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Minister Counselor Seth Winnick Deputy U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council Statement to the 37th Session of the Commission for Social Development on Social Services for All February 11, 1999 |
USUN PRESS RELEASE #7 (99)
February 11, 1999
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Statement by Deputy United States Representative on the United Nations
Economic and Social Council Seth Winnick, to the 37th Session of the Commission for Social
Development, on Agenda Item 3(a)i , Social Services for All, February 11, 1999
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The United States welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on Social Services for all (E/CN.5/l999/2), as well as the reports of the workshops that were held in New York (E/CN.5/1999/7) and Bangkok (E/CN.5/1999/6).
These reports present in a comprehensive way the factors that must be considered if we are to fulfill the commitment made at Copenhagen to reach the goal of universal coverage and access by all to basic social services.
Since we met in Copenhagen, this Commission has reviewed the priority themes of eradication of poverty, productive employment, and social integration. Our priority theme this year draws that work together in an effort to help Member States implement the Summit's recommendations in a comprehensive way.
Mr. Chairman, the Secretary-General's report, and the two experts workshops on which it is based, provide an excellent overview of the modest progress that has been made since Copenhagen and the challenges we still face.
The task before us now is to move beyond theoretical discussion to a consideration of practical measures we, as Member States, at the national and local levels, can take to fulfill the promise of Copenhagen for all of our citizens.
As we approach the new millenium, how do we make sure that our policies offer opportunity to every citizen, especially women, children, young people, minorities, working families, the disabled, older persons, and new immigrants.
As we enter the new millennium we must strengthen the base of the pyramid - the millions of our citizens striving to raise families and pass a better world on to their children. Education, skills, technology and self-confidence will assure their wellbeing and prosperity.
In his State of the Union address last month, and in the budget he presented last week, President Clinton described a number of initiatives that address the goal of providing basic social services for all in the United States, particularly to the most vulnerable.
Changes in work and culture during the 20th century have created new challenges that must be addressed to strengthen families. Too many Americans are spending more time at work just to make ends meet and less time at home.
The President's child-care initiative would provide subsidies to help families pay for child-care, including tax relief for working families and increases in funding for after-school programs.
With the number of senior citizens doubling by the year 2030, providing proper care for aging citizens will be one of the central challenges of the next century. A long-term care initiative, providing tax credits for people with long-term care needs or their family caregiver, is designed to help two million Americans, most of them older and severely disabled.
And, President Clinton called for strengthening Social Security and working out a long-term financing solution for Medicare - two programs that changed what it means to grow old in America.
Mr. Chairman, the United States enjoys a robust economy that has created millions of new jobs resulting in an historically low unemployment rate. But the unemployment rate among working-age adults with disabilities is nearly 75%. A Work Incentive Program would provide benefits, planning assistance, facilitate access to information about work incentives, and better integrate social services for people with disabilities working or returning to work.
Another tool we've put in the hands of our citizens to help them write their own destiny is knowledge about prevention. The vast majority of premature deaths are due to the way we live our lives. In particular, smoking, poor diet and lack of physical activity. The way to a longer and healthier life is to prevent disease before it strikes.
The United States is also embarked on a bold effort to eliminate racial disparities, a subject we will raise further in the preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Racism.
These initiatives are examples of the guiding principle of my government - to use the levers of government to build opportunity, empower communities, strengthen families, encourage prevention, and promote racial justice and harmony.
Not from the top down. Not from the perspective of government as national nanny. But from the base of the pyramid - up.
They are efforts to expand the range and coverage of services, to improve quality, and to ensure that services respond to real needs.
Mr. Chairman, much has been said, by both panelists and delegates, at this Commission about coping with financial restraints as we strive to provide social services for all.
While stressing that governments in partnership with civil society bear the primary responsibility for their countries' social development, we must also recognize the role of the international community. Globalization has brought opportunities as well as challenges to the world. As countries become more interdependent, our political, economic and social concerns have also become intertwined.
Today, even as we face economic crises in many parts of the world, we need to ensure that our international institutions become as modern as our markets - transparent and accountable to their members and that they incorporate our common social development objectives as well as all human rights in their programs. We expect them to promote policies that enhance people's lives, such as increasing the earning power of the poor, and protecting the most vulnerable from the negative impact of essential adjustments with well-targeted safety nets. To quote Vice President Gore in his most recent speech at Davos, "There is no greater challenge for our global community than to break the vicious yoke of poverty and ignorance."
And, we need the private sector to become an increasingly active partner in poverty eradication, both by providing jobs and paying taxes, but also in raising core labor standards and in looking at social investment as key to sustainable long-term economic returns.
Mr. Chairman, in cases where the overhang of foreign debt is unsustainable and an impediment to recovery, sustainable development and poverty alleviation, my country has been and continues to be prepared to do our part.
In his new budget, President Clinton has proposed significant new U.S. funding for debt relief for poor highly- indebted nations.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Secretariat for organizing the workshops and preparing the reports that will help all of us improve the welfare of individuals, families and groups and promote the quality of life and prosperity of societies.
Thank you.
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