressed. It was also important to develop a system of information exchange within the United Nations system, taking advantage of the modern communications technologies.

The outcome documents of the Second World Assembly on Ageing and the Special Session on Children should take into account the rights of the persons with disabilities, he continued. He also expressed support for the plans and programmes for the follow-up to the International Year of the Family. Dissemination of information remained central for the success of related efforts. His country was fully committed to formulating policies and programmes that would reinforce the caring and nurturing family environment. One of the proposals his delegation supported in that respect was setting up of a national coordinating committee for the preparation and observance of the celebration in 2004.

SUN ZHONGHUA (China) expressed appreciation for the work of the Special Rapporteur on disability and said it was important to further promote the rights of the people with disabilities. His country was committed to improving their situation and had made remarkable progress in that respect. The country was now implementing its tenth plan on people with disabilities. It also cooperated with the United Nations in its efforts to address the problems and promote the rights of the people with disabilities and was actively involved in all related activities.

His Government supported the proposed supplement to the Standard Rules and the elaboration of the new convention on the people with disabilities, he said. In the past two or three years, China had actively contributed to the definition of the proposed convention within the United Nations system. As none of the existing instruments protecting the rights of people with disabilities were internationally binding, a legally binding convention was now needed. The rights of people with disabilities could only be realized through social development. For its part, China was prepared to work on the elaboration of the convention as much as possible and was also willing to host a meeting of the related ad hoc committee.

JERROLD W. HUGUET, of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), briefly described ESCAP’s programme on social development. The programme’s entire focus was on assisting the 61 ESCAP members and associate members to achieve the goals that had been set in the relevant international mandates, especially the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, the Millennium Development Goals and the Agenda for Action on Social Development in the ESCAP region. The ESCAP attempted to assist countries in the region through training, technical assistance, information dissemination and the exchange of knowledge and experience.

The ESCAP was concentrating on poverty analysis and monitoring, strengthening the economic and social positions of the poor and enhancing the participation of the poor in decision-making, he continued. Similarly, the priority topics for the programme on social development had direct bearing on economic development and the reduction of poverty. Those topics were social protection, population ageing, gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment, the full participation and equal status of people with disabilities and youth empowerment.

As the United Nations focal point for youth in the Asia and the Pacific region, ESCAP was currently carrying out two projects specifically targeting youth. The first project dealt with youth health and was entitled “Integration of youth health concerns into non-formal education” and focused on the sexual and reproductive health and prevention of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS in Asia. The second project “Strengthening national human resources development capabilities in poverty alleviation and conflict negotiation skills for youth” was a three-year project being implemented in Cambodia, Myanmar, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. He expressed appreciation for the support and cooperation of member governments and other partners that actively participated in the programmes and welcomed suggestions from those governments.

GEORGE KOSSAIFI, of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), pledged solidarity with the Palestinian people and the Iraqi people. He then said ESCWA began its focus on poverty eradication in the early nineties, starting with the assertion that poverty was a multi-dimensional phenomenon that resulted from complex inter-linked determinants. Three distinct and interrelated phases for poverty eradication had been foreseen: analysis of the size and characteristics of poverty; development of policies for its eradication; and creating tools for implementing these policies. He added that three main lessons had been learnt from efforts in poverty eradication. The first was that determinants of poverty could not be confined solely to economic causes. Other determinants were more important in some cases in explaining the incidence of poverty, such as wars, corruption, and poor government at the national as well as the international levels.

The second lesson was the necessity to assess the impact of poverty eradication projects objectively, and the importance of the impact of these projects at the beneficiary level. It had been startling to note that in some cases, no field assessment had been undertaken to ascertain the impact of some projects carried out in the past two or three decades. The third important lesson had been a renewed emphasis on the need for real political will to eradicate poverty coupled with an effective mechanism for this purpose. He added that such a mechanism must involve different ministries, and other actors in civil society.

