AS WRITTEN

Permanent Mission of the Principality of Andorra to the United Nations

Statement made by: The Hon. Mr. Juli Minoves Triquell, Ag. Permanent 
Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the United Nations. World 
Summit for Social Development, Copenhagen, Denmark. March 9th. 1995


Unofficial English Translation


Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank the Danish Authorities, Ambassador Somavia of Chile, 
the Secretary General of the United Nations and his Secretariat, and all of 
my colleagues who are here representing their countries, for their 
admirable work in making this historic Conference possible, in the 
beautiful and peaceful city of Copenhagen. I thank you both a participant 
in this summit, and also in the name of Prime Minister Marc Forne Molne, 
and of Foreign Minister Manuael Mas Fibo, who will join the summit this 
weekend, as representatives of the people and the government of Andorra.

Mr. Chairman,

Productive employment and the reduction of unemployment have been suggested 
as topics of reflection for today’s debate. Tomorrow we will consider the 
question of social integration. Both themes will dominate my talk, because 
they are inextricably linked. And yet how are we to comprehend such vast 
topics? I humbly suggest that we might transform Decartes’ famous motto 
“Cogito Ergo Sum” -- “I think, therefore I am” -- into this motto: “I work, 
therefore I am.” I am part of my society, I am a social being whose work is 
personally gratifying and socially integrating. I am the shoemaker or the 
economist, but I am, because I have a productive job.

Mr. Chairman,

To create productive employment, and to give all workers - whether young or 
old - the possibility of material advancement and of being fully part of 
society because of their work: this is one of the crucial goals for which 
we must all work after Copenhagen. In developing countries, the potential 
work-force has increased by more than 400 million since 1960. It will 
increase 2.3% each year during this decade, and will necessitate the 
creation of approximately 260 million new jobs. Ladies and Gentlemen, this 
is a stupendous task, almost terrifying in its size. What will all of these 
people do if we do not achieve our goal? If in this summit we do not adopt 
a firm commitment towards achieving this goal - a necessary idealism! What 
will remain for them? Shat degree of social integration can be attained if 
they play no productive role in the world?

Allow me to draw your attention to this problem, and more particularly the 
problem of young people, in their late teens and twenties. United Nations 
statistics show that the number of young people without work is 
statistically higher than the national averages. During these past days, 
there has been mention of a kind of “fatigue” that seems to weigh down 
those of us who struggle for social development, a fatigue from which we 
are attempting to free ourselves as we consider ways of achieving full 
employment. I would nevertheless like to point our a different kind of 
fatigue, the fatigue of our youth, for whom the future should be full of 
hope, but who see nothing around them but the greyness of a present without 
jobs. In these circumstances, can we really be surprised by the statistics 
concerning criminal behaviour, drugs, and other social ills among our 
youth?

I do not believe so. Ladies and Gentlemen, the social integration of the 
young is achieved most directly through work. The politics of education and 
jobtraining are therefore key strategies in our struggle against 
marginalization. To give an example, can we not propose the introduction of 
flexible educational programs, which will be able to adapt to new 
technologies as soon as they appear? At the same time, our youth must be 
able to make use of these tools, after having learned how to use them. Let 
us give them the means to achieve this end: this is the goal that we take 
form this summit, and so combat our “fatigue,” by helping them vanquish 
their own.

Ladies and Gentle men,

Young people, in most causes - and this is almost a law of life itself - 
define themselves in opposition to their elders. The encounter of different 
generations may take two paths: Either that of conflict, producing only 
discord, or a constructive tension that is brought about through dialogue. 
The dialogue between generations facilities the social integration of 
youth.

I believe that we must build bridges to the young people of the world, who 
are frequently victims of unemployment, so that even in these difficult 
times, when they feel themselves to be on the margins of society, they can 
grasp onto strong links with society as a whole. The Principality of 
Andorra, whose demographics indicate an important proportion of young 
people, is greatly concerned with the social integration of youth. My 
country contributed to the text of the declaration of the World Summit by 
introducing the commitment 4,I, on the dialogue between generations. I will 
read it:

“We, Heads of State and Heads of Government of the World.. Will acknowledge 
and encourage the contribution of people of all age groups and as equally 
and vitally important for the building of a harmonious society, and we will 
foster dialogue between generations in all part of society.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Delegates,

The social integration of youth today, will produce tomorrow a society of 
greater solidarity with more opportunities for all. We will accomplish this 
goal if, instead of speaking of “fatigue” we speak of will and courage. We 
will Accomplish this, and the other goals of the summit, if we have faith 
in the rightness of our project, and work to achieve it.