Program

At the end of 2005 the world's unemployment rate stood at 6.3 per cent, nearly 192 million people. A decade ago, 1995, the year when the World Summit for Social Development was held in Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Plan of Action was adopted, this number counted 157.6 million. Around fifty per cent of the global labor force earns $2 a day or less in per capita terms, for themselves and their families - the same number as ten years ago. Recognizing the crucial role of employment for poverty reduction, gender equality, women empowerment and social integration, World Leaders at the World Summit in 2005 resolved "to make the goals of full and productive employment and decent work for all" a central objective of their relevant national and international policies. In the context of this commitment this session will discuss the key aspects of the structural challenges of employment creation at local level to work out of poverty.

Education is a fundamental human right. It provides children, youth and adults with power to reflect, make choices and enjoy a better life. It breaks the cycle of poverty and is a key ingredient in economic and social development. Mother's education has a strong impact on family welfare, health and fertility. At the dawn of the new century, 875 million of the World's citizens are illiterate. One out of every five children aged 6-11 in developing countries - 113 million children - is not in school and 60% of them are girls. The MDG 2 requests "To ensure that by the year 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling and that girls and boys will have equal access to all levels of education."

The first steps towards Education for All was given in 1990 at the World Conference on Education for All in Jomtien, Thailand, and placed basic education high on the development agenda.

In April 2000, at the World Education Forum in Dakar, Senegal, the Dakar Framework for Action called to expand early childhood care and education, free and compulsory education of good quality, promote the acquisition of life-skills by adolescents and youth, expand adult literacy, eliminate gender disparity, achieve gender equality in education and enhance educational quality. Many countries went through the experience of decentralizing primary education. This session will discuss the impact of education on the improvement of family life and the aspects of the decentralization that made a difference.

Globalization is one of the most decisive issues of our times. It is complex and far-reaching, affecting people in different ways. Some view globalization as a positive force that spreads wealth; others blame it for the world's numerous problems. What is absent of much of this discussion, however, is the globalization's impact on ordinary people throughout the world.

In 2002 the International Labor Organization launched an independent commission called "World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization". The Commission's aim was to stand above the ideological conflict and look at Globalization from the point of view of ordinary women and men. The work of this Commission has been outstanding, specially when analyzing and recommending the changes in attitude and policies to create a strong social dimension for globalization and its impact in partnerships for development.

This session will present the philosophy and proposals of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization - A Fair Globalization - Creating Opportunities for All for discussion, as well as its recommendation Mobilizing Action for a Change.

In the Beijing Declaration adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, participants expressed their conviction that women empowerment and their full participation on the basis of equality in all spheres of societies, including in the decision-making process and access to power, are fundamental for the achievement of equality, development and peace.

In 2005 on the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and its Platform for Action, the General Assembly of the United Nations welcomed the progress made in the last ten years but stressed that challenges and obstacles remained and pledged to undertake further action to ensure the full and accelerated implementation.

The Millennium Project Task Force on Education and Gender Equality highlighted three critical dimensions of empowerment that affected women's enhanced participation in development: equal capabilities, equal opportunities and resources and strong advocacy. This session will discuss the nature and extent of women's participation in development, the conditions under which such participation take place, the structural constraints such as unequal gender relations in the family and society and the importance of setting strategies for enhancing the enabling environment for gender equality.

The best way to reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (MDGs IV, V and VI) is to effectively implement Local Primary Health Care Systems everywhere.

During the last 25 years Primary Health Care has evolved and developed. Governments in most countries have accepted and adapted the philosophy and principles of Primary Health Care as the basis of their strategy for reforming and developing their Local Health Services System, where the community-based low-tech health care and strong referral network of which outreach into communities is an integral part.

This session will discuss strategies to build an integrated Local Health System that provides access to emergency obstetric care, addresses neonatal mortality, child mortality and prevention of HIV/AIDS and other infectious disease, also focusing on human resources development, financing for health and the equitable participation of communities, civil society organizations and individuals in the operation of Local Health Systems.

Presentation of World Family Summit +2 Conclusions.

World Family Summit +2 Recommendations.

Awarding Ceremony.

Presentation of the World Family Summit +3.