Chapter
20 - Public Participation in Sustainable Development
INTRODUCTION
20.1 The support and participation of public and social groups is essential to the achievement of sustainable development. The form and degree of their participation determine the rate at which the objectives of sustainable development are realized. In view of the fact that public participation and provisions have been included in China's constitution and laws, concerning public participation in national affairs, and that the particular importance of public participation has now been fully recognized, it is necessary to work out the comprehensive objectives, policies and action programmes for public participation in sustainable development.
20.2 New mechanisms are needed for public participation in sustainable development. It is necessary for the public to not only participate in policy-making related to environment and development, particularly in areas which may bear direct impact on their living and working communities, but also to supervise the implementation of the policies. The purpose of this chapter is to put forth a strategic arrangement for public participation in sustainable development. Public participation is a necessary component in the realization of concerns in all areas addressed by this document. Therefore, public participation is given comprehensive consideration in this chapter as well as in all the other chapters. To accomplish the objectives of this chapter, special consideration should be given to the coordination of the programme areas covered by such chapters as Chapter 3, 6, 11, and 12.
20.3 This chapter covers the following five program areas:
- A.
Participation of Women in Sustainable Development
B. Participation of Children and Youth in Sustainable Development
PROGRAMME AREAS
A. Participation of Women in Sustainable Development
Basis for action
20.4 With the progressive development of democracy and legislation in China, policies and legal mechanisms are essential prerequisites to guarantee women participation in sustainable development. In view of major problems faced by women and their important role in environmental protection and sustainable development, the international community has approved several action programmes, and conventions to promote women's full and equal participation in sustainable development. The Agenda 21 requires that each nation adapt the rights stipulated in the international convention to its own national law and take measures to guarantee its implementation.
20.5 The Agenda 21 has placed special emphasis on the elimination of all economic, legal, administrative, cultural, and social obstacles which hinder women from full participation in sustainable development. The elimination of social prejudice against women and the building up of women's capacity for participation will bear significant impact on the progress of sustainable development.
20.6 China fully supports the "Nairobi Convention on the Prospective Strategy of Enhancing Women's Social Status," and the "Convention on the Elimination of All Kinds of Discrimination against Women" signed at an earlier date. Furthermore, China has done a large amount of concrete work for the implementation of the documents and has stipulated many laws to guarantee women's right to full and equal participation in social development.
20.7 Owing to China's traditional ideology of placing priority on men over women, the participation of China's women in sustainable development is, as of yet, far from meeting the needs for either the nation's economic and social development or their own liberation:
- (a) There still exists in the society prejudice
and discrimination against women. Women do not enjoy the same employment
opportunities as men, and it is difficult for women to find jobs. Women
are still faced with an irrational employment structure, and they are subject
to physical attacks to a certain extent;
(b) Women in China, especially those in rural areas, are shouldering the double task of social production and child bearing. The participation of women in development is often hampered by household chores. Family planning is still a task born by women alone, a fact which reflects the serious existence of inequality between man and women. Women do not receive routine health checks, and there are women, no matter how small the number, still suffering from the lack of food and clothing;
(c) Women's right to education has not been fully realized in China, which is detrimental to the raising of their cultural equality. 20.8 China has over 500 million women, of which more than 56.0 million are working women. The percentage of Chinese women participating in making environmental and developmental policy is much too small relative to their important role in societal development and child bearing. Many of their problems in this regard, call for urgent solution, but have not as yet been put on the nation's agenda. This situation must change. Encouraging the participation of Chinese women in sustainable development will inspire their sense of responsibility, which will, in turn, promote environmental protection and social development.
Objectives
20.9 By the year 2000, national strategies should be formulated and promulgated concerning the elimination of all obstacles which hinder women from participation in sustainable development. National programs for the execution of the international convention and action programs regarding the participation of women in sustainable development should be prepared. National legislation in corresponding fields should be carried out, and a complete mechanism for law-making, supervision and inspection to guarantee the participation of women in sustainable development should be established. The following aspects are included in the objectives:
- (a) To bring changes to the social concept of
prejudice and discrimination against women. To realize equality between
men and women in employment and wages; and to eliminate physical violence
against women;
(b) To lighten household burdens on women and provide women with better nutrition and health care. To establish or improve family-planning services for women, and to help women shake off poverty;
(c) To guarantee women's equal right to education. To encourage women to learn, to read and write, to go to school or to attend training courses, so as to build up their participation capacity.
