VATICAN PUTS PEOPLE FIRST AT SUSTAINABLE

UNCLAS VATICAN 004217

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR EUR/WE (MENNUTI),IO
DEPT. PLS PASS IO COLLECTIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ECON EAID EAGR SENV SOCI VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN PUTS PEOPLE FIRST AT SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT


1. "PEOPLE COME FIRST" WILL BE THE LEITMOTIF FOR THE VATICAN
DELEGATION AT THE WORLD SUMMIT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
IN AN AUGUST 25 MESSAGE FROM HIS SUMMER RETREAT AT
CASTELGANDOLFO, POPE JOHN PAUL II WISHED SUMMIT DELEGATES
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SUCCESS "IN FINDING EFFECTIVE WAYS FOR AN INTEGRAL HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT, KEEPING IN MIND THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND
ENVIRONMENTAL DIMENSION. THE POPE DESCRIBED THE WORLD AS
"INCREASINGLY INTERDEPENDENT" AND SAID WE HAVE A DIVINE CALL
TO CULTIVATE AND PROTECT THE EARTH, ITS PEOPLE AND
RESOURCES. HE EMPHASIZED THAT PEACE, JUSTICE AND THE
PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT CAN ONLY BE THE FRUIT OF
COMMON EFFORT BY ALL HUMANITY - RICH AND POOR.


2. THE HOLY SEE DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY ARCHBISHOP RENATO
MARTINO, THE HOLY SEE'S PERMANENT OBSERVER TO THE UNITED
NATIONS. ARCHBISHOP MARTINO TOLD REPORTERS AUGUST 26 THAT
THE FIRST PRINCIPLE OF THE RIO DECLARATION -- HUMAN BEINGS
ARE AT THE CENTER OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CONCERNS --
WOULD BE THE BASIS FOR HIS DELEGATION'S PARTICIPATION IN
JOHANNESBURG. THE RIO DOCUMENT'S INSISTENCE ON THE PRIMACY
OF THE PERSON IN DEVELOPMENT ISSUES WAS, ACCORDING TO
MARTINO, A KEY HOLY SEE OBJECTIVE AT THAT MEETING. (COMMENT:
IN PRACTICAL TERMS FOR JOHANNESBURG THIS IMPLIES THAT THE
HOLY SEE WILL NOT BE WEDDED TO ANY PARTICULAR STRATEGY,
PARTNERSHIP, BENCHMARK OR DEADLINE UNLESS IT PROMOTES THE
VATICAN'S TRADITIONAL PRIORITY OF THE VALUE OF THE HUMAN
PERSON, FAMILY, AND SOCIETY. END COMMENT).


3. IN A PAPER PREPARED FOR THE PREPARATORY MEETINGS LEADING
UP TO THE WSSD, THE HOLY SEE HIGHLIGHTED AS ITS PRIORITIES
POVERTY ERADICATION, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATION,
BASIC HEALTH CARE, AND ADEQUATE SHELTER. THEY ALSO SUPPORT
"NEW PATTERNS OF CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION" BASED ON
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN WHICH THE HUMAN PERSON
RECOGNIZES HIS OR HER RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP ORDER THE
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WORLD. MARTINO SIGNALED VATICAN CONCERN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT
OF A MORE RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO MANAGING THE WORLD'S WATER
RESOURCES, AND WILL SUPPORT INITIATIVES AIMED AT ENSURING
ADEQUATE SUPPLIES OF DRINKING WATER.


4. THE HOLY SEE'S VIEWS ON PROMOTING GOOD GOVERNANCE TRACK
CLOSELY WITH U.S. PERSPECTIVES. THEIR PREPARATORY PAPER
HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE, PARTICULARLY
IN REGARD TO FIGHTING CORRUPTION, PROMOTING GREATER
DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION, ESTABLISHING WELL-FUNCTIONING
BUREAUCRACIES AND REGULATORY SYSTEMS, ENFORCING LAWS, AND
PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS. THEY CONCLUDE THAT "THE LACK OF
STABLE INSTITUTIONS AND SOUND POLICIES ARE OFTEN A CAUSE OF
POVERTY, ONES THAT EVEN INCREASED LEVELS OF DEVELOPMENT
ASSISTANCE CANNOT OVERCOME. CORRUPTION MUST BE CONSIDERED A
SCANDAL AND A MAJOR IMPEDIMENT TO DEVELOPMENT."
NICHOLSON

NOTE: NOT PASSED TO ABOVE ADDRESSEE(S)

UNCLASSIFIED

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2002VATICA04217 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED