Regional Analysis

     Participants in the plenary sessions and the group thematic discussions developed an analysis of the progress in implementation of the Copenhagen commitments in Latin America since the Summit was held in 1995.

     Statistics on the recent evolution of social development in the region were presented. These statistics indicate the following:

• Between 1990 and 1997, according to the UNDP Poverty Report 1998, the number of households in poverty dropped from 41% to 36%. However in absolute numbers of people in poverty, as opposed to households, the percentage rose due to the growth in numbers of persons per household.
  
  
• The evolution of poverty levels is not homogeneous throughout the region, with Mexico and Venezuela experiencing a growth in number of households in poverty.
  
  
• The Latin American labour market has grown, particularly due to the increased participation of women in the labour force.
  
  
• Levels of unemployment have however risen recently, particularly among youth and women.
  
  
• Inadequate economic growth and the lack of creation of highly productive employment, in most countries of the region, are making the entrance into the labour force of an increasingly educated youth more difficult.

     Beyond the statistics, participants discussed their different perspectives, based on their experience as civil society organizations working with and for the most vulnerable citizens of the region. Their collective analysis was that the region is currently experiencing a severe process of disintegration. The predominantly neoliberal economic policies being implemented by international financial institutions and national governments in the region are resulting in increased levels of poverty, unequal income distribution and social exclusion for the majority of citizens. The causes of poverty are structural and its eradication is the shared responsibility of national governments, international organizations, the private sector including multilateral corporations, and civil society organizations.

     There is, however, a tendency in the region for governments to ignore the structural causes of poverty and to develop primarily short-term poverty alleviation programmes. Long-term integral human development programmes are required which promote equitable wealth and income distribution, the valuing of cultural diversity, sustainable development, and civil society capacity-building.

     An alternative political and social development strategy that is gaining popularity and recognition for its effectiveness in achieving more participatory and equitable development in Latin America is the promotion of local-based power and decision-making. The proposal is to focus on developing the power, influence and capacity of civil society at the local level, through decentralization, social audit and citizen participation policies and programmes. This proposal was widely discussed and promoted by participants in the Forum and emerged as a primary recommendation for improving social development in the region.

     Finally, participants from the region raised the need for increased transparency of information concerning government follow-up to the Copenhagen commitments and the development of more effective mechansisms for civil society participation in Copenhagen follow-up and monitoring.