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Human development

Seminar chalks out

12-point agenda for

new human order

IKRAMUL HAQ

ISLAMABAD: The two-day international seminar on 'Human Development' at Bhurban has chalked out a 12-point agenda for a new human order in the 21st century, which asks for setting up a UN Economic Secruity Council, framing of a 25-year perspective plan for global socio-economic advance, and calls fro fulfilling the 20:20 compact of economic assistance by the donors as pledged at Copenhagen summit.

High on the agenda for global strategy for human development is care and development of children, education, health and other amenities of life, gender equality, induction of informatics revolution, and cut in military spendings including complete nuclear disarmament globally and de-militarisation of the developing world.

The 12-point agenda is part of the Bhurban statement approved by over 40 experts economists and thinkers belonging to the sponsors i.e. Human Development Centre and the State of the World Forum San Francisco, initiated by former Soviet President Michail Gorbachev co-sponsored by German Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

Addressing a press conference on the conclusion of the seminar, Jim Garrison Chairman of State World Forum and Co-Chairman of Bhurban Seminar and Dr. Mahbubul Haq, former Finance Minister and Chairman of the Human Development Centre Islamabad, presented the statement and its high-lights.

Jim Garrison said that the forum was initiated by Soviet president who at the end of cold war realised that special action would be needed to enter the 21st century with complete nuclear disarmament and a code of ethics for sale of conventional weapons.

He added that the Bhurban statement which would be further refined will be taken up by the forum.

Dr. Mahbubul Haq said that a few points were yet to be added to the statement. There has been a call for a new code of conduct for arms export. The suggestion is that Nobel Laureates for peace should work out the framework.

Another addition will be about elimination of corruption. During discussion, the issues of transparency and accountability also came up. The participants agreed that parking of huge funds by corrupt public servants and government leaders should not enjoy the secrecy provision of bank accounts.

Questioned about the implementation of the Bhurban statement, Dr. Haq was of the view that the State of the World Forum was in a unique position since its co-chairman included Prime Ministers and Presidents.

Asked about the discussion of 20:20 compact which was not being fulfilled by the donors, Dr. Haq said that the contributions by World Bank was around 20 percent with a promise of doing more; the Asian Development Bank is contributing more than 50 percent of its assistance on social sectors; Inter-American Bank is also following the compact. But, he conceded that the contributions by Germany, UK, Japan and US were poor.

Asked to elaborate the concept of Economic Security Council, Dr. Haq said that it is proposed to have a 22-member council. Membership would depend on the size, population and economic potential of a country.

Answering a question, Dr. Haq said that since 1987, major powers have reduced their military spending by four percent annually. But South Asia, which is the poorest region, has increased it and India and Pakistan have spent more than $20 billion which is twice of Saudi Arab's arms purchase.

He added, it is difficult to say what is the cause and the effect, because a complicated issue, linked with bitter legacy is involved. The fact of the matter is that the issue has paralysed the development of both the countries.