Parliamentarians’ Cooperation
in Crisis Situation
21st Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Tsunami & Reproductive Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The 21st Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 29-30, 2005. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairman of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) gave the opening remarks of the conference. H.E. Mrs. Men Sam An, MP Cambodia and Chairperson of the Cambodian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (CAPPD) gave the welcome address. Key speakers of the meeting included Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA, and Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director, IPPF ESEAOR, Mr. Shin Sakurai, Former Chairman of AFPPD, and Ms. Bettina Maas, UNFPA Representative in Cambodia.
Need to Minimise Damage
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan, Chairman AFPPD
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairman of AFPPD spoke on peace, democracy, and the role of parliamentarians in social and economic recovery. The world today faces crisis to livelihoods in forms of health emergencies, natural disasters, and continued conflicts.
Mr. Yatsu highlighted the importance in concerting efforts towards health crisis such as HIV/AIDS which has affected more than 20 million lives worldwide. He also emphasised the need to expend resources and energy for minimizing damage and for recovery from natural disasters like the Asian Tsunami Disaster of December 2004. Mr. Yatsu mentioned that AFPPD is committed to encourage policy and action for such emergencies.
APDA Annual Conference
Vulnerabilty Factors to Social and Economic Recovery
Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA
Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA spoke about the various factors causing vulnerability in social and economic recovery. These include:
Reproductive and Health Care Services : Data shows that more women than men died in the tsunami. In Aceh alone, surviving males outnumbered females by four to one. Findings were similar in India and Sri Lanka. UNFPA moved rapidly to protect maternal health. There was an estimated of 150,000 pregnant women in the affected areas in Indonesia and Sri Lanka . Health systems were destroyed, putting the lives of mothers and babies at risk. UNFPA supported to restore reproductive health care services, including family planning and HIV prevention, and provided support to address sexual and gender based violence. Ms. Henkin said that the roles and responsibilities of men and women in reproductive health care services and for social and economic recovery must be considered.
Funding: Ms. Henkin pointed out that funding for all emergencies is urgently needed. Media plays a vital role in order to raise funds for all emergencies therefore media attention needs to be directed to forgotten emergencies. Ms. Henkin said that in countries such as Sudan, Chad, the Central Africa Republic, Guinea, and Afghanistan, millions of people are dying but their predicament are not publicised on media, thus the inflow of funds have been minimal for the needs of these regions.
Sexual Violence: Ms. Henkin mentioned that the impact of violence, especially rape, can be devastating. Physical consequences may include injuries, unwanted pregnancies, sexual dysfunction, and HIV/AIDS. Damage to mental health may include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and suicide. For both prevention and treatment, UNFPA works with UN and NGO partners to coordinate relief efforts across sectors, with staff involved in protection, security, and community and health services.
Internally Displaced Persons: Ms. Henkin stated that the growing number of internally displaced persons by violence and war are not protected. Ms. Henkin urged all the Ministers and parliamentarians to accept the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement prepared by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General as the basic international norm for protection of such persons, and to promote the adoption of these principles through national legislation.
Ms. Henkin concluded her speech, stressing that the support for reproductive health is especially important this year as nations gather in September in New York to review the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals. Ministers and parliamentarians who are interested in population and development issues have a critical role to play. Ensuring universal access to reproductive health is central to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is therefore important that this key goal of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development be reflected in national statements.
Parliamentarians’ Role in Times of Disaster
Sen. Shin Sakurai, Former Chairman, AFPPD
Mr. Shin Sakurai, Former Chairman, AFPPD spoke on various international issues related to development in the 21st century such as disasters, conflicts, population, and international cooperation. Mr. Sakuri, highlighted that with all the mounting pressure of population and its related issues what role can parliamentarians play.
Dr. Osamu Kunii, Professor of Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Japan, presented a paper on population issues in Emergency-Problems, Tasks, and Countermeasures. Dr. Kunii, spoke on different kinds of disasters such as natural disasters, environmental disasters, technological disasters, conflict or complex humanitarian emergencies which have created obstacles to development in Asia and Africa.
