Discrimination against Women, the outcome of the 1985 Nairobi Conference and the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women were major steps on the path towards equality. She also emphasized the importance of the Commission on the Status of Women, with its aim of bringing women closer to the decision-making process in all societies. As women moved more into public life, a greater emphasis on the human rights of minorities, partnership and different styles of leadership had emerged. The empowerment of women could contribute to the resolution of disputes through conciliation, consensus and the development of a peaceful civil order. She emphasized the importance of education, technology, job opportunities and the elimination of violence. One sign of visible change and social evolution was the performance by women in new roles in society as equal partners with men. Partnership and sharing were gradually replacing the old stereotypes that had prevented women from taking on leadership tasks. The Conference should further empower women everywhere to take advantage of all the resources at their disposal. She expressed confidence that the Platform for Action would further advance the gains in equality already achieved and would make a major contribution to the advancement of women. 4. In view of the limited time left before the Conference, many representatives stressed the importance of accelerating the pace of the preparations, increasing efficiency and determining what remained to be done to ensure success. One representative mentioned the great demand for information about the Conference and urged the Department of Public Information to produce material for dissemination. Another proposed maintaining the original motto and logo of the World Conference of the International Women’s Year, held at Mexico City in 1975, to facilitate rapid identification. 5. Many representatives stressed the importance of the Conference as a means of giving momentum to the issue of the advancement of women and of revitalizing the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies. A few representatives noted that those goals were of particular importance in the light of the changes occurring in the world and the difficulties being faced in social, economic and political arenas. 6. Several representatives indicated that the Conference must be considered not as an isolated event but rather as one in concert with other major international events, particularly the World Conference on Human Rights, the forthcoming International Conference on Population and Development, and the World Summit for Social Development. One representative stressed the importance of incorporating the gender perspective if the General Assembly was to adopt an agenda for development. 7. Several representatives welcomed the appointment by the Secretary-General of the High-level Advisory Group of eminent persons with world-wide experience to follow the preparations for the Conference. One representative welcomed the preliminary version of the updated World Survey on the Role of Women in Development, the draft rules of procedure for the Conference, which followed precedents established by other international events, and the decisions taken on the participation of observers and non-governmental organizations. 8. Regarding preparations at the national level, many representatives reported on the establishment of national committees or focal points, most of which consisted of governmental and non-governmental representatives. In one country, the committee was established through a broad election process. Several representatives acknowledged the preparations being undertaken by the host country, which reported on its activities in disseminating information and mobilizing the country. Preparations at the national level included information -84-