Regional experts meet to review social problems
Regional experts meet to review social problems
JAKARTA (JP): Experts from the Asia-Pacific will gather in
Bandung beginning today to review the social problems encountered
by countries in the region and discuss ways of overcoming them.
The three-day meeting also offers an opportunity for Asia-
Pacific countries to harmonize their perceptions ahead of the
World Summit for Social Development, which is being planned by
the United Nations in Copenhagen in March next year.
The Office of the Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare,
the host committee, said the meeting in Bandung is jointly
organized by the Indonesian and Australian governments.
"The regional seminar is intended to be a forum to exchange
thoughts and experiences about the efforts in Asia-Pacific
countries in overcoming their social problems," the office said
in a statement.
The seminar will focus on three main topics, according to the
statement. They are the eradication of poverty, expansion of
employment opportunities and social integration.
The topics will be discussed from the government's point of
view, the non-government organization's point of view, and the
academicians' perspective.
Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar Anas will
deliver the keynote address. Former environmental minister Emil
Salim, who is also an economic professor, and State Minister of
Population Haryono Suyono will also address the gathering.
More than 75 experts from 15 Asia-Pacific countries are
expected to take part and to give their thoughts on the subject.
They include Amitabh Kundu, Gary Richard Hawke, Fleudelys
Torress, Soekirman, Hassan Wiyayudha, Melly G. Tan, Andrew
Podger, Nguyen Van Thiew and Abdullah Malin Badinda.
The countries taking part are Australia, China, Fiji, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the
Philippines, New Zealand, Thailand, Vanuatu and Vietnam.
Social development
According to the organizers, the United Nations has been
increasingly concerned with social development, as many members
now come to realize that peace and prosperity are inter-linked.
It was this reason that also prompted the world body to
organize the summit in the Danish capital next year. It is not
immediately clear whether President Soeharto plans to attend.
The UN General Assembly issued a resolution in 1992, calling
for the drafting of a concept, strategy and international
cooperation to build a world order no longer dependent upon the
existence of a balanced military power. This is to be similar to
the organization during the Cold War, the statement said, but
more based on partnership and development cooperation. (emb)