Similarly, Dr. Ouk Vong Vanity, Executive Director, Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia, spoke on emergency reproductive health needs of refugees, internally displaced populations and other populations affected by crisis.
Weak Public Systems Hinder Crisis Recovery
Ms. Betinna Maas, UNFPA Representative, Cambodia
Ms. Betinna Maas, Represenatative of UNFPA Cambodia presented a paper on population and public health in emergency situations. Ms. Maas highlighted the acute emergency issues of public health, conflicts, natural disasters, and environmental degradation. There are 90% of victims of natural disasters in developing countries and added to that there is a slow progress in combating the emergencies of HIV/AIDS, maternity and child mortality. Weak public health systems further erode and limit capacity to address additional challenges. She said, the lack of limited skilled personnel, infrastructure, referral systems, control programmes, and access are obstacles to recovery and development.
For all these emergencies timely deployments of trained personnel and speedy provision of basic needs are needed. This can be achieved through proper mobilization, coordination, and financial accountability systems. Furthermore, Ms. Maas said that transition, reconstruction and development can be achieved by providing access with focus on the poor and vulnerable groups, health care systems, and external resources.
IPPF Provides Emergency Reproductive Health Services
Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director, IPPF ESEAOR
The closing ceremony was addressed by Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director, IPPF ESEAOR. Dr. Karim highlighted IPPF activities and its philosophies to support and build the capacity of national family planning associations so that they in turn will be able to provide quality and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services to the population.
The main objective of IPPF is to focus on population groups who are poor, marginalized, underserved and vulnerable, and their target groups are women, children, adolescents and young people. IPPF works with communities and try to fill these unmet needs together with our partners, especially UNFPA and the community.
AFPPD Executive Committee Meeting
The 55th AFPPD Executive Committee Meeting:
AFPPD to Work for Afro-Asian Parliamentarians Cooperation;
Person to Person Programme to be Extended
The 55th Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 28th 2005 under the chairmanship of Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP, Japan. Other members present included Vice-chairpersons Dr. Guowei Sang, MP China, Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP India, Sen. Beksultan S. Tutkushev, Senator Kazakhstan, Mme. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu, MP Vietnam, Secretary General of AFPPD, Sen. Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Deputy Secretary General Rep. J. R. Nerus O. Acosta, Treasurer Hon. Dato’ Rohina Karim, MP Malaysia and Chairof the Standing Committee on Women Ms. Kelly Hoare, MP Australia. Special invitees for the meeting included Ms. Imelda Henkin. Ms. Harumi Kadoma of UNFPA and Dr. Raj Karim of IPPD were also present at the meeting.
Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director, AFPPD presented the follow up actions taken on the decision made by 54th Executive Committee Meeting of AFPPD. It was noted that the number of activities undertaken had increased as compared to previous years. Many of these activities concentrated on ICPD at 10. The report of AFPPD activities for 2004 was also presented to the Executive Committee. In 2004, apart from organizing regional events, AFPPD also received three parliamentarian study groups and supported 10 country level programmes. It was also informed that AFPPD’s recognition has increased at the regional and global level. AFPPD leadership has been invited to attend and address various conferences around the world. The committee also approved the strategy to incorperate reproductive and sexual health in the Millenium Development Goals and the role parliamentarians can play. Other various points were discussed such as Afro-Asian Cooperation, IPCI Bangkok 2006, IFAD Proposal, UNEP Green Parliamentarians Programme, GIFU Parliamentarians Conference on Renewable Energy, IEPFPD Tibilisi Conference Report and National Programme Support.
Upcoming AFPPD Activities...
