eventofdecolonization, anditseconomic andsocialworkasexemplified bythe recentefforttoalleviate thegraveeconomic situation inAfrica.The international community nonethelesscontinues tofacethediscouragi.ng reality of economic andsocialinjustices, humanrightsabuses, regional conflicts and international rivalries. Ifwearetocontinue tomakeprogress inthefuture, fscinguptoaIlthese problems, wemustreaff2rm inwordanddeedourfirmcommitment tothepurposes and principles oftheCharter, ourrespect forinternationally agreednormsinthearea ofhumanrightsandourreadiness topromote theeconomic andsocialprogress of aIlpeoples.Inhisstatement totheopening meeting ofthePreparatoryCommittee forthe Fortieth Anniversary oftheUnitedNations, theSecretary-General saidthatthis occasion mustbeused,aboveaIl,"toencourage arededication byMemberStatesto theprinciples andpurposes oftheCharter, topromote interest intheworkofthe Organization andsupport foritsefforts andtoreinvigorate international co-~peration inaIlfieldsofhuman ende~vour". TheWestern countries associate themselves withthisappealbytheSecretary-General andbelieve thatbaththis Committee andtheDepartment ofPublicInformation haveafundamental roletoplay bathinpromoting theimageoftheOrganization andinstrengthening international co-operation intheareaofinformation andcommunication. i, l'i( -44-furth post relat infor exte espec circu faci! everANNEXIV Statement bytheChairman oftheCommittee attheopening ofthe substantive session Permit metooutline someideasaboutthoseproblems andquestions which·we willhedealing withinthenextthreeweeks. TheCommittee onInformation beganitsworkaboutsixyearsago,in April1979.Itscreation bytheGeneral Assembly meantrecognition ofthegrowing roleofpublicinformation, ofthesignificance and~esponsibility ofthemediain ~hepresent time. Atthesametimeitwas,asUnitedNations Secretary-General pérezdeCuéllar underlined beforethisforum,"anacknowledgement thatinformation matters reauired aspecial focusandneededpolicydirectives". TheCommittee has,without doubt. donecommendable, thoughnotaneasyand uncomplicated work.Ithasconstructively participated inthegrowing international discussion abouttheimportance, responsibility andtasksof information. Onthebasisofaclearly defined threefold mandateithasgiven MemberStatesanopportunity toparticipate moreactively intheformation ofthe ~licyandprogrammes ofinformation intheUnited Nation~ system andtoexplain theirposition inthediscussion ontheestablishment ofanewworldinformation andcommunication order. Withtheadmission ofChinaandMexico, whoserepresentatives 1wouldliketo welcome oncemoretodayverycordially witnthehopeforcloseandsuccesful co-operation, thenumberofMemberStatesintheCommittee hasrisenfrom41to66, then67andnowupto69.Thisextended representation is,1believe, proofofa grownprestige andhighesteemoftheCommittee inshaping international relations. OurCommittee lsindeeddealing withacomplex problem whichisundoubtedly subject ofbothgrowing interest andconcern, namelyinformation andinternational exchange ofinformation. Theinfluence ofmassmediaonthethoughts anddeedsof peoplehasneverbeengreater thantoday. PIess,radio,television, filmandnewsagencies playanevermoreimportant paztinthesoeio-political andcultural lifeofourtime. Theyallowmillions of peopletoparticipate directly ineventsoccurring onourplanet. Information exerts agreatinfluence onthethoughts andattitudes ofpeople. Inthelast analysis itbringsaninfluence t~bearontheinternational political climate, on thedegreeofconfidence amongpeoples. Onedoesnotneedtobeaprophet topredict thatthisinfluence willmultiply further. Theconsider~tion ofglobalproblems ofmankind isheldfromdifferent positions. Itiedete~mined byviewswhichfindexpression ininter-governmenal relations. Deepened international division oflabourrequires moreintensive information andcommunication, closerco-operation inthatfielditself. Withthe extension oftheinformation systems oriented towards national aimsandinterests, especially indeveloping countries, thenumb'1rofthosesharing theinternational circulation ofinformation isincreasing.' Notleast,thetremendous scientific andtechnologicl progress incessantly facilitates theadvancing technological perfection ofthemediaand,thus,their evermoreversatile application. Theseare,without doubt,developments ofhigh -45-.r" isignifican~e whichcalIforanswers, answers indirection ofademocratic shaping
**Analysis**
The text discusses the importance of information and communication in the context of international relations, highlighting the role of the United Nations in promoting global cooperation and addressing social and economic injustices. The text also touches on the growing influence of mass media and the need for international cooperation in shaping the global information and communication landscape.

**Category**
Transport and communication, International trade