A/HRC/23/54
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
64.
To conclude the Social Forum, Martin Khor offered a summary of the
proceedings which was followed by the Chairperson-Rapporteur’s closing
recommendations. These recommendations are reflected in the sections that follow.
A.
Conclusions
65.
In the era of globalization, society must develop a new people-centred
development paradigm founded in principles of human rights, equality, solidarity and
sustainability. People-centred development should address the entirety of the human
condition and promote mental, physical and spiritual well-being in addition to
economic growth. The continued discussion and elaboration of concepts addressed by
this Social Forum, including sustainable development, integral and humanist
development, participatory development, buen vivir and financing for development,
offer guidance along this path. People-centred development requires both local
control over development priorities and a globally enabling environment for
development. Adequate participation of all persons at all levels of governance, and
access to information, education, credit, work and adequate support networks are
critical to the spread of ideas, the empowerment of persons and movements, and the
success of people-centred development.
66.
People-centred development requires recognition of the value of human dignity,
livelihoods and work as foundations for human well-being. Measures should be taken
to guarantee that all persons have access to the basic resources necessary for the
constant improvement of their well-being. Particular attention should be devoted to
potentially marginalized or underrepresented groups such as women, children,
minorities, indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and older persons. They
should be engaged in decision-making processes at all levels that impact their lives,
and concrete measures should be taken to prevent structural inequalities and
discrimination from impeding their development.
67.
The basic principle of solidarity, which applies equally to people and States,
establishes that by working together we can accomplish more than if we work apart.
The financial and economic crisis of 2008 has highlighted our interdependence and
threatened the enjoyment of our human rights. It has never been more important that
we draw upon our common humanity to pursue a shared vision of a future in which
the enjoyment of all human rights, including the right to development, is realized for
all persons without discrimination. Social movements to promote women’s rights,
intergenerational solidarity, fair trade, financial regulatory reform, social justice and
human rights embody solidarity in people-centred development and play a critical
role within our society that should be recognized and, where appropriate, honoured as
a valuable form of speech and participation. Millennium Development Goal 8, which
calls for a global partnership for development, also articulates the concept of
solidarity, but participants agreed it must be strengthened in order to promote, inter
alia, effective, locally controlled development assistance; information and technology
sharing; innovation; and good governance.
68.
Failure to meet development goals is unacceptable because such failures stem
from the inequitable distribution of resources rather than lack of resources, a
problem which is also linked to the inadequate representation of developing States,
civil society and marginalized groups in international financial institutions and similar
failings in governance at the national and local levels. Therefore, good governance and
the coherent mobilization of all sources of financing for development are critical.
18
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