- Asian Women Parliamentarians Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 2-3, 2005
- General Assembly of AFPPD, Jakarta, Indonesia, November 2005
- Asia-Pacific Reproductive and Sexual Health Conference (AFPPD Panel of Parliamentarians),
Kuala Lumpur, November 17-21, 2005
- Second Focus Group on HIV/AIDS, November 2005
IMPO Europe Meeting
European Medical Parliamentarians Meet on Health Issues
On 31st March and 1st April 2005, parliamentarians with medical background from 11 European countries met in Dublin, Ireland for the European Chapter of the International Medical Parliamentarians Organisation Meeting. This meeting organised with financial contribution from the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development and the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development brought together leading parliamentarians with medical background from European countries to meet in the Irish Senate and discuss with experts from UN agencies such as UNFPA, WHO and non-governmental organizations on issues and challenges that world is facing today, including global health in general, and more specifically, the fight against malaria, experiences related to ban of smoking at workplaces, infertility, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and HIV/AIDS.
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairman of AFPPD addressed the meeting citing alarming data of health concerns in the developing world. 98 percent of 3.43 million preventable deaths are caused by poor reproductive health. In developing countries 1 in 2125 women are at a risk of dying due to pregnancy complications but this risk is 33 times higher at 1 in 65 for women in developing countries. 70 percent of all new infections and in the year 2000 were women and out of 80 percent of the deaths, women account for 55 percent of them. Mr. Yatsu called for good healthcare system and financial support in order to adress these growing health crisis.
The IMPO parliamentarians committed support as an organization to guide politicians and parliaments towards more up to date and applicable legislation. Policy-making should not be left in the hands of ministries and governments alone. They beleived that medical language, as the most international means of communication regarding humanitarian issues, can assist peace and sustainable development of the planet, and that IMPO as an organization should be strengthened and deserves the economic support of parliaments and governments.
In relation to SRH and HIV/AIDS, the parliamentarians resolved to explore the potential for a Pan-European initiative and campaign on HIV/AIDS noting that there has not been such a campaign in many years. They committed themselves to strive to allocate a greater percentage of national funding to sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS in national health budgets, to increase allocations to overall health budget and, where ever applicable, reeduce reliance on external donor funding for sexual and reproductive health programmes. Parliamentarians regretted the restrictions on SRH services imposed by the current US administration and called on European governments to take concrete measures to offset the loss of funding. They also encouraged discussions on the link between the availability of legal and safe abortion and the incidence of maternal mortality, particularly in countries where there persists a high incidence of maternal deaths. They also encouraged cooperation among countries on the issue of trafficking for sexual exploitation, including men’s responsibility in purchasing sexual services from women who are exploited.
Thai Senate Felicitates Dr. Anwarul Chowdhury
Dr. Anwarul Chowdhury, Under Secretary General of UN visited Bangkok to address the UNESCAP Conference and the Conference of Least Developed Countries in Asia.
Mr. Chowdhury, as the Ambassador of Bangladesh, was the chair of ICPD Review in the Hague.
AFPPD has a long standing relationship with him. AFPPD organised a lunch to felicitate Mr. Chowdhury at the Senate of Thailand, hosted by the Senate President, Mr. Suchon Chaleekure and attended by a large number of Lower House and Upper House members, and UN Officials.
Mr. Chowdhury spoke on the situation of landlocked countries and least developed countries. He highlighted that LDCs can be benefited from the assistance of International NGOs, including their advocacy in support of strengthening global governance. The support of national NGOs will be very much needed to achieve the MDGs within each country, he said.
APA Annual Conference and Meeting
“Collective Responsibilty Fosters Enabling Environment for MDG”
Dr. Kim Hak Su, Executive Secretary, UNESCAP
Asia-Pacific Alliance on ICPD Pledge to Reinforce RH in MDGs
The annual meeting and conference of the Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) was held in Bangkok from April 25-28, 2005. The meeting discussed “Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and the MDGs: Issues for Health and Development” as a follow up to ICPD at 10 and the Millenium Development Goals. The meeting brought together officials from the UN, civil socities,parliamentarians, and donor agencies with the objective to decide how APA can best assist in implementing the UN Millennium Project 2005, to inform participants and build civil society capacity, to raise awareness of APA as a leader and possible partner with stake holders working to implement the Cairo Agenda, UNGASS on HIV/AIDS and the MDGs.The meeting was co-organised by AFPPD.
