progress and the information revolution. These changes offer opportunities but also risks and challenges, and these have to be faced together. We have all acknowledged the need for economic growth which places the well-being of the individual in its social and ecological context at the centre of our concerns. The fortunate consequences of these developments are evident: a sustainable economic growth based on individual well-being, social justice and the security of all peoples of our planet is now nearer than ever before. At the same time, the new technologies provide encouraging prospects for dealing with world-wide challenges, such as the need to combat hunger and epidemics or to preserve the environment. What are the challenges confronting us today? The first has to do with the process of democratization and liberalization in Central and Eastern Europe, in particular the problems of transition from a JVM./32 A/S-18/PV. 4 152 (Mr. Blankart, Switzerland) controlled economy to a market economy. Any failure in this delicate process would jeopardize improvement in political relations in Europe and in the world. The upheavals in Central and Eastern Europe concern all members of the international community. The industrialized countries, in particular those in Western Europe, are naturally expected to provide special support for these reforms. This support -and here we have a second challenqe of capital importance - must not be provided at the expense of the developinq countries. Those countries find themselves in very unequal situations, often in a precarious state in so far as concerns their abili tv to deal not only with today •s challenqes but also tomorrow's. For too many developinq countries the qap between them and the rest of the world continues to widen. In order to avert the risk of a break in our proqress -one that would be 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the challenges and opportunities arising from the information revolution and its impact on economic growth, democratization, and international relations. It highlights the need for sustainable economic growth, social justice, and environmental preservation, and emphasizes the importance of supporting developing countries in their transition to a market economy. The text also touches on the need to address global challenges such as hunger, epidemics, and environmental preservation.

**Category**
Economic development, International trade, Humanitarian aid and relief