WORKSHOP 1
Implementing the Copenhagen Commitments:
Equality and Social Justice

    The participants were divided into three groups. The groups had a chance to exchange experiences about progress made in implementing the Copenhagen Summit agreements in their countries and how to develop an enabling environment for social development.

     Through the exchange of information, some positive progress and developments were noted in the area of equality and social justice in some countries, particularly in the Middle East. The participants also noted the leading role of some non-government organisations in complementing their government’s efforts in the social, health and educational fields, as well as in enhancing the status of women.

    Examples of programmes concerning equality, social justice, poverty alleviation, and unemployment in various countries were given. Among these examples were national relief funds; small loan programmes; productive family programmes; income-generating programmes; health and humanitarian projects; special projects for older people, children and people with special needs; women’s projects, especially rural women.

    The participants discussed the main constraints which had deterred progress in implementation of the Copenhagen Commitments. The primary causes were identified as: limited financial resources; negative traditional practices; a shortage in the development of human resources and a lack of skills for participation in the market.

    The first workshop discussed the Copenhagen Commitments which focused on Equality and Social Justice. The ensuing discussions resulted in a number of recommendations to:

• Establish programmes at both the national and regional levels where human centred development is considered the objective.
  
• Establish a tripartite agreement between government, non-government organisations and the private sector to address the social impact of globalisation and privatisation.
  
• Draw up legislation or a mechanism to formalise this partnership, setting up criteria for its success and sustainability.
  
• Draw up clear national strategies, backed by legislation to deter discrimination and increase the access of marginalised groups to economic benefits.
  
• Establish and strengthen regional collaboration mechanisms such as the Arab League, drawing up strategies based on common goals, values and principles,
  
• Create a unified follow up mechanism for the implementation of the agreements of the Copenhagen Summit among Arab States in order to ensure ongoing co-ordination, especially in relation to funding.
  
• Provide incentives to encourage the involvement of the private sector in financing projects that alleviate poverty and unemployment.
  
• Encourage international donor agencies and multilateral agencies to support the policies and plans of developing countries in combating poverty and unemployment as a priority.
  
• Recognise the work and role of those institutions working for social integration, especially strengthening the family unit and protecting its moral, cultural and religious values.
  
• Utilise media resources to expose issues related to poverty and unemployment, addressing the role of voluntary and non-governmental organisations in dealing with such problems through effective projects.