There were also three major challenges faced in advocating the need for a comprehensive social vision in member countries. The first was the absence of a comprehensive socio-economic framework, within which the social vision could be formulated. There was no real integration of ideas and programmes and no real setting of priorities in the agenda for development. The second challenge was the absence of a social vision encompassing the different sectors of the social field, which included education, employment, social protection, social welfare and housing. The third challenge was the absence of a proper mechanism of coordination between the different sub-sectors in the social field. This was evident at the level of the ministries and related non-governmental organizations. It was therefore recommended that the Commission carry out a survey at the international level to assess the formulation of social policies, and to review the mechanism for their coordination.

PETER CROWLEY, of the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions (ICAA), said he was also speaking on behalf of the Vienna NGO Committee on the Family. Since its inception, the Vienna Committee, which consisted of 63 member organizations, had lobbied for the successful observance of the International Year of the Family in 1994. NGOs could play an important role in the preparations for the tenth anniversary of that event.

Notwithstanding the obvious goals achieved in 1994, the Year had not led to the development of a long-term global programme of action on families similar to those concerning the advancement of women, ageing, youth or disability. The family as a fundamental unit of society was a productive economic unit, and sustainable development could not succeed without the participation and achievement of families. He therefore welcomed resolution 54/24 of 24 January 2000 proclaiming the year 2004 as the tenth anniversary of the International Year of the Family and hoped the observance of that event would lead to an international in-depth debate on family issues.

He urged the United Nations to play a more active role in facilitating the exchange of information on effective family policies and supported the initiative to review the global situation of families in 2004. Governments should be urged to focus on how families were affected by HIV/AIDS and should continue to increase measures to fight poverty. Priority should be given to the situation of refugees, migrants and misplaced families.

ROSINA SANTA OLALLA, of the Foundation for the Rights of the Family (PRODEFA), said the failure to take a family-focused approach to social and economic policies might have the consequence of neglecting a whole sphere of potential participants, or of implementing fragmented policies likely to be ineffective in reducing inequalities or promoting social integration. The network of family life, family-based productive economic systems and decision-making, through which most people contributed to economic activity and civil society, could not be ignored. Many human and social problems remained largely unsolved, and it was necessary to deal with them from a more global perspective -– from a family perspective.

In spite of large cultural differences, all families were related at least to kinship; stability; care and nurturing of children, including education and socialization; mutually supportive relationships and the fostering of personal development. She recommended that the Commission appoint an informal open-ended working group to work out the desirability and feasibility of a declaration on the role, responsibilities and right of the family on the occasion of the year’s tenth anniversary.

MARY MILLER, International Federation for Home Economics, said she was reading a statement on behalf of a large number of other non-governmental organizations. The international community should not forget that war, disease and poverty had a significant effect on families and exacerbated many problems, which arose in situations of conflict and violence. Families, whose members were lost or displaced in conflict, were the basic units in society, and it was important to consider ways to improve their situation.

In preparing for the tenth anniversary of the Year of the Family, it was imperative to urge all Governments to provide a healthy, sustainable environment for the well-being of the families. Also important were social services providing the families with psychological care, housing, public education, health care and opportunities to participate in community planning. It was crucial to treat all members of the family with dignity and respect. It was also essential to address the needs of the ageing world population. She also stressed the importance of establishing monitoring mechanisms to provide an accurate assessment of the needs of families and the implementation of related programmes.

MR. KEANE, of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, said that internationally, traumatic events occurred daily. Conflict like those in Sierra Leone, East Timor, the former Yugoslavia, and Afghanistan; terrorism; and chemical and nuclear disasters all created adversity in the lives of countless people. Rape, child abuse and torture were also common experiences worldwide, affecting untold numbers of individuals and families. Fortunately, most individuals were remarkably resilient. However, traumatic events, especially those of human origin, exposed individuals to overwhelming levels of danger and fear and repetitive exposure to those events depleted personal resources.

Mental health problems of communities transcended time and generations and required intervention, he said. Interventions based on training and education were nearly universally acceptable as methods for improving stressful conditions and promoting resilience. Furthermore, treatment could reduce the severity of the reactions, lend hope for recovery, and prevent a downward deterioration of individual psychological status. His organization’s primary objective was the recognition of the global consequences of traumatic events. Social development and service provision were important forms of justice for those who were adversely affected by traumatic events.




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