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Highlights

• The 5th International Conference of Medical Parliamentarians in Bangkok

• Vicious Circle of Poor Health and Poverty

• IMPO Conference Bangkok

• Millennium Declaration Fails to Incorporate All ICPD Goals

• Parliamentarians Must Get the Message Out that Injecting Drug Use and HIV are Linked

• Good Results from Hewlett-Supported PPAP Programme

• IMPO Off to a Fresh Start

• APDA Meeting Vietnam

• Climatic Change Evokes Serious Constraints on Sustainable Development

• AFPPD Executive Committee

• AFPPD and World Bank to Cooperate Closely

• Interview with  Dr. Sang Guowei MP China

• Ms. Imelda Henkin Honoured

• Proposed AFPPD Events in Year 2004

• Photo Gallery

Bangkok - On the 6th and the 7th of December, AFPPD organised the 5th International Medical Parliamentarians Conference on Family Health in cooperation with the International Medical Parliamentarians Organisation (IMPO) and UNFPA.Specifically convened for parliamentarians with a medical or nursing background, the conference aimed to highlight family health issues as well as define the linkages between reproductive health, women’s health, HIV/AIDS, mental health, substance abuse and ageing. One hundred and fifty three participants attended the conference, ninety-one of whom were medical parliamentarians from Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the CIS countries. Also participating were high-level officers and representatives from UNFPA, WHO, World Bank, UNODC, Population 2005, IAVI, UNFPA/CST, IAPG, ESCAP among others. Additionally, an important event during the conference was the conducting of the International Medical Parliamentarians Organisation’s General Assembly, in which new office bearers for IMPO were elected.

Medical Parliamentarians Excellent Advocates for Health Legislation

H.E. Uthai Pimjaichon, the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly of Thailand reiterated just how important the participation of medical parliamentarians is for the advancement of the health sector. He explained that medical parliamentarians can push health to the centre-stage of development through political support at all levels. They can encourage their governments to play a larger role in the delivery of health care services, especially with regard to good governance, coordination among multi and bilateral donors, and in ensuring more systematic private sector investment and better-planned private sector involvement in health care. They can also ensure maintenance of a pro-poor focus in health care delivery to respond to the diseases of the poor, as well as advocate for equitable distribution and proper management of resources for health care. Conclusively, medical parliamentarians make excellent advocates for health-related laws, are best suited to the monitoring of these laws, and they can act as guides in ensuring proper health services for all.

Vicious Circle of Poor Health and Poverty

Dr. Herrin concluded that health as an asset generates wealth, while ill health contributes to poverty; the poor are more exposed to health hazards and less able to cope with them than the rich; large household out-of-pocket payments for health care reduces consumption and can aggravate or lead to poverty; and government subsidies for health care are often captured by the rich rather than the poor. He urged participants to seriously consider and propose to their respective governments policies to invest in health, address social determinants of health, provide financial protection to the poor, and better target government subsidies.

"Public spending benefits the rich more than the poor, money fails to reach frontline service providers and sevice quality is low for poor people," informed Mr. Narueput. All this equates to a failure on the part of services to the poor. Citing examples, he said that in Bangladesh, absenteeism rates for doctors in primary health care centers is 74% and in Zimbabwe 13% of respondants participating in a survey gave as a reason for not delivering babies in public facilities that ‘nurses hit mothers during delivery.’

Bettering the health of the poor can be tackled in various ways. First and foremost information should be more widely disseminated and service delivery arrangements should be tailored to country circumstances and service characteristics. If services are to work for the poor, then poor people must be empowered to monitor and discipline service providers as well as raise their voices in policy-making. Incentives for service providers must also be strengthened so they will be more inclined to better serve the poor.

Session two focused on the rapid shifts in population ageing and was addressed by Mr. Mohammed Nizamuddin, Senior Advisor on Ageing at UNFPA, and Mr. Ren Maodong MP China. Senator Joaquin Antonio Monasterios Pinckert, Bolivia, chaired the session.