Around 60 delegates attended the conference including UN agencies, financial institutions, foundations, parliamentarians, academics, and environment, population, development, reproductive health and women’s NGOs from the seven countries that make up the NGO membership of APA - Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US. The opening remarks for the APA conference was given by Dr. Kim Hak Su, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP). He reminded the delegates about vital health issues including reproductive and sexual health and HIV/AIDS, which affects the lives of people in Asia and the Pacific. Over 9 million people are infected with HIV/AIDS in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Dr. Kim Hak Su, the resource issue is central to outcomes that would be determined at this critical juncture of the AIDS pandemic. National plans have been developed and national resources have been mobilized. However, the challenges posed by HIV/AIDS requires much more effort than the total outcome at present.Dr Kim Hak Su reminded delegates of the critical relevance of the conference theme to the four billion people of the Asia Pacific region, including its 700 million young people. He noted that the epicentre of the AIDS pandemic is shifting to the Asia Pacific region, where nine million people now live with HIV/AIDS, and two people become infected with HIV every minute. “We have a collective responsibility to foster an enabling environment for those who are especially vulnerable,” he said.“The members of APA play an exemplary role, including advocating action to bridge existing gaps in the region’s achievement of the MDGs”.
Dr. Rosalia Sciortino, Director, Southeast Asia Regional Program, The Rockefeller Foundation, presented on “Resourcing the MDGs.” Ms. Sono Aibe chaired the session. Dr. Sciortino highlighted the contribution of MDGs on sexual and reproductive health and she said that if foundations set the agenda, promote public discussion, foster research, and encourage technological development they can play an effective role in achieving the MDGs related to SRH. “MDGs can be achieved through multipule tracks”
Mr. Stan Bernstein, Policy Adviser for the Millennium Project
Mr. Stan Bernstein, Policy Adviser for the Millennium Project spoke on ‘Millennium Project’. Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD, chaired this session. In his speech, Mr. Bernstein highlighted the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals which is to reduce poverty and mortality, fight disease and hunger, get girls and boys in school, empower women and give more people access to safe water and Mr. Bernstein added that African countries need to make the most progress if they are to meet these goals.Furthermore Mr. Bernstein highlighted the recommendations for SRH in UN Millennium Project reports, which includes SRH target and SRH indicators. He concluded his presentation by showing the multiple tracks to achieve the MDG targets. “EURONGOs to Mobilize Resources for SRHR”
Mr. Franz Baneke, EURONGOs
Franz Baneke talked about the main activities of EURONGOs, which is to advocate the inclusion of SRHR in national and international policies and overseas development aid and to mobilize resources for SRHR. Further Mr. Baneke highlighted that EURONGOs is engaging with other networks and groups and planning to achieve 10% of ODA and SRHR targets for MDGs by 2005-2006.
“Reduce Social Conflict by Promoting Job Growth and Improving Women’s Status”,
Ms. Terri Barlet
Ms. Terri Barlett, PAI presented on ‘The Security Demographic: Population and Civil Conflict after the Cold War’. The session was chaired by Sue Kelly. Ms. Barlett spoke on the increasing rate of human fertility from 2000 till 2005 and its consequences to society such as high proportions of young adults, rapid urban population growth, and diminishing supplies of cropland and fresh water. Ms. Barlett said emerging problems of increasing population and the civil conflicts can be mitigated by promoting job growth and training for young adults and promote demographic transition and finally work harder to improve women’s status.
Ms. Summie Ishii, JOICEP and Michiko Takahashi, OISCA presented on Advocacy Challenges in Japan. They highlighted the Advocacy achievements and challenges in Japan. They concluded their presentation by addressing the advocacy actions towards MDGs+5 Review.
