By Holy See Mission
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Celestino MiglioreApostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer of the Holy
See to the United NationsBefore the Plenary of the 59th General
Assembly on Item 4510th Anniversary of the International
Conference on Population and DevelopmentNew York, 14 October 2004Mr.
President,
In observing the 10th anniversary of
the International Conference on Population and Development, we recall
the vital
importance of the well-being and progress of every member of the human
family.
This theme of the Cairo Conference continues to have a heightened
significance
in the light of the fact that the gap between the rich and the poor of
the world
is still widening, a situation which poses an ever increasing threat to
the
peace for which humanity longs. The theme of the Cairo Conference
emphasizes the
reality that all proper concerns about human population are inextricably
connected with the development and flourishing of every human being.
An important milestone at ICPD was the link between
migration and development that, ever since, has prompted increased
sensitivity,
research, cooperation and effective policies in this field. Migration is
now
recognized as a major challenge for all, linked to development and
poverty, as
well as to financial and health security. In particular, migrants are
now seen
as proactive agents of development. While appreciating the proper
importance of
these achievements, States now have to focus much more on creating jobs
where
people live. Political will and firm determination are needed on the
part of
Governments and civil society in order to foster a proper cultural,
social and
juridical environment capable of overcoming the persistent phenomena of
discrimination, violence, human trafficking and xenophobia. Migration,
now more
than ten years ago, has international attention because of demographics
in the
developed world.
A decade ago, we were informed of United Nations
studies indicating that a rapid decrease in the global rate of
population growth
was expected to begin during the 1990s and carry on into the new
century. It is
now a fact that population growth has declined appreciably in many of
the
industrialized developed nations, and that this decline poses a serious
threat
to their future. The Holy See continues to follow these matters
carefully, while
encouraging accurate and objective assessments of population issues and
global
solidarity in regard to development strategies, especially as they
affect the
developing nations of the world. The Holy See is concerned that proper
attention
is not always given to the comprehensive set of principles, including
the
ethical ones, essential in determining the right response to the
demographic,
sociological and public policy analyses of the data on population
trends.
Population policy is only one part of an overall
strategy for the betterment of humanity. It is essential that any
discussion of
population policies must simultaneously consider the actual and
projected
development of the human race. All development worthy of the name must
be
integral and cannot consist in the simple accumulation of wealth and in
the
greater availability of goods and services, but must be pursued with due
consideration for the social, cultural and spiritual dimensions of every
human
being. Development programs must respect the cultural heritage of
peoples and
nations, foster structures of participation and shared responsibility,
and
empower our human capacity, so that each one of us can become the person
that he
or she was created to be.
It would therefore be wiser if focus were placed
upon the formulation of population policies that promoted a responsible
kind of
personal liberty, instead of one that was too narrowly defined.
From this, it follows, among other things, that
the duty to safeguard the family demands that special attention be given
to
securing for husband and wife the liberty to decide responsibly, free
from all
social or legal coercion, the number of children they will have and the
spacing
of their births. It should be the intent of Governments and other
agencies to
help create the social conditions which will enable couples themselves
to make
appropriate decisions in the light of their responsibilities. We know
that
responsible parenthood is not a question of unlimited procreation or
lack of
awareness of what is involved in rearing children, but it also involves
the
right of parents to use their liberty wisely. Moreover, couples that
choose to
have large families deserve to be supported.
The seriousness of the challenges that
Governments and, above all, parents must face in the education of the
younger
generation means that we cannot abdicate our responsibility to lead
young people
to a deeper understanding of their own dignity and potentiality as
persons. It
remains our task to challenge them with a demanding ethic which fully
respects
their dignity and which leads them to the wisdom which is needed in
order to
face the many demands of life.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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