IMPO Conference Bangkok

Ageing - a Growing Problem in Asia

Mr. Nizamuddin told participants that in both developing and developed countries, chronic diseases are a significant and costly cause of disability and reduced quality of life. The likelihood of experiencing serious cognitive and physical disabilities dramatically increase in very old age. The largest and most rapid increases will occur in Asia, Latin America and the Carribean. Most developing countries lack reliable data on the condition of older persons and many of these people enter old age in a poor state of health, resulting from life-long deprivations and low standards of living.

One of the leading challenges policy-makers are up against with regards to ageing is the limited access to health care and the cycle of poverty the elderly generation of the developing countries frequently find themselves in. Coping with the expanding number of older, dependent persons and the fact that traditional family and community-based care is being challenged by migration, urbanisation, nuclearisation of the family, and women’s employment outside the home are also evoking constraints for policy-makers.

Finally, Mr. Nizamuddin revealed how parliamentarians can address the ageing issue through advocacy and resource mobilisation by urging fellow parliamentarians to increase investment in the social and health sectors, calling upon donor governments to increase ODA as well as calling upon the UN system to establish institutional arrangements for ageing programmes. Parliamentarians can also assist by enforcing legislation and policy-change. For example they can implement social security systems and old age pensions, augment geriatric care, and re-examine retirement ages in light of increasing life expectancy.

Ageing Tackled Effectively in China

Mr. Ren Maodong MP China

‘Neglected Diseases’ a Burden in Developing Countries

Dr. Hiroyoshi Endo, WHO Geneva

"Communicable or neglected diseases present a major burden to poor populations," explained Dr. Endo. While the world predominantly focuses on diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, lesser known, communicable diseases are frequently overlooked. These diseases pose many problems for developing countries as they have devastating effects on poor and remote populations, interfere with work capacities resulting in stigmatisation and ostracism as well as cause disabilities and multiple functional limitations. Among a long list of diseases, trypanosomiasis, dengue, rabies and leishmanisais figure significantly as these are the ‘killers’ within neglected populations.

Dr. Endo then proceeded to cite various examples where effective strategies are in place to tackle communicable diseases. He concluded that while much progress has been made, there is a need for a new perspective on communicable diseases in the form of intensified control and the development of better strategies and tools.

Political Support for HIV Vaccine Crucial

Dr. Jean-Louis Excler, IAVI India

Speaking on HIV/AIDS and HIV/AIDS vaccine development, Dr. Excler listed the health and socioeconomic impacts HIV/AIDS has around the world. He stressed that the need for a vaccine is urgent as 14,000 HIV/AIDS infections occured every day in 2003 and the numbers are set to increase in the future. Awareness, education and classical means of public health prevention are not sufficient to stem the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Management, care and support of HIV-infected patients is also inadequate. Key strategies to tackling HIV/AIDS-related issues include mobilising political and financial commitment, building capacity of health services to deliver anti-retroviral treatment, community mobilisation, monitoring and evaluation.

Millennium Declaration Fails to Incorporate All ICPD Goals

In conclusion Mr. Singh said "as UNFPA has repeatedly pointed out, the need and the demand for commodities and services in the area of family planning and RH continue to grow, particularly in the poorest countries which can least afford to allocate the funds required. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the ICPD, governments, NGOs and the international community should refocus their attention on how international assistance can be substantially increased to accelerate the implementation of ICPD goals, particularly on RH."

Huge Population Putting Pressure on Water Resources

Hon. Suresh Prabhu MP India

Mr. Prabhu spoke extensively on the water situation in India. He felt that in comparison to most other developing countries, it could be said that India’s water resources management initiatives are generally more comprehensive than anywhere else. The problem, however, is that almost in every country there is a need for significant improvement. India’s needs are particularly severe due to its rapidly increasing water constraints, environmental problems, huge population regional inequalities in water availability, the poor federal administrative structure and rapid demographic and economic growth.

Water pollution from domestic and human waste water is most problematic and is the cause of many serious, water borne diseases. Water borne diseases are of immense public health importance in India because of the high morbidity and mortality. Potential for causing large and explosive epidemics, non-availability of specific treatment for some viral diseases and increasingly difficult treatment due to anti-microbial drug resistance.

