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)