World social situation: in transition.

• Position: Report from the United Nations Commission for Social Development

The decade of the 1980s saw the social situation in many countries vary from those exhibiting "solid improvements" to some demonstrating "unprecedented reversals", to others that underwent "radical changes" in their economic and social institutions. These were among the conclusions of an interim UN report (A/46/56-E/1991/6) on the world social situation, discussed by the Commission for Social Development at its February meeting.

The 33-page document provides an overview of institutional changes and the size and role of government; growing concern with social services and welfare issues; environmental issues; drug abuse; and the "peace dividend", expected to result from the easing of tensions between the USSR and the United States.

Reduced ideological conflict, the growth of scientific knowledge of the relationship between the economy and the environment, and a "deeper commitment" by Governments to seek solutions to common problems were seen as catalysts for international cooperation in the 1990s.

The report states that the most prominent and radical transformations were in those countries with formerly centrally-planned economies, now in transition to market economies. Changes there have affected major political institutions, property rights, the organization of economic activity and social security, and welfare benefits.

Eradication of poverty and improvement in living conditions emerged as key priorities of both Governments and intergovernmental organizations in the late 1980s. Poverty affected nearly half of the Asian population, and living conditions in Africa and Latin America either stagnated or dropped during the decade, it was stated.

Environment, drugs and

the 'peace dividend'

The current report cites a better understanding of...