social and economic programmes at the national level -which took into account ; ... A/C.3/39/SR.l9 English Page 3 (Mr. Yolah) endogenous capabilities and initiatives. Nations could thus stem the alienation of national culture that often resulted from policies based on dependent models of development, which had for so many years hindered the achievement of stated national goals. 4. At the international level there was a need for a concerted effort to develop an integrated approach to development which could foster national self-reliance and individual initiative, by pursuing a balanced approach to population, resources, environment and development and ensuring that the developing countries achieved a significant improvement in their living standards through economic and social transformation based on human dignity and social justice. The solution of problems of employment or education and strategies to improve the status of women, for example, were mutually reinforcing because they were all aimed at eliminating social disparity. By the same token, setbacks in one sector were bound to have repercussions for the other sectors. As had been underlined by the International Conference on Population held in August 1984 in Mexico City, the formulation of national population goals must always be considered as a constituent element of socio-economic development policies, involving, inter alia, the improvement of health, the integration of rural and urban development strategies and the need to address the problems of migrants, refugees and women. 5. In Africa, the combined effect of adverse climatic conditions, invasions and internal strife, coupled with demographic expansion, weak and overtaxed internal structures and a deflationary international economy, had exacted a heavy human toll, with drastic increases in hunger and malnutrition-related diseases as well as a deterioration in social services. 6. The situation in Africa was unlikely to be resolved in two or three years on 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the broader context of economic development and its interconnections with social and cultural issues, as well as the challenges faced by developing countries, particularly in Africa. The emphasis on national self-reliance, human dignity, and social justice suggests that the text is concerned with the well-being of individuals and communities, rather than specific sectors like industry or agriculture.

**Category**
Economic development, Education, Health, Humanitarian aid and relief, Culture