“Strengthening Political and Civil Society will reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS”
Mr. Tony Bates, UNAIDS
Mr. Tony Bates, UNAIDS, presented a paper on “The Asia Pacific Leadership Forum on HIV/AIDS and Development” this session was chaired by Elmer Lighid. During his presentation he gave a brief introduction of APLF and its goal is to support and strengthen political and civil society leadership to take action to reduce the spread and impact of HIV/AIDS in Asia Pacific region. Furthermore Mr. Bates gave examples of country experinces, and the impacts and outsomes, where APLF projects are taking place. Ms. Jennifer Kitts, ACPD spoke on “Advocacy for ICPD.” Ms. Sumie Ishii chaired the session. Ms. Kitts gave some highlights and challenges for Canadian NGO’s. ACPD hosts and manages the list serve for the international sexual and reproductive rights coalition, comprised of 138 members on the list serve, representing 71 NGOs and institution in the 34 countries. Furthermore she highlighted the objectives of ACPD and mission of Canadian Society for International Health, a national voluntary organization which facilitates and supports health and development activities around the world through mobilization of resources. Ms. Kitts ended her presentation by highlighting the challenges that Canadian NGO’s face in increasing networks with environmental groups and funding sources .
Ms. Gayle H. Martin, Senior Economist, Futures Group spoke on “HIV/AIDS and its links between MDGs and Sexual and Reproductive Health” in Asia and the Pacific. In her speech she emphasized on three key issues which are, the unique AIDS challenges in Asia and the Pacific; how will AIDS make it harder to achieve the MDG targets and the synergies between achieving MDG#6 and reproductive health goals. Ms. Martin concluded her presentation by addressing the delegates that investment in health system capacity can directly improve both HIV/AIDS and SRH objective.
Ms. Claire Slatter of DAWN, Fiji and Ms. Lucita Lazo of UNIFEM, ESEA presented papers on Human Rights, Gender and the MDGs, Jonquil Brooks chaired this session. Ms. Lazo presented on the MDGs and its vision of advancing human rights, women’s rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Ms. Lazo concluded her presentation by highlighted that there is much to be gained by approaching CEDAW, BPFA and MDGs as a mutually supporting processes. UN Population Commission
Fight Against HIV/AIDS and Poverty Needs Political Will
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan, Chairman AFPPD at the UN Population Commission
Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairman of AFPPD addressed the UN Commission on Population and Development: with the emphasis on “Population and Development and HIV/AIDS” at the United Nations from April 4-8, 2005. Mr. Yatsu highlighted that the countries in Asia Pacific and Central Asia region have made significant progress in implementing the ICPD recommendations and suggested that other ways of implementing the ICPD PoA, is to modify existing population policies. He introduced AFPPD’s activities and specially emphasized the importance of involving parliamentarians in population and development to enhance political will. He mentioned that AFPPD recognizes the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly the goals of eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, HIV/AIDS, and maternal and child health, and that these goals cannot be achieved if questions of population and reproductive health are not addressed.
According to Mr. Yatsu, the challenges of population growth and HIV/AIDS fight against poverty, and implementation of MDGs and ICPD needs political will. This is possible with the involvement of parliamentarians, political leaders, and elected leaders at the grass roots level. The other sector where AFPPD has devoted considerable efforts is to empower elected women leaders and parliamentarians and provide them with platform and opportunity to evolve a dedicated cadre of elected leaders from grassroots to national level with measurable results in shape of expressed his gratitude for the supportbetter resources allocation for ODA, and new and revised legislation. Mr. Yatsu, also mentioned about the establishment of Japan Trust Fund to support parliamentarians’ activities worldwide.
Miscellaneous
AFPPD Luncheon at the UN
AFPPD hosted a luncheon at the UN Delegates Dinning room on April 6, 2005, which was attended by 30 high level officials from the UN and other civil society organisations. H.E. Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Japan to UN, Mr. Jiro Okuyama Deputy Consul General of Consulate of Japan, and officials from international non-governmental organisations and parliamenatry groups were amongst the invitees. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairm and AFPPD spoke at the luncheon. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Mr. Shiv Khare, and Ms. Miho Yamazaki also met with Dr. Thoraya A. Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA and discussed about the activities of AFPPD.
