Member states are invited to devote this special day to the promotion of concrete national activities in accordance with the objectives and goals of the World Summit for Social Development and the twenty-fourth session of the General Assembly, entitled "World Summit for Social Development and beyond: achieving social development for all in a globalizing world".
In their assessments of the implementation of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development held in Copenhagen, Member States diverged on a number of major issues, including globalization and the international financial crisis, the decline of official development assistance and debt relief initiatives, and the eradication of poverty.
As explored at the World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen in March 1995 and attended by 117 Heads of State and Government, the concept of a "society for all" recognizes that: * Inclusive societies respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, cultural and religious diversity, social justice, democratic participation and the rule of law.
In a resolution on the implementation of the outcome of the World Summit for Social Development (6-12 March 1995, Copenhagen), the Assembly emphasized that democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to development, transparent and accountable governance and administration in all sectors of society, and effective participation by civil society were an "essential part of the necessary foundations for the realization of social and people-centred sustainable development".
The agreed conclusions also note that the Copenhagen Declaration and Programme of Action, which came out of the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, identified the need for new policies aimed at groups with special needs.
Also, techniques of debt conversion applied to social development programmes and projects should be created, in conformity with the priorities of the March 1995 World Summit for Social Development, held in Copenhagen.
