Speech by

the Head of Delegation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS

 

26 June 2000, Geneva.



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The Social Summit in Copenhagen was more than a meeting of hope. It was also an expression of our will to act. A decisive step to tackle the chronic, world-wide problems of poverty, unemployment and social disintegration.

The Special Sessions of the General Assembly are meetings of accountability. And an important opportunity for taking new initiatives. We succeeded in making a step forward for the women of the world in the Beijing-process. We now have to do the same for social development.

 We ask ourselves: what did we achieve? And what are the tasks for the near future?

 What did we achieve? For the Netherlands, the Social Summit was an acknowledgement of the fact that prosperity and poverty exist side by side - in a wealthy country like ours too. It was the end of the complacency and the start of a comprehensive programme for work and income.

 The report of the Secretary General clearly shows that progress has been made since Copenhagen: World-wide, there is more attention for fighting poverty. World-wide, there is more attention for developing social policy. The consciousness is growing that economic progress should not be made at the expense of people. Social development and economic performance are intrinsically linked and mutually reinforcing. The awareness is growing that decent work is the essential link to a decent existence.

 Our insights have deepened, our way of thinking has changed, measures have been taken.

 But we are only at the beginning.

 Five years is a short span of time for governments and organizations to fully implement Copenhagen.
 Five years is a long span of time - too long a span - for the people we have to reach. We will have to boost our performance in order to ameliorate the daily lives of people. And time is not on our side.

 Because since Copenhagen: There are more poor people. There is an increasing number of the so-called `working poor'. Poverty in urban areas is an increasing problem. The ageing of societies has continued rapidly. The disparities between countries and within countries are growing. Employment opportunities in developing countries have grown, but most of all in the informal, low-paid and unprotected sectors.

 This special session, Geneva 2000, can make a difference.

So, what are the tasks for the future?

 I shall point out four areas that require better performance.

 1. Work, health and education.
What we urgently need are strategies towards full employment. We need more and better jobs to enable the millions of unemployed people to work and to escape from poverty.We have to work on strategies that allow economic and social policy to be mutually reinforcing. We have to start developing policies to achieve pro-poor economic growth. The awareness that social policy can be a productive factor makes a world of difference. Expenditures for social policy are not just costs that will have to be minimized. Social policy is of vital importance for economic performance, the sustainability of social safety nets and the participation of people. The Netherlands is now restructuring its social security system to make sure that it is a springboard, not a trap.

 For a sustainable future, we must ensure 'decent work' for all. Together with its EU partners, the Netherlands stresses the importance of the ILO Declaration on fundamental labour standards. We call for the universal ratification and full implementation of the ILO core conventions, including the convention on the elimination of the worst forms of child labour.

 In a world economy in which globalization and liberalization are leading principles, the fundamental labour standards form a necessary counterbalance. In this conference, we must ensure that the international rules of the game are fare and just.

 Health, education, work and a better life are inextricably connected with one another. Therefore we have to realize access for all to basic social services such as health services and education. Knowledge is a key to economic and social progress.

 Our goal must be that we do not rest until all children are given the chance to go to school so that we do not have to worry about child labour.

 2. Social responsibility of the private sector.
In order to make our commitments operational, we need the help of the private sector. This is an appeal to the private sector to join in. To consider the well being of people as part of their core business, as do the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the ILO.

 Act global, work local, with dignity and care. That too is a benchmark for success. In a world in which the mutual economic dependency is growing, it is a moral as well as a rational choice.

 3. Good governance.
Good governance is prerequisite for social development. The rule of law, effective State institutions, transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs, respect for human rights, and the participation of all citizens in the decisions that affect their lives are essential elements. The report of the Secretary General for the Millennium Summit is very clear on this issue. We should follow his example and clearly state our commitment to good governance. Good governance is the only way to win and preserve the trust of citizens. It is not an easy way to go, but it is the only way. This applies both to the relations within a country and to relations between countries. Good governance concerns all levels of public administration but it also includes good corporate governance.

 The Netherlands deeply regrets the fact that Official Development Assistance is still far below the international agreed targets. -This is incompatible with the comprehensive and complex international development agenda. We call upon all governments to stand by the agreement for `Official Development Assistance'.

4. Fourth and last point: the necessity for co-operation and the preparedness to listen.

Five years after the Copenhagen Summit we are more than ever convinced that co-operation is absolutely necessary; Nationally and internationally.

Not only because two know more than one, but because two can also do more than one. The Netherlands strongly believes in donor co-ordination and ownership. Debt alleviation is a key in the development agenda of Highly Indebted Poor Countries. This should be based on poverty reduction strategies developed by the countries themselves. It is a striking proof of the need for co-operation between all relevant actors, including the private sector and NGO's. We strongly support the work of the World Bank and IMF in promoting the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.

 We now have to act in order to turn this acknowledgement and willingness into practical results that improve the lives of hundreds of millions of poor people. The fight against poverty, decent work for all and social integration is the common aim of all actors gathered here in Geneva. Governments, parliaments, social organizations, churches, the private sector, municipalities and last but not least: the people themselves have to work together to achieve this goal. Only open communication and cooperation can ensure that all people reap the benefits of, economic growth and globalization.

 As a final remark, let me quote the representative of our youth delegation who said: "The decisions you are taking are about our futures. We want to join in and contribute our share".

 She is right. We have a major responsibility towards future generations.