Round Table on Gender and Economy in Kazakhstan
About 90 Parliamentarians and others took part in the International Conference on Strengthening Sub-regional Economic Cooperation on Central Asia and the Future Role on the UN Special Programme for the Economies of Central Asia (SPECA) in Astana, Kazakstan on May 25-27, 2005. Senior officials from the UN, state ministrries, womens associations, representatives of civil societies and business associations met to discuss (I) Priority actions in promoting gender equality in economies of SPECA members; (ii) Support to women’s self-employment and entrepreneurship and (iii) Sub-regional cooperation within the SPECA region and international support programmes. AFPPD Vice Chairman and MP Kazakhstan, Sen. Beksultan Tutkushev also addressed the conferece.
The round table was chaired by Ms.Aitkul Samakova, Minister of Environment Protection and Head of the National Commission on Women and Family Affairs of Kazakhstan. It was opened by Ms. Brigita Schmognerova, Executive Secretary of the UNECE, Mr Kim Hak Su, Executive Secretary of the UNESCAP and Ms. Yuriko Shoji, Resident Representative of the UN in Kazakhstan.The participants stressed the importance of progress in gender and economy in Azerbaijan and all countries in Central Asia in the context of implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW and the Millennium Declaration Goals. They also recalled conclusions of the 10-year review of the Beijing process for UNECE and UNESCAP regions (Geneva, 14-15 December 2004 and Bangkhok, September 2004) and the 49th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (New York, March 2005), which adopted the resolution on women’s economic advancement.
Advocacy Challenges for Population and Development and RSH
IPPF, London, April 20-21, 2005
IPPF organized a meeting of interested groups in London on 20-21 April 2005, to discuss, plan, and formulate a strategy for the population RSH advocacy in changing political scenario.
AFPPD was invited to be a part of this group and presented a paper on Advocacy Challenges in Asia-Pacific and Central Asia about basic elements of advocacy and ICPD, MDGs, and Advocacy with ground realities in Asia and the Pacific.
AFPPD at Ministerial Meeting on Children and Political Challenges Faced in the Region
The 7th East Asain and Pacific Ministerial Consulatation on Children meeting was held in Siem Reap, Cambodia from March 23-March 25, 2005. The objective of the meeting was to discuss partnerships for children and the regional focus on children. Thematic areas of discussion included child survival, growth, and development.
Ms. Carol Bellamy, Executive Director, UNICEF gave the opening remarks to this high-level conference. The inaugural address was delivered by H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia. H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Minister of Social Affairs, and Youth Rehabilitation gave the welcome speech.
Sen. Virapong Skolkitivat, Senator, Thailand representated AFPPD at this conference along with other members of the Thai delegation including H.E. Anand Panyarachun, Former Prime Minister of Thailand.
Dr. Nouradin Pirmozen at the World Health Assembly
Dr. Noradin Pirmoazen, IMPO chief coordinator in Iran attended the 58th session of World Health Assembly on behalf of IMPO. The Assembly was held from 16-25 May in Geneva Switzerland. In the assembly, Dr Pirmoazen made a statement under the agenda item of “Achievement of health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)”.
He stressed that reproductive health has to be highlighted in MDGs to be able to draw more international attention and financial resources. He also explained in his statement that the main area where parliamentarians can work in development is legislation, budget allocation, and monitoring of related activities as well as of implementation of legislation and development programme.
He concluded urging each individual in the international community to bring each other’s expertise together to tackle the enormous challenges in front of us and he himself as medical parliamentarian, promised to work in the creation of political will and provision of leadership for betterment of the world with emphasis on health related development including reproductive health.
Dr. Nouradin is the member of parliament in Iran who moved the legislation to livberalise abortion and the same was approved but was not accepted by the Guardian Council.
Widening Human Choices Key to Development
Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India Releases Parliamentarians
“Advocacy Briefing Kit” of IAPPD
The Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh released the “Advocacy Briefing Kit” prepared by the Indian Association of parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD). Also present at the occasion were Union Health Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, Union health Minister, Mrs. Panbaka Lakshmi, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. P.J. Kurien, MP Vice Chairman of IAPPD and Dr. Jagannath Manda, MP and Vice Chairman, IAPPD along with other parliamentarians.
