22 March 1995

Doc. 7268

MOTION FOR A RECOMMENDATION on follow-up to the World Summit for Social Development

presented by Mrs ROBERT, Switzerland, LDR and others

1.       For the first time, a world summit was devoted to social development in Copenhagen from 6 to 12 March 1995 and ended with the adoption of a declaration and a programme of action by the heads of state and government.

2.       As the world's wealth increases, poverty, unemployment and social disintegration afflict more and more citizens in the Council of Europe member states while the majority of developing countries are becoming ever more impoverished.

3.       With a few exceptions, the rich countries are reducing their development assistance to the world's poorest countries, additionally burdened by debt.

4.       One billion three hundred million people throughout the world live in a state of absolute poverty and one billion five hundred million are denied access to the most basic health care, 30% of the active population suffers from unemployment, either disguised or undisguised. Among those worst affected by poverty, 70% are women.

5.       Peace and economic and social development are intimately linked, and without development peace is threatened.

6.       The Parliamentary Assembly, which was represented at the World Summit for Social Development, feels that it is the duty of the Council of Europe and its member states to put into effect the undertakings made by the world's heads of state and government as a whole.

7.       The Assembly recalls that it is the aim of the Council of Europe to facilitate economic and social progress.

8.       It recommends that the Committee of Ministers call upon member states to implement with all speed the programme of action adopted by the Copenhagen Summit.

Signed:

Robert, Switzerland, LDR

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Seiler, Switzerland, LDR

Columberg, Switzerland, EPP

Golu, Romania, SOC

Iuliano, Romania, LDR

Severinsen, Denmark, LDR

Büchel, Liechtenstein, EPP

Gusenbauer, Austria, SOC

Err, Luxembourg, SOC

Pini, Switzerland, LDR

Berger, Switzerland, LDR

Bloetzer, Switzerland, EPP

Caccia, Switzerland, EPP

Antretter, Germany, SOC

Gotzev, Bulgaria, EPP

Aguiar, Portugal, LDR

Fischer, Germany, EPP

Mimaroglu, Turkey, EPP

J. Thompson, United Kingdom, SOC

Fuhrmann, Austria, SOC

Iwinski, Poland, SOC

Hardy, United Kingdom, SOC

Banks, United Kingdom, SOC

Schieder, Austria, SOC

Guirado, Spain, SOC

*       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left