20.10 The strategy used for encouraging women to participate in sustainable development will promote the following objectives:
- (a) To increase the percentage of women participating
at the policy-making level regarding environment and development;
(b) To encourage women to participate in rural economic development and conservation of the ecological environment;
(c) To promote women's participation in the nation's sustainable development strategy in the consumption sector.
Activities
20.11 Priority should be given to the establishment of mechanisms for research, data collection and dissemination of documentation regarding women's participation in sustainable development. Academic institutions and women researchers should be encouraged to do research on the legal mechanisms related to women's participation in sustainable development, and when necessary, to set up new research institutions. Data and documentation related to women's participation should be collected systematically, so as to raise the standard of the nation's statistical work in this area. Systematic statistical indicators related to women should be established in the national system to help the work of agencies dealing specifically with women's concerns; and the efficiency of the dissemination of the above-mentioned data and information in all aspects of work concerning women's participation, from decision-making to implementation, should be raised.
20.12 Establishment and improvement of policies, laws and regulations related to women's participation should be made, and a programme for improvement worked out to accomplish the following objectives:
- (a) To examine the international convention on
the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women from the present
to the year 2000, and work out a proposal for amendment, according to women's
role and needs in environmental and development areas. To study other related
international conventions and programs of action, in order to prepare China's
own policies and programs;
(b) To make a comprehensive investigation and assessment on current status, implementations and existing problems of legislation and laws and policies concerning the participation of women in sustainable development; their implementation, and problems involved therein. To prepare a national programme for the improvement of the laws and policies in regard to women's participation, and to prepare corresponding policies and laws;
(c) To formulate district strategies and professional strategies to promote women's participation, with priority placed on certain key areas and fields; and to channel these strategies into coordination with national strategies;
(d) To prepare national strategies and programs to guarantee the overall implementation of laws and policies protecting the rights of women. To establish practical and efficient law-enforcement supervision systems, law education systems, legal service systems, and stop all phenomenon of harm and discrimination against women.
20.13 Measures should be taken to establish institutions to supervise the execution of related laws and policies for participation of women in sustainable development. Institutions supervising women's participation should work within the government's law-enforcement supervision system. Special supervising institutions may be set up when necessary, and a special supervision procedure worked out. Public supervision, especially that of women and women's organizations, should be strengthened.
20.14 A civilized and advanced attitude towards women should be advocated, and women demonstrating outstanding accomplishments should be rewarded and used as models in order to create a social atmosphere that pays respect to women and gives them equal protection. This will be accomplished through use of the following:
- (a) By using the media in promoting a new image
of woman. To recognize their contributions and value in society, beyond
child bearing, and to criticize such social phenomenon that discriminates
against women;
(b) To promote the concept of equality between men and women through formal and informal education. To make plans for reassessment and revision of all textbooks and teaching materials in regard to women, so that they can bring to the public a civilized and advanced attitude towards them;
(c) To elect "March 8 Red Banners," "Women Masters," "Women Pioneers," in fields of women participation, so that modern women are promoted as good images for society.
20.15 Equal employment opportunities for women should be one of the important items in comprehensive planning for social development, development of production, and the creation of job opportunities. Investigation should be made of the industrial structure and mode of employment, and efforts should be made to enlarge women's employment fields. Institutions should be established to provide women with employment guidance and training.
20.16 Comprehensive measures should be taken to reduce women's household burdens, by putting this principle on the governments agenda at various levels. Social services such as daily life service, which provide ready-made or semi-ready food and clothing to families,and household services which provide maids and other forms of labours to families,are encouraged and developed. To change the model for housework division, the new model which husband and wife have both equal responsibility to housework should be encouraged.
20.17 A comprehensive plan should be drawn out to improve the health care services for women and children. The plan should be included in the nation's targets for the social and economic development by the year 2000. A health care network for women in the rural areas should be established at the village, town and county levels. A health care network for women in cities should be established too. The quality of the health care personnel, their technique and service quality, should be raised. The percentage of breast-feeding should be raised through education, social welfare and other effective measures.
