As the UN Reforms calls for, there are growing expectations for one UN voice at the country level and closer partnership with national counterparts in developing national plans and strengthening national capacities and systems.
Drawing upon the UN Common Country Assessment and the UN Development Assistance Framework,the UN Country Team developed a policy proposal on social development for the 11th National Five Year Plan (2006-2010). The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) printed it in Chinese as a document for wide circulation within the government.
The paper highlights the key challenges, the underlying problems and specific policy actions that could form the core of the Five Year Plan (2006-2010) on social development. It includes five separate chapters with policy notes on health, education, ‘jobful growth’, social protection and HIV/AIDS. The framework emphasizes the crosscutting issues in social development, while the policy notes present policy recommendations in the respective areas.
Linkages between economic growth, poverty and social development are explored. It is argued that growth with equity and social development are increasingly becoming the catalyst for sustained economic growth, reduced poverty and social stability.
It is our hope that the analysis and ideas presented in the paper will contribute to the preparation of the Five Year Plan as it seeks to deliver on a harmonious ‘Xiaokang’ vision and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The UN system stands ready to assist China in this endeavor.
