The
following government remarks, selected from the statements given
by many different governments, were presented at the Fortieth
Session for the Commission for Social Development on the integration
of social and economic policy. This topic has more recently attracted
intense discussion and debate at the international level, and
has been an underlying theme throughout the UN Financing for Development
process.
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United
States
Edited from the statement
delivered by Mr. John Davison
Deputy United States Representative on the United Nations
Economic and Social Council |
Madam
Chairperson, distinguished colleagues:
Although the United States does not agree with all of the recommendations
proposed by the Secretary-General in his report on our priority
theme, we very much appreciate the work done by the Secretariat,
including on the 3 component topics: ‘Social aspects of macroeconomic
policies,’ ‘Expenditures in the social sector as a productive
factor’ and ‘Social assessment as a policy tool’.
The United States has long subscribed to the socio-economic concepts
underlying this thematic agenda, mainly, that economic decisions
at both the macro- and micro- level typically have social implications
and human consequences. Therefore, economic and social policies
in both the public and private sectors should ideally be coordinated
and integrated.
The United States supports free trade, free competition, privatisation
of state enterprises and liberalised foreign investment. We do
not support the implication in the third recommendation of the
Secretary-General’s report that there is a necessary choice
between economic reform and social development. Rather, the United
States believes it is precisely through economic reform that the
social objectives of job creation and reduction of poverty, inequality
and social exclusion can be best achieved.
The United States strongly supports the Secretary-General’s
priorities of education, health and nutrition. In fact, the need
for policy integration within the social sector is as critical
as the need for social and economic policies, as demonstrated
in our longstanding children’s programs such as Head Start
and the school lunch program which integrate health, education
and nutrition service provision.
The United States’ support for the term ‘social assessment’
is conditional, pending further clarification of its precise meaning.
If ‘social assessment’ refers to a process of deliberately
ascertaining the views of consumers of services, and thereby disseminating
a culture of democracy and insuring transparent and accountable
government, we support it wholeheartedly.
We are hopeful that the type of ‘social assessment’
referred to in the Secretary-General’s report will not serve
as an excuse for the creation and expansion of a social science
research empire which will hold conferences and seminars and produce
studies and reports, all proving the existence of problems already
familiar to us or repeating recommendations which have never been
implemented. If this is ‘social assessment’, we cannot
support it and, instead, call upon the Commission for Social Development
to focus on practical solutions, such as hiring and deploying
more doctors and teachers, and purchasing and distributing more
medicines and textbooks.
Madam Chairperson, distinguished colleagues:
In the midst of the international community’s debate about
the opportunities and challenges of globalisation and about the
relative merits of economic growth or social development as the
primary engine of progress for the world’s poor, the United
States has appreciated this opportunity to discuss, however theoretically,
the possible benefits of integrating social and economic policy.
Now what lies ahead is the infinitely more difficult process of
step- by-step implementation of an integrated social and economic
policy. That will require peace, political will, good governance,
trust between the developed and developing worlds, and, of course,
financing.
It is our fervent hope that, in the coming year, the international
conference on Financing for Development, the World Food Summit
and the World Summit on Sustainable Development will together
further our ultimate goal of poverty eradication, continuing economic
growth and prosperity, and sustainable development.
Thank you, Madam Chairperson.
For
the full text of this statement, go to: www.un.int/usa/02_018.htm
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Venezuela
Edited from the statement
delivered by Ambassador Adriana Pulido,
Alternate Permanent Representative of Venezuela to the United
Nations, on behalf of the Group of 77 and China |
Madam
Chairperson,
In 1995, in the framework of the World Summit for Social Development,
our Governments affirmed, “The ultimate goal of social development
is to improve and enhance the quality of life of all people”.1
This should be the guiding principle of our actions when designing
economic and social policies.
For the G-77 and China, the goal of improving the quality of life
of all people implicitly requires the coordination and integration
of actions in social and economic realms. But as the Secretary
General has rightly pointed out in his report, in practice, there
is a gap between the two realms. This gap is visible mostly among
developing countries, particularly those that have gone through
the process of implementing stabilisation or structural packages.
Unfortunately, the report does not delve sufficiently enough into
the underlying causes of this ‘divorce’.
Madam Chairperson,
In keeping with the objectives of the World Summit for Social
Development, the Group of 77 and China attach great importance
to the integration of social and economic policies. Social development
will not be simply realised through the free interaction of market
forces. It is necessary to put in place policies aimed at correcting
market failures, complementing market mechanisms, maintaining
social stability and creating a national and international economic
environment that promotes sustainable growth on a global scale,
leading to sustainable development.
Sadly, we have witnessed how the implementation of strict macroeconomic
measures in many developing countries has resulted in growing
inequalities within societies, erosion of health and educational
systems, and increasing levels of poverty. It is well known that,
in many instances, these macroeconomic policies have even reversed
years of gains in the social sector and have reduced the living
standards of many segments of the population.
Often social measures have had to be put in place to reduce these
impacts, attending to the immediate undesired effects derived
from the implementation of certain macroeconomic measures.
Madam Chairperson,
While the G-77 and China acknowledge the responsibility of national
Governments in the formulation of integrated economic and social
policies, we believe that a supportive international environment
should promote the efforts of developing countries in these endeavours.
Economic policies should incorporate broad social development
objectives, which would contribute not only towards the realisation
of social goals, but also in the success of macroeconomic policies
themselves.
There are encouraging signs that the international financial institutions
are trying to work towards the goal of integrating economic and
social policies when designing structural adjustment programmes.
In this context, the Group of 77 and China finds that mechanisms
such as the Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative
(SAPRI), under the auspices of the World Bank, are an interesting
idea from which lessons can be drawn. However, participation of
Governments in this type of mechanism should be ensured and encouraged,
bearing in mind their fundamental role in implementing macroeconomic
and social policies.
We also await with interest the methodology for ex ante social
and environmental impact analysis of structural adjustment programmes
being prepared by the World Bank and the International Monetary
Fund.
Madam Chairperson,
To conclude, let me reiterate to you the readiness of the Group
of 77 and China to work closely and cooperatively with you and
the Bureau, as well as with our negotiating partners, in order
to produce a successful outcome in our deliberations of this year.
Thank you, Madam Chairpersons
For
the full text of this statement, go to: www.g77.org/Speeches/021202.htm
1
United Nations Programme Of Action of the World Summit for Social
Development, Chapter 1, paragraph 7.
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