Unprecedented gathering adopts Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action.

• Position: World Summit for Social Development - Includes excerpts from Copenhagen Declaration and list of commitments

A global blueprint for action, with specific

commitments for the creation of more just and humane societies, was adopted by the World Summit for Social Development in the early hours of 13 March, as participants concluded seven days of meetings in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Summit, which began on 6 March, culminated in one of the largest gatherings of world leaders ever held--a total of 117--and was the first meeting of its kind at the highest governmental level to squarely confront the major social challenges and underlying causes of poverty unemployment and social exclusion--the core issues of the conference.

The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted in the closing moments of the Summit, recommend measures to be taken at the UN, national and international levels. aimed at eliminating inequalities within and among countries and at fostering social development.

"The international community is today taking a clear stand against social injustice, exclusion and poverty in the world", said Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali on 6 March, at the opening of the Summit. "A new social contract, at the global level, is required to bring hope to States and to nations, and to men and women around the world."

Inaugurating two days of high-level meetings of Heads of State and Government, Mr. Boutros-Ghali declared on 11 March: "Now is the time to act because the potential for cooperation has never been greater." The spirit of the Summits agenda must reflect a sense of solidarity, he said, which "cannot permit these who are privileged to ignore those who are poor, vulnerable or marginalized".

A total of 187 States participated, along with some 2,000 nongovernmental organizations. The event was covered by more than 2,500 media representatives from around the world.

Breakthrough language

The Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action contain what has been described as breakthrough language related to, among other things. the need for structural adjustment programmes to be socially responsible. Also. for the first time, a major UN conference adopted "commitments". as opposed to "principles" or "objectives".

The final document is the first intergovernmentally negotiated text which urges mobilization of new and additional financial resources for official development assistance (ODA).

Furthermore, the Summit is the first UN conference to agree on ways to mobilize resources through the "20/20 Initiative". which is based on the idea of...