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Working Towards Social Integration in the ESCAP Region
Social Policy Paper No. 3, 2001
ST/ESCAP/2169

The approaches to social integration in the context of the openhagen Declaration and of the Agenda for Action on Social Development in the ESCAP Region have undergone profound changes. Several key issues related to social integration, especially the process of integrating vulnerable groups such as the elderly, people with disabilities, youth and women in poverty, have received greater attention. Overcoming new challenges posed by the spread of HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and civil conflict are also being considered as part of efforts at social integration. Market-based solutions such as employment generation and skills training in the integration process have been examined as complementing government
efforts, and the role of non-governmental organizations and civil society organizations in that process has become quite pronounced in recent years. The changing role of government, with special reference to developing private sector-public sector collaboration in promoting social integration, has also been emphasized. The present paper considers some of these issues and trends and provides some policy options to develop and implement effective social integration policies and programmes in the region, based on the analysis conducted in the paper. The ESCAP secretariat acknowledges the contribution of Mr Bienvenido Rola, Adjunct Professor, Institute of Strategic Planning and Policy Studies, College of Public Affairs, University of the Philippines, Los Banõs, in preparing this paper.