Sommaire: EU Presidency Statement - United Nations Commission for Social Development: Review of relevant UN plans and programs of action pertaining to the situation of special groups (11 February 2007: New York)
EU Statement by Mrs. von Bassewitz under Agenda Item 3b (Review of Relevant UN Plans and Programs of Action Pertaining to the Situation of Social Groups) of the 45th Session of the Commission for Social Development, New York
Mr. Chairperson,
I have the honor of speaking on behalf of the European Union, which has two new Member States as of January 1 of this year.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Albania and Serbia, and the EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
Copenhagen
Mr. Chairperson,
1. In 1995, at the World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen, governments adopted a declaration and plan of action that acknowledged the need to put people at the center of development.
The EU reaffirms its determination to ensure a full and effective implementation of the commitments made in Copenhagen and at the 24th special session of the General Assembly.
We also pledge our full commitment to the implementation of the internationally agreed development goals
- including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, as well as the World Summit Outcome Document,
which stressed social development as an essential requirement for just and safe societies.
2. The three pillars of the Copenhagen Plan of Action -
poverty eradication, the promotion of full employment and social integration -
are challenges that governments face worldwide. A global dialog on social issues among the Member States of the United Nations, as equals, is therefore imperative.
However, the EU recognizes that despite the efforts made and progress achieved, the situation in developing countries requires continued attention and action.
Even though social development is primarily an obligation for national governments, it can not be realized without the collective effort of the world community.
Yet, in order to engage these challenges in a sustained way, policies have to be based on the comprehensive and integrated approach of social development as laid out in the Copenhagen documents.
3. The EU attributes great importance to the Commission for Social Development as the key UN body in charge of the follow-up and implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Plan of Action within the framework of the coordinated follow-up of the different world conferences and summits on social and economic issues.
The Commission has been fulfilling this task very well. In the view of the European Union it is now essential to fully implement the reform of the Commission's working methods as agreed during the 44th session and to confirm the Commission as the leading international body on social development.
The EU assures its full support by playing an active role in making the reform a success and strengthening the Commission in carrying out its mandate.
Disabilities
Mr. Chairperson,
4. The UN General Assembly accepted the draft "Convention for the protection of human rights for people with disabilities" on December 13, 2006.
5. The acceptance of the convention was a great success in the effort to protect the human rights of women, men, girls and boys with disabilities.
Due to discriminatory practices persons with disabilities could not fully enjoy the human rights ensured by the existing general conventions.
The new convention attempts to close this protection-gap. It reaffirms that persons with disabilities should be put in a position to enjoy the human rights on an equal basis with others.
It shifts the focus from issues of prevention, medical treatment and charity to the protection and promotion of individual rights based on the respect for human dignity and the diversity of human life.
Ageing
Mr. Chairperson,
8. The EU Commission report entitled "The Demographic Future of Europe - From Challenge to Opportunity" and dated October 12, 2006 clearly shows how severely Europe is affected by demographic change.
Already today, Europe is considered the "oldest" region in the world.
In addition to the steady decline in birth rates and numbers of young people in most EU countries, the population of older people and, especially the very old, is steadily increasing.
Current trends in demographics indicate that ageing of the populations throughout Europe will continue.
9. This creates challenges - but also opportunities. The potential of older members of society, their resources and experiences, present great and manifold opportunities to benefit society.
Realizing these as opportunities, a longer life expectancy becomes a gain not just for the individual, but also for society as a whole.
10. The prerequisite is a positive image of older people. This develops by promoting an understanding of how societies benefit from their older female and male citizens.
For example, in Germany, knowledge and know-how of older women and men are increasingly used to strengthen civil society and create solidarity between generations and a culture of cooperation.
Intragenerational solidarity is also of utmost importance. The economic and social potential of older people is increasingly subject of discussion.
11. In 2002, the UN Second World Assembly on Ageing issued a Political Declaration and adopted the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing.
The European Union once again reaffirms its commitment to it.
The EU committed itself together with the other UNECE states to implement the Regional Implementation Strategy for the Second World Plan on Ageing at the UNECE Minister Conference in Berlin 2002.
This fall, at a conference in Leon, Spain, review and appraisal of the implementation processes of the Regional Implementation Strategy in UNECE-member states will take place.
Youth
Mr. Chairperson,
14. The European Union continues to promote the "World Plan of Action on Youth".
The participation of youth became one of the main themes of the EU Council resolution of November 2006, "Implementing common objectives for promoting active European citizenship through participation by and information for young people".
15. Since young women and men represent 20 percent of Europe's citizens, they are called to play a more active, constructive role in the future of Europe. By adopting this resolution, Member States have committed to further develop concrete actions to encourage young people's active participation in the democratic way of life.
This resolution invites both the EU Commission and EU Member States to develop a long term dialog with young people to deal with issues of concern to them from the local to the European level.
This is an important step towards bringing Europe closer to its young citizens.
16. The new "Youth in Action" program came into effect in the year of the 50th anniversary of the European Union.
Within the next seven years the program provides funding support to projects by youth initiatives, non-profit associations and support organizations that promote the idea of belonging to the European Union and fostering social cohesion and intercultural dialog both inside and outside Europe.
Families
Mr. Chairperson,
20. The Member States of the European Union are like most other countries confronted with great social, economic and demographic changes.
A rising life expectancy and low birth rates have implications for public policies, the society, men and women, young and older people as well as families.
The demographic change confronts societies with a complex and formidable set of interrelated challenges.
However, it also bears opportunities for all of us. A positive response is required.
We have to specify the opportunities and challenges, the required policy responses, the principles for reform as well as the actions that are needed.
23. Family-friendly societies and gender equality are vital to economic growth, prosperity and competitiveness.
Therefore, we need to implement policies that promote jobs for women, in particular the employment of women with children and ensure a balance between work, family and private life for both men and women.
The growing diversity is a challenge to social cohesion. Therefore, equal opportunities for all groups are of particular importance.
24. A better reconciliation between work, family and private life as well as affordable and adequate child-care infrastructure and care facilities for older people are a part of sustainable, family friendly policies.
25. We are convinced that in the context of the demographic change, families, in all their diversity, and family friendly policies are a priority.
The purpose is mainly to continue to raise awareness and to intensify the exchange of views and opinions on family friendly policies bearing in mind that, while policies and measures of international bodies have an impact on families, family policies are a matter of national competence with significantly different approaches in Member States.
28. The EU is seeking a coherent and consistent approach to family policies that help to strengthen families in all regions of Europe and secure prosperity in the future.
The goal during the German EU-Presidency is to create an alliance of families in the European Union.
Conclusion
Mr. Chairperson,
29. I would like to take this opportunity to express the gratitude of the European Union to the non-governmental organizations, which dedicate their work to social groups and thus play a crucial role in promoting the goals of the Copenhagen Declaration and Platform of Action.
The Member States of the European Union truly value their initiatives.
30. The EU looks forward to playing an active role in the discussions of these issues.
Let us work together to further enhance social development and thus capture possibilities for persons with disabilities, the young, older people and families worldwide.
Thank you very much for your attention.
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