By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Francis ChullikattApostolic Nuncio,
Permanent Observer of the Holy See
Economic and Social
Council 49th session of the Commission for Social
Development On Item 3 (a)Priority
Theme: "Poverty Eradication"
New York, 11 February 2011Mr. Chairman,
At the outset my Delegation extends its best wishes to you and
the Bureau for a productive session and looks forward to a successful discussion
on the important theme of poverty eradication.
The subject of poverty eradication is of supreme importance to
the Holy See. Motivated by the “preferential option for the poor,” the Holy See
currently works in every region of the world to achieve poverty eradication for
all people.
The last two decades have seen continued progress towards
addressing and reducing global poverty. However, this progress remains uneven
with many regions of the world still failing to see substantial progress and
over one billion people still living in extreme poverty and hunger. For example,
over 1.5 billion have no access to electricity, and over one billion still live
without access to clean water. After the World Summit for Social Development in
Copenhagen (12 March 1995), the global community sees evidence of hope and
optimism in the field of social development. Nevertheless, against the backdrop
of the recent world economic and financial crisis, millions of our brothers and
sisters go hungry every day and struggle amidst surmounting
poverty.
The international community urgently needs to find proposals
for a durable and enduring solution to this problem. At the Copenhagen
Summit, the Holy See promoted a vision of social development which is "political, economic, ethical and
spiritual... with full respect for religious and ethical values and the
cultural patrimony of persons". My delegation continues to believe that this
heuristic view of human development is necessary; development cannot be measured
only in terms of economic growth and eradication of poverty cannot be based only
on measurable economic outcome. Rather, authentic development requires fostering
the development of each human being and of the whole human being.
Without the accompanying ethical and spiritual dimension, social
development lacks the necessary foundation upon which it should be built and
sustained. At the centre of development is recognizing the dignity of the human
person and ensuring full respect for man’s innate dignity and fundamental
rights. This ethical foundation must link individuals, families, generations,
and peoples – irrespective of class and distinction that are based on politics,
economic position or social status. This calls for renewed forms of cooperation
and a more decisive commitment by all. In that sense, the primary capital to be
safeguarded and valued is the human person in his or her integrity: “[the] human
being is the source, the focus and the aim of all economic and social
life.”
As we prepare for the twentieth anniversary of the International
Year of the Family, drafting a programme for social development must give due
recognition to the most basic social institution, the human family, founded on
marriage. The institution of the family, which is a sine qua non for preparing the future
generation, is being challenged by many factors in the modern world and the
family needs to be defended and safeguarded. Children should not be seen as a
burden but instead must be recognized as irreplaceable gifts. We must also
acknowledge publicly that they are the builders of future generations. Often
overlooked are the procreative and educational mission of parents and the
intergenerational engagement experienced best in families. When a society is
deprived of its basic unit, the family, and the social relationships that emerge
from it, great psychological and spiritual suffering, even amidst economic and
social well-being, can ensue.
As Pope Benedict XVI, stated: “It is thus becoming a social and
even economic necessity once more to hold up to future generations the beauty of
marriage and the family, and the fact that these institutions correspond to the
deepest needs and dignity of the person. In view of this, States are called to
enact policies promoting the centrality and the integrity of the family founded
on marriage between a man and a woman, the primary vital cell of society,
and to assume responsibility for its economic and fiscal needs, while
respecting its essentially relational character.”
While policy makers often state that population growth is
detrimental to development, the reality is that where economic growth has
increased, it is often accompanied with population increases. In developed
regions, we are now witnessing dwindling and ageing populations and many nations
are struggling to maintain social services and economic growth as the ratio of
workers to non-workers decreases. In the developing regions, we are witnessing
an unprecedented decline in fertility / birth rate – a decline advocated often
as the best means to achieve development. However, many nations in the
developing world are now at risk of “growing old before they grow rich.”
The future generations of children and youth are in fact the
best and only means of overcoming social and economic problems. Poverty is
caused not by too many children, but by too little investment and support in the
development of children. Human history teaches us that if there is sufficient
investment in children they will grow up to contribute far in excess of what
they have consumed, thereby raising the standard of living for all. It is their
strong hands and able minds that will feed the hungry, cure the sick, and build
homes for the homeless. Societies and humanity itself need an internal support
and substratum to survive. But if this natural support is threatened, the
culture will wither. In brief, promoting a culture that is open to life and
based on the family is fundamental to realizing the full potential and the
authentic development of the society for both today and the
future.
Furthermore, social integration policies must be motivated by
the common good, which goes beyond the good of the individual but must include
all elements of society: individuals, families and intermediate groups who
together constitute the society. As such, even at this international level, we
must be mindful of the essential role of smaller social groups, starting with
the family, in poverty eradication. International efforts should foster and
augment, not replace, the legitimate function of intermediate groups at the
local level. The common good belongs to the entire social community and the
whole human family.
In the proper effort for promoting social integration for the
entire human family, globalization has provided new avenues for economic and
civil cooperation; however, “as society becomes ever more globalized, it makes
us neighbours but does not make us brothers and sisters”. An authentic and
durable social development can be attained through real social measures and
incentives originating from fraternal solidarity and charity.
Some of the
biggest challenges to social integration and cohesion are, first, the inequality
in wealth and incomes as well as in human capital and education, and second, the
lack of access to all sectors of society especially by the poor and other
disregarded groups such as women and children. Increasing disparities in income
and access to economic growth have limited the effectiveness of economic growth
in reducing poverty. While informal social protection mechanisms have played a
vital role in fostering a more just economic civil system, efforts to expand
social programs in education, health care for the ageing, disabled and the other
needy sectors of the society must be done in a manner which promotes the
essential right to life and which respects the freedom of conscience of service
providers who care for those in need. Moreover, social protection programs must
avoid creating dependency; rather, they should seek to provide assistance and
the tools necessary to promote individual and community renewal and
self-support. In the familial and other informal social protection mechanisms,
NGOs and local religious organizations can play an important
role.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, my delegation would like to draw
attention to the plight of migrants. In these troubled times, extra efforts are
needed to defend their human rights and to respect their inalienable human
dignity. Social integration and poverty eradication programs must take into
account the millions of these brothers and sisters who are destined to live
outside of their own country and on the margins of the societies. Full respect
for their fundamental rights, including their rights as workers, must be duly
ensured by countries of transition and destination. Social justice demands
favourable working conditions for these souls, ensuring their psychological
stability, avoiding new forms of economic marginalization and guaranteeing their
individual freedom and creativity.
In conclusion, what is needed today is a strategic approach
towards poverty eradication based on true social justice in order to help reduce
the suffering of millions of our brothers and sisters. Authentic social
development policies must address not only the economic and political needs, but
also the spiritual and ethical dimension of each human person. In this manner,
every individual in the society can be free from all forms of poverty, both
material and spiritual.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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