20.18 Plans should be made to set up conscientious and dedicated family-planning services, which women can turn to at any time, of their own free will, and according to their own values and needs. Education and propaganda should be launched on a wide scale, so that a larger portion of the female population will be willing to take part in family planning, voluntarily choose to have fewer children, and raise them properly. A system should be worked out to give regular commendation to women who have done well in the family-planning programme. Safe, convenient and inexpensive birth-control facilities as well as techniques should be passed out. Related systems and services such as family-planning social compensation foundations should be established. Women who have chosen to practice family-planning should be guaranteed equal rights to such social services.
20.19 Measures should be taken to eliminate illiteracy among the young and middle-aged women. Women and girls should be educated as to the value of accepting the nine-year compulsory education system, and women should be given more opportunities to receive high-school education and scientific and technical training through the use of the following strategies:
- (a) Establishing an administrative system for
the elimination of illiteracy among women, which will be responsible for
the task objectives, data documentation, operation of the system and quality
supervision. By establishing education centers for the elimination of illiteracy,
to compile teaching materials for the purpose to train special management
personnel and teachers, to work out rules which can be easily accepted
by the local people. By strengthening international cooperation both on
the elimination of illiteracy and on the education of women thereafter;
(b) Popularizing a nine-year compulsory education system in accordance to law. All kinds of measures will be taken to eliminate the obstacles to girl's education. A reporting system on schooling and dropouts will be set up in order to assure school-aged girls to go to school and to complete education;
(c) By taking measures to raise the percentage of girls and women in high schools, professional high schools, special training schools and colleges. By holding various kinds of professional on- the-job training courses and practical technical courses for women so that their scientific and technical knowledge can be raised. By increasing the proportion of professional education in women cadre schools at all levels.
20.20 To enable more women to take part in policy-making, management and technical practices related to environment and development. Training for women holding government posts should be strengthened. Women's ability to participate in government and political affairs as well as their decision-making and management ability can be raised by such measures as assigning them to several different posts, to work at grassroots level posts, or to exchange their experiences with those on other posts. Measures should be taken to guarantee the selection of competent women to government posts, as well as the percentage of women on such posts.
20.21 To ensure the women's actual rights, responsibilities and benefits which is represented and safeguarded by Women's Federation and organizations. Decision-making departments at all levels should ensure the Women's Federation the right to voice its opinions and adopt their good opinions in final decision, when drawing up policies concerning women participation in sustainable development. Furthermore, Women's Federations' opinions should be regarded as a part of the basis upon which a decision is made. The women's federation should be ensured necessary funds, facilities and a way to increase its funding with the support of government policies.
20.22 Plans should be prepared allowing women to take part in the development of rural economic planning and conservation of the natural environment by the following measures:
- (a) By taking measures to carry out the "Act
for Protection of Women's Rights," and other related laws; to ensure
women in the rural areas, their rights to land, credits, etc., and to provide
women in rural areas with beneficiary policies in taxation when they participate
in the utilization of land, labour and biological resources. Government
authorities and financial institutions should make beneficiary arrangements
for women to take part in agricultural production. Women should be allowed
to set up their own financial institutions. Banks and credit cooperatives
should provide women with revolving loans needed to buy production equipment,
and in selling and processing agricultural products;
(b) The government should support and give beneficiary taxation provisions to women and women's organizations to participate in resource development, such as eco-agriculture, "March 8 Green Engineering Project," projects and pollution-free genetic-engineering projects;
(c) By encouraging international exchange and cooperation, and seeking international support and cooperation in such aspects as technology, funding and information.
20.23 Approaches should be taken to educate women on the concept of clean consumption and production to bring about a change in the current consumption and production mode.
20.24 Concerning the important role of women in residents' consumption, the activities in this area should refer to Chapter 6, programme area B of "residents' consumption and sustainable development."
