|
INTRODUCTION
Social development remains a key priority on the ESCAP
agenda as poverty and social inequalities prevail and continue
to affect far too many people in the region. Hunger and
malnutrition, ill-health, lack of access to safe drinking
water, low access to education and other public services
and resources, social exclusion, lack of participation and
violence are some of the many issues that characterize the
state of social development in many parts of the region
today. Social development is the process aimed at alleviating
poverty and improving the quality of life in major sectors
such as health, education, employment, housing and personal
safety. It also aims at enhancing social equity, social
inclusion and social protection, and opportunities
for access to and full participation in the development
process.
The term “sustainable social development”,
as it is used in this study, denotes interlinking or integrating
the social and economic systems to ensure that these goals
of social development are self-sustaining. What this implies
is, first, that at the level of desirable results, both
social and economic policies have as their ultimate goals
enhancing the security, well-being and freedom of individuals.
Second, at the level of process, institutions and agencies
dealing with the social and economic sectors must reflect
such coordination and integration. This means that, in macroeconomic
and social policy formulation and decision-making,
the process must be inclusive, with institutionalized consultations
that involve government ministries and parliaments as well
as other development partners and, most important, organizations
of the poor and vulnerable groups at all levels in society.
The term “globalization” also requires some
clarification. The term means different things to different
people. To some, globalization is an inevitable, technologically-driven
process that is increasing economic and political relations
among people of different countries. For them, it is
not only a natural phenomenon, but primarily good for the
world. To others, there is a much deeper concern about the
potential risks and vulnerabilities attendant to the globalization
process. These contrasting views are related to differing
conceptualizations of globalization. To some, globalization
is seen as the growth and spread of global corporations.
Others emphasize the cultural and social integration generated
by new information and communications technologies. The
term is also associated with the increasing interdependence
among countries impacted by the growing cross-border flows
of finance, goods, information, technology, labour and other
forces.
In this study, the term globalization is used to refer
to the growing integration of economies and societies around
the world. It is a broad and complex process that includes
the previously mentioned cross-border flows. Globalization
is affecting different regions, countries and populations
in varying ways. Some, but not all, of the anxieties about
globalization are well founded.
The objective of this study is not to examine all aspects
of globalization. Rather, it looks at those aspects of social
development that are thought to have some linkages with
the process of globalization. Social development goals are
addressed in the context of a rapidly changing global environment
in which new forms of social and economic forces have increased
the challenges in managing social change and transformation
in sustainable ways. This is the focus of the study.
The problems addressed in this study are the interconnected
issues and trends which are likely to shape the pace and
nature of social development in the region. Many social
groups have become exposed to greater vulnerability and
deprivation. At the same time, possibilities for promoting
social development are also increasing as countries are
exposed to greater flows of knowledge, ideas and expertise
offered by the globalization process. A strong civil society
and strengthened democratization process can also become
effective tools in fostering social development. In short,
global integration can be a powerful force for social development,
but it could be even more effective.
The structure of this study reflects, first, the core goals
of social development as identified by the World Summit
for Social Development and, second, the global opportunities
as well as the social risks and challenges to the realization
of these goals. Poverty alleviation, employment expansion
and social integration are the three core goals identified
by the World Summit. These issues are dealt with in chapters
II, III and IV respectively. Chapter I serves as an overview.
Chapter V looks at social protection systems, the coverage
of social risks and a form of productive investment, all
of which are integral to achieving the overall goals of
development. Chapter VI, on information and communications
technology and the rural poor, looks at the new forms of
information and communications technologies and how they
can be harnessed to further social development, especially
in the rural sector. Finally, chapter VII extracts the main
policy implications flowing from the previous chapters.
Gender is an important cross-cutting issue in development.
The concerns of gender in sustainable social development,
the impact of globalization on the roles and status of women
and other gender-specific issues are treated in each chapter.
|
