Doc. 8021
13 February 1998

Need to increase social cohesion in Europe and worldwide

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Gonzalez Laxe and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       The growing globalisation of the world economy is setting new challenges in terms of social cohesion in the world and should therefore be better controlled. On the one hand, technological progress is widening the gap between the qualified and the unqualified, increasing inequalities between the rich and the poor. On the other hand, the ageing of the population, with a reduction in the number of active people available on the labour market, is having serious budgetary effects. In the face of this structural change in the world economy, it is therefore vital to tackle the problem of social cohesion and the indicators for determining to what extent it is being achieved in Europe and worldwide.

2.       The race for international competitiveness should not result in the exclusion of a section of the population but should be run so as to maintain a sufficient level of social cohesion to guarantee fair economic growth, of benefit to all. This is all the more urgent since the latest UNDP "Report on human development" has highlighted a new, worrying phenomenon: whereas poverty in the world is decreasing in general, at the same time it is dramatically worsening in industrial countries, with especially dire effects on children.

3.       Taking account of the UNDP report, the Assembly considers that it is vital to study the issue of social cohesion and seek strategies aimed at reducing poverty.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : 1

Gonzalez Laxe, Spain, SOC

Bonet Casas, Andorra, LDR

Davis, United Kingdom, SOC

Dokle, Albania, SOC

Durrieu, France, SOC

Frey, Switzerland, LDR

Gjellerod, Denmark, SOC

Guirado, Spain, SOC

Gylys, Lithuania, SOC

Pozza Tasca, Italy, LDR

Puche, Spain, EPP/CD

Steolea, Romania, EDG