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Part A: Current social situation and reasons for
convening the Summit13. We are witnessing in countries throughout the world
the expansion of prosperity for some, unfortunately accompanied by an expansion of
unspeakable poverty for others. This glaring contradiction is unacceptable and needs to be
corrected through urgent actions.
14. Globalization, which is a consequence of increased human mobility, enhanced
communications, greatly increased trade and capital flows, and technological developments,
opens new opportunities for sustained economic growth and development of the world
economy, particularly in developing countries. Globalization also permits countries to
share experiences and to learn from one another's achievements and difficulties, and
promotes a cross-fertilization of ideals, cultural values and aspirations. At the same
time, the rapid processes of change and adjustment have been accompanied by intensified
poverty, unemployment and social disintegration. Threats to human well-being, such as
environmental risks, have also been globalized. Furthermore, the global transformations of
the world economy are profoundly changing the parameters of social development in all
countries. The challenge is how to manage these processes and threats so as to enhance
their benefits and mitigate their negative effects upon people.
15. There has been progress in some areas of social and economic development:
(a) The global wealth of nations has multiplied sevenfold in the past 50 years and
international trade has grown even more dramatically;
(b) Life expectancy, literacy and primary education, and access to basic health care,
including family planning, have increased in the majority of countries and average infant
mortality has been reduced, including in developing countries;
(c) Democratic pluralism, democratic institutions and fundamental civil liberties have
expanded. Decolonization efforts have achieved much progress, while the elimination of
apartheid is a historic achievement.
16. Yet we recognize that far too many people, particularly women and children, are
vulnerable to stress and deprivation. Poverty, unemployment and social disintegration too
often result in isolation, marginalization and violence. The insecurity that many people,
in particular vulnerable people, face about the future - their own and their children's -
is intensifying:
(a) Within many societies, both in developed and developing countries, the gap between
rich and poor has increased. Furthermore, despite the fact that some developing countries
are growing rapidly the gap between developed and many developing countries, particularly
the least developed countries, has widened;
(b) More than one billion people in the world live in abject poverty, most of whom go
hungry every day. A large proportion, the majority of whom are women, have very limited
access to income, resources, education, health care or nutrition, particularly in Africa
and the least developed countries;
(c) There are also serious social problems of a different nature and magnitude in
countries with economies in transition and countries experiencing fundamental political,
economic and social transformations;
(d) The major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the
unsustainable pattern of consumption and production, particularly in industrialized
countries, which is a matter of grave concern, aggravating poverty and imbalances;
(e) Continued growth in the world's population, its structure and distribution, and
its relationship with poverty and social and gender inequality challenge the adaptive
capacities of Governments, individuals, social institutions and the natural environment;
(f) Over 120 million people world wide are officially unemployed and many more are
underemployed. Too many young people, including those with formal education, have little
hope of finding productive work;
(g) More women than men live in absolute poverty and the imbalance continues to grow,
with serious consequences for women and their children. Women carry a disproportionate
share of the problems of coping with poverty, social disintegration, unemployment,
environmental degradation and the effects of war;
(h) One of the world's largest minorities, more than 1 in 10, are people with
disabilities, who are too often forced into poverty, unemployment and social isolation. In
addition, in all countries older persons may be particularly vulnerable to social
exclusion, poverty and marginalization;
(i) Millions of people world wide are refugees or internally displaced persons. The
tragic social consequences have a critical effect on the social stability and development
of their home countries, their host countries and their respective regions.
17. While these problems are global in character and affect all countries, we clearly
acknowledge that the situation of most developing countries, and particularly of Africa
and the least developed countries, is critical and requires special attention and action.
We also acknowledge that these countries, which are undergoing fundamental political,
economic and social transformation, including countries in the process of consolidating
peace and democracy, require the support of the international community.
18. Countries with economies in transition, which are also undergoing fundamental
political, economic and social transformation, require the support of the international
community as well.
19. Other countries that are undergoing fundamental political, economic and social
transformation require the support of the international community as well.
20. The goals and objectives of social development require continuous efforts to
reduce and eliminate major sources of social distress and instability for the family and
for society. We pledge to place particular focus on and give priority attention to the
fight against the world-wide conditions that pose severe threats to the health, safety,
peace, security and well-being of our people. Among these conditions are chronic hunger;
malnutrition; illicit drug problems; organized crime; corruption; foreign occupation;
armed conflicts; illicit arms trafficking, terrorism, intolerance and incitement to
racial, ethnic, religious and other hatreds; xenophobia; and endemic, communicable and
chronic diseases. To this end, coordination and cooperation at the national level and
especially at the regional and international levels should be further strengthened.
21. In this context, the negative impact on development of excessive military
expenditures, the arms trade, and investment for arms production and acquisition must be
addressed.
22. Communicable diseases constitute a serious health problem in all countries and are
a major cause of death globally; in many cases, their incidence is increasing. These
diseases are a hindrance to social development and are often the cause of poverty and
social exclusion. The prevention, treatment and control of these diseases, covering a
spectrum from tuberculosis and malaria to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), must be given the highest priority.
23. We can continue to hold the trust of the people of the world only if we make their
needs our priority. We know that poverty, lack of productive employment and social
disintegration are an offence to human dignity. We also know that they are negatively
reinforcing and represent a waste of human resources and a manifestation of
ineffectiveness in the functioning of markets and economic and social institutions and
processes.
24. Our challenge is to establish a people-centred framework for social development to
guide us now and in the future, to build a culture of cooperation and partnership, and to
respond to the immediate needs of those who are most affected by human distress. We are
determined to meet this challenge and promote social development throughout the world.
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