B. Participation of Children and Youth in Sustainable Development
Basis for action
20.25 The international community is greatly concerned with the participation of youth in sustainable development, and has put forth many proposals and actions to ensure that the youth will be able to enjoy a safe and healthy future. The concept of safe and healthy future includes a healthy natural environment, high living standards, and education and employment opportunities. China is a country with a young population structure. In the present percent of China's population falling in the category of youth is 29.81%, and therefore make up an important force in the promotion of environmental protection and sustainable development. Without the overall participation of youth, it is impossible to realize the long term strategic objectives of sustainable development and environmental protection. China is experiencing increased modernization, accelerated development of a socialist market economy and a diversification of the national economy. Therefore, to draw up plans and programs on the participation of youth in sustainable development will be of practical and historic importance to China's push for sustainable development.
20.26 Children occupy 27.7% of China's total population. They love their motherland and are concerned about the environment around them, and have done a lot of work towards natural resource conservation and sustainable development. Consideration must be given to children's participation in and their benefit from work regarding the environment and development, so that future generations can be guaranteed a better life.
20.27 Despite the fact that the Chinese government has paid much attention to the role of sustainable development and the education of youth, there are some economic factors that make it difficult for the youth to receive the education and training they need in order to be able to participate in social decision- making and sustainable development, thus working out a plan to promote the participation of youth in sustainable development is requisite.
Objectives
20.28 The linkage and dialogue between the government and youth circles should be strengthened. Representatives from youth organizations may act as media to state, district and local governments in consultation concerning environmental and developmental matters. Thus, it is possible for youth representatives to voice their opinions and play their part in making decisions on issues that may bear an impact on their future.
20.29 Environmental protection organizations should be set up involving young people all over the country, so as to encourage their participation in sustainable development.
20.30 Efforts should be made to create more educational opportunities for the youth, and their right to education should be guaranteed. Efforts should also be made to solve their employment problems. By the year 2000, the number of youths on the employment waiting list should be controlled below 2%. The living conditions for youth, such as living environment, payment, housing and so on, should be improved to catch up with that of the adult population.
20.31 The legal rights of youth (especially that of the young women) should be guaranteed, and favourable conditions for their growth and development should be promoted, by providing them with the protection of law, chances for capacity building, occupational opportunities and financial support. The "Convention on the Rights of the Children" and "Act on the Protection of the Youth of the People's Republic of China" should be carried out conscientiously. Laws concerning the protection of the rights of children and youth should be improved, to ensure children's living condition and health and guarantee the condition and the realization of the interests of children and youth in the progress of sustainable development. Children and youth should be educated about environmental conservation and sustainable development in order to raise their environmental consciousness to enable them to master both the knowledge and techniques for the protection and improvement of the environment.
Activities
20.32 To improve the participation of youth in sustainable development by the following means:
- (a) In the National People's Congress and the
Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, there must be certain
percentage of deputies from the youth circles;
(b) An increasing percentage of youth organization representatives should be included in delegations to international conferences;
(c) Governments at all levels should issue documentation to youth circles during the policy- making process concerning environment and development, and listen to and when possible incorporate their opinions;
(d) Governments at all levels should give full consideration to the opinions and suggestions put forth at international, regional or local youth congresses or resolutions passed in regard to social and economic development and resource management;
(e) Information and documentation should be made available to youth circles in time for them to understand the policy-making process concerning environmental protection and sustainable development. Furthermore, youth organizations should be able to voice their opinions and suggestions concerning the implementation of China's Agenda 21;
(f) Youth organizations should be encouraged to participate actively in social consultative dialogue in regard to environment and development; and to voice their opinions and suggestions about policies and principles which bear impact on the benefits of the youth. Youth delegates to the People's Congress, the People's Political Consultative Conference, Workers' Congress and Enterprises' Congress constantly aware of the opinions and needs of the young people in general, should be able to actively put forth motions and proposals related to problems of the youth. They should make use of their privilege of participation in political affairs to defend the rights of the youth.
