dimension in other world conferences, particularly the World Conference on Human Rights, the International Conference on Population and Development and the World Summit for Social Development, should be highlighted as preparations for the Conference. 6. Regarding preparations at the national level, many representatives reported on the establishment of national committees or focal points as part of the preparations for the Conference, most of which consisted of governmental and non-governmental representatives. A few representatives presented reports on national preparatory activities. A few representatives acknowledged the preparations of the host country, which reported on its activities in disseminating information and mobilizing the country. One representative reported that the preparatory process was being used as a vehicle to achieve the implementation of the Forward-looking Strategies. 7. Several reports were given on regional and subregional preparatory activities. While some representatives regretted that no decision had been made concerning a European regional preparatory conference, others reported on plans within the Economic Commission for Europe to hold such a conference in 1994, the main themes of which should be women’s role in the economy, in particular in countries in transition, compatibility between employment and family responsibilities, and empowerment of women in society. Many international organizations reported on their preparatory activities and a few mentioned financial restrictions. 8. Many representatives stressed the importance of widespread and diversified media coverage throughout the preparatory process, as well as during the Conference. Others stated that information and publication services in all languages of the United Nations should be reinforced. Some representatives noted the importance of the access of the media to the Conference and to the parallel NGO Forum. 9. Many representatives noted that the decision of the Commission in its resolution 36/8 regarding the participation of non-governmental organizations in the Conference might have been overtaken by events. Referring to the precedent set by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and also to the arrangements being made for the World Conference on Human Rights, the International Conference on Population and Development and the United Nations conference on human settlements (Habitat II), the representatives questioned whether the Commission should not reopen the issue in order to allow for a broader representation of the world’s women at the Conference. Many stressed the importance of non-governmental organizations in the dissemination of information and their influence at the community level. The importance of the need for close proximity between the NGO Forum and the Conference, as well as the hope that many women’s organizations would participate in the Forum, was expressed by a few representatives. Platform for Action 10. Many representatives stressed the crucial importance of the Platform for Action as the main document to emerge from the Conference in 1995. They stressed further that the Platform should be easily accessible to every woman and man and serve as practical guidelines for action for the implementation of the Forward-looking Strategies to the year 2000. 11. Several representatives emphasized the need to take global common issues and problems into account in the Platform, such as sustainable development, poverty, famine, environmental concerns, equality, peace, violence against women, health and illiteracy. Many representatives underlined the important -80-