The first issue of the Social Development Review focused on the "Eradication of Poverty" in its thematic supplement, in commemoration of the UN Year for the Eradication of Poverty in 1996.

In this issue, we have selected the theme of "Productive Employment". Accordingly, we have solicited contributions from academia, NGOs, labour unions, multilateral organizations and various national governments to reflect a diverse approach and array of initiatives in tackling this important issue.

The International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) represents a global network of tens of thousands of community organizations which are working at the front line in over 70 countries, to help people in disadvantage and in distress. Consequently, the need for productive employment and sustainable livelihoods is vital to the well being of the individuals, families and communities we seek to serve.

The UN Commission for Social Development has been given a mandate to concentrate its work programme to the year 2000 on "monitoring, reviewing and appraising the progress achieved and problems encountered in the implementation of the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action". At its next meeting, in February 1997, the Commission will focus on the area of productive employment and sustainable livelihoods.

ICSW has also been given a mandate by its membership to monitor, review and advocate for the implementation of the WSSD Programme of Action. Since the Social Development Summit. ICSW has convened regional and global meetings to assess WSSD follow-up to date and we are disseminating this information through the quarterly publication of the Review, via our Social Development Website on the Internet (http ://www.icsw.org), and in other ways.

During 1997 our work on follow-up to the Social Development Summit will concentrate on five areas. First, we will convene further regional and subregional forums of NGOs to pursue Summit issues. Forums for ICSW members and other NGOs are already being planned for Europe, Asia and Africa. We will also convene an NGO Forum in New York in conjunction with the 1997 meeting of the Commission for Social Development.

Second, we will seek to ensure that, as proposed in the Summit agreements, follow-up meetings are convened in each region at a high governmental level. The governments of the Philippines, Austria and Brazil have undertaken to convene these meetings for their regions but meetings are also needed in the other regions, especially for Africa.

Third, we will pursue further improvement in the effectiveness of the UN Commission for Social Development. Some progress was made at the Commission's 1996 meeting, including introduction of more frequent meetings and better procedures. But we will lobby hard at the next meeting, in February 1997, for the Commission to become much more vigorous and focussed on key priori ties.

Fourth, we will seek to strengthen the effectiveness of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In particular, we want to help national and local NGOs to bring pressure on their governments to comply with the Covenant, including prompt and accurate reporting to the UN Committee which is responsible for monitoring compliance.

Fifth, we will continue to publish the Social Development Review on a quarterly basis in order to disseminate information and ideas about Summit issues and activities.