In releasing the Advocacy Briefing Kit, the Prime Minister said that through awareness and education, especially amongst women, people may be encouraged to make sensible reproductive choices. Any policy in this regard should aim to empower people, especially women to take charge of their own destiny. “Development is ultimately about people, it is about widening human choices, and giving them control of their lives” he added. He also said that any element of coercion should be avoided from the policies aimed at population control. Describing population isses as a human development problem, the Prime Minister emphasised the need to create an environment where basic indicators of community health are string and infant mortallity rate is under control.
Union Helath Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramdoss, who received the Kit from the Prime Minister, said that education and awareness form the cornerstone of population control policies. “With proper awareness and educatuion, health budget could be substantially reduced and resources could be utilised in a better way” Dr. Ramdoss added.The welcome address was given by Prof. P.J. Kurien, MP India and Dr. Jagmohan Manda, MP India delivered the vote of thanks.
The Advocacy Briefing Kit titled “Breifing Kit for Elected Representatives from Parliament to Panchayat on Population and Development is produced by the Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD), with support of the MInistry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The themes of the kit include population and development, national population and health policy, national rural health mission, repreoductive and child health programme, women empowerment and gender concerns, constitutional and legal rights of women, ICPD and MDGs. Concerns include maternal health, maternal morbidity, infant and child halth, missing girls, adolescence, HIV/AIDS, violence agaisnst women, ageing population, and the role of elected representatives.
Parliamentarians at 61st UNESCAP Session
The UNESCAP’s 61st Session was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 12th to 18th May 2005 at the United Nations Conference Center. The session focused on “Implementing the Monetary Consensus in the Asia and Pacific region: Achieving Coherence and Consistency”. Ministers and senior officials from 62 member and associate member countries and territories of UNESCAP participated.
Senator Beksultan Tutkushev from Kazakhstan and Dr Cecep Rukmana R. from Indonesia representated AFPPD. They also met a large number of delegates to give empahsis on economic development and population issues.
Parliamentarians Strengthen Cooperation to Contain and Prevent Bird Flu Epidemic
The ASEAN Parliamentarians’ Seminar on the Spread of Avian Influenza hosted by the Senate Standing Committee on Public Health, Senate of Thailand inBangkok, Thailand was an opportunity for parliamentarians and delagates from international organizations, the private and public sector, political bodies, and academics to discuss policies for the containment and prevention of the Bird Flu epidemic. The main objectives of this seminar was to strengthen the cooperation among parliamentarians in the Asian region for the exchange of opinions, experiences, information for long term cooperation and coordination for effective solutions to the epidemic. H.E. Mr. Suchon Chaleekure, President of the Senate of Thailand gave the opening address of the seminar. He proposed that the result of the discussions will be proposed to the government and concerned agencies for further effective and long-term implementation for the containem,nt and prevention of the epidemic. The AFPPD representative Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit was the chair of the organizing committee.
Visitors to AFPPD, April-May 2005
In the months of April-May 2005 , several high-level officials visited AFPPD office in Bangkok.
- Mr. Satish Mehra, APD, UNFPA visited AFPPD while in Bangkok for the Cluster Meeting of UNFPA and had discussion on AFPPD progammes.
- Mr. Shin Sakurai, Former Chair, AFPPD and Senator was also in Bangkok for a meeting with Prof. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, Honorary Secretary General, IMPO and for a study tour of the Tsunami affected regions.
- Mr. Michio Ozaki, Executive Director, APDA visited AFPPD in May to discuss future collaborations.
- Mr. Jean Christophe Bas, Development Policy Dialouge Manager, World Bank visited AFPPD and had discussions about future cooperation.
- Mr. Hirofumi Ando, Professor of NIHON University, visted AFPPD while on a study tour in Bangkok.
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