20.33 Efforts should be made to guarantee that all youths will receive education to some extent. The Compulsory Education Law will be implemented. By the end of this century, the 9-year compulsory education will be basically popularized nationwide and youth and middle-aged illiteracy should be primarily eliminated. Education system will be reformed and education approaches will be broadened to spur the enthusiasm of all social groups on education. Fundamental education will be greatly strengthened. Meanwhile, vocational, adult, and high education will be actively developed. Technology and management skills concerning agriculture, animal husbandry, and township and village enterprises should be disseminated in rural areas. Education contents should be reformed for all youths to master the knowledge and skills necessary for future social and individual development and to improve environmental protection awareness and relevant practical and operational capability.
20.34 Measures should be taken to solve employment problems of the young people. The employment system should be reformed in order to create broad employment opportunities for youth in State-owned, collectively-owned, joint-venture and individual sectors. Employment training centres should be formed to provide unemployed youths or those on the waiting list with a variety of training services. Employment service companies and labour markets may also be set up to help unemployed young people. Protection and support for these unemployed youths can be provided through different kinds of unemployment insurance and other forms of social welfare.
20.35 Measures should be taken to encourage the youth to take part in sustainable development and environmental protection activities. Various kinds of environmental protection groups may be set up to organize the youth to participate in sustainable development. Advanced models in environmental protection activities should be set up to organize the youth to participate in sustainable development. Ecological engineering such as tree planting will continue to be carried out by young people. The youth should be encouraged to live according to new concepts such as "conservation is honourable, waste is shameful" in order to change irrational consumption models.
20.36 Measures should be taken to defend youth's lawful rights and benefits. By 1995, a Youth Act should be formulated and implemented, as well as related laws and regulations. The rights of the youth in regard to education, employment, labour protection, marriage and other social rights will thus be consolidated into legal forms. Oppression, discrimination, persecution, and corruption of youth, especially of young women, should be made illegal. Institutions responsible for coordinating the protection of the youth should be established on the state and local levels, and service and social insurance systems for the youth should also be created or improved.
20.37 "Outline of China's Development Program for Children in the 1990s," promulgated by the Chinese government should be implemented in order to ensure that children receive proper nutrition and health care. The principle of "having fewer children, enhancing their standard of living, and giving them a better education" should be advocated in the whole country. By the year 2000 the goal, through improved health care, should be to reduce the number of children with congenital defects by about 1/2, and infantile mortality and the mortality rate of children under 5 by about 1/3, as compared with the respective figures of 1990. Public health administrative bodies at all levels should place their strategic priority on health care and rural hygiene. Measures should be taken to ensure that, by the year 2000, 95% of midwifery in rural areas is medically monitored. The breast-fed percentage of infants between four to six months should be raised. Children suffering from a lack of nutrition shall be supplied with nourishing food, to reduce the number of children under five suffering from first or second degrees of deficiency diseases to 1/2 that of the 1990 figures. Measures should be taken to raise health care coverage and increase immunization. In addition, it is necessary to point out that the above mentioned activities is related to some programme areas in the Chapter 9.
20.38 Plans should be drawn up to promote primary environmental protection activities for youth which address the needs of the residential communities they live in. The social environment in both the family and the community should be improved, so that the youth can have a better living and environmental standard. Greater efforts should be made to guarantee the safety of drinking water and the hygienic treatment of excretions. A tree-planting movement, to reduce erosion, should be launched on a large scale, and active prevention of air, water, and land pollution should be promoted.
20.39 Measures should be taken to provide more education opportunities for children and youth. More investment, both private and public, should be put into education to create a greater variety of private and public institutions. The whole country should be mobilized to develop and enhance pre-school education. More funding and qualitative improvement should be given to elementary education, and compulsory education at the primary-school and/or junior-middle-school levels should be instated. Special education for mentally and physically disabled youth should be greatly enhanced. By mobilizing financial resources through both governmental and non-governmental channels, facilities and support for extra-curriculum activities can be improved, increased, and extended.
20.40 Measures should be taken to encourage children and youth to participate in sustainable development. Cooperation and coordination between schools, families and all of society are needed to give children and youth proper education as to their responsibilities toward environmental protection and sustainable development. Children and youth should be organized to take part in various kinds of activities so that they will gain an appreciation for and take an active part in the environmental protection of their communities. Measures should also be taken to see that issues which are of great concern to children and youth be included in decision-making in regard to environmental protection and sustainable development.
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