Indian states are empowered to enact laws or frame policies related to water. However, only some states have set up organisations for planning and allocating water for various purposes. Market-based instruments to encourage resource conservation, mainly in the agricultural and domestic sector, have not really been tried. This, coupled with the subsidy regime in these sectors has resulted in poor resource usage. Mr. Prabhu urged participants to proactively tackle water issues in their respective countries.

Mental Health Disorders Frequently Considered Unimportant

Dr. Itzhak Levav, WHO Geneva

Dr. Levav presented some hard-hitting facts on mental health. He brought to light that 450 million people worldwide suffer from mental disorders, and 10 to 15% of the total adult population is affected by mental disorders. The negative effects of a mental disorder manifest in a variety of ways, including economic difficulties, emotional stress, disruption of normal household routine, restriction of social activities, poor physical health and the propagation of stigma and discrimination. Currently, 25% of countries worldwide have no legislation on mental health, and in countries where mental health legislation can be found, 25% of it was formulated over forty years ago, before most current treatment methods were available.

Turning to the role of legislators, Dr. Levav pointed out how they could best assist in the advancement of mental health-related legislation. Promoting mental health legislation and monitoring the implementation of health-related legislation and policies is essential, as is advocating for a mental health budget that is commensurate with the burden of mental disorders. It is also important to minimise discrimination against mental health patients and the optimal method of doing this would be through community education.

in closing, Dr. Levav stated that mental asylums where they exist, must be closed down and replaced with well-organised, community-based care and psychiatric beds in general hospitals. "The days of locking up people with mental or behavioural disorders in grim, prison-like psychiatric institutions must end," he said.

Parliamentarians Must Get the Message Out that Injecting Drug Use and HIV are Linked

Mr. Wayne Bazant, Demand Reduction Advisor, UNODC

Mr. Bazant provided an overall picture of global and regional trends in drug control as well as of drug use and HIV/transmission and case studies of harm reduction and good practices. He gave a detailed account of consumption trends for methamphetamines, opium, ecstasy (MDMA), and heroin in countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, China, the Philippines and gave examples of some of the methods these countries are utilising to tackle drug-related problems. He also highlighted the importance of addressing injecting drug use as this is a major mode of transmission for HIV/AIDS.

He said that parliamentarians could make a huge difference to the response to drug abuse-related HIV transmission. He suggested thst they engage in policy dialogue to ensure that the HIV/AIDS remains high on the agenda and support NGOs’ and other community-based organisations’ preventive and intervention programmes. Furthermore, parliamentarians can use their position of influence to oppose discrimination against drug dependent persons at risk or infected with HIV and disseminate information to their constituents about the connection between drug use and HIV/AIDS.

Empowerment and Education of Women Best Way to Promote Development

Ms. Mary Henry MP Ireland

Ms. Henry said that women’s health issues should not be separated from general health issues as women’s and men’s needs for good health are usually the same, but there are certain areas - and not just in the field of reproductive medicine - where the girl child and women may need additional attention and protection due to the social attitude in general towards women. She pointed out that the lack of women in senior health service positions and in politics also indicates that a lot of women-related problems go unaddressed.

Women face many obstacles when it comes to their health and cultural changes are hard to achieve, but promoting the position of the girl child and the woman through effective legislation can ensure their participation in education, thus increasing their value. Introducing legislation to improve women’s health without adequate resources is a lost cause. Ms. Henry cited a case in Ireland five years ago when breast screening was introduced to the country. However, lack of resources and staff resulted in only one third of Irish women being screened. She expounded that it is very important for parliamentarians to monitor the progress made and the effectiveness of any legislation protecting women’s health.

Medical Parliamentarians in a Unique Position to Advance Global Health

Health issues have a major impact on overall development and uniting parliamentarians who are also health professionals is an excellent initiative. Medical parliamentarians have a wealth of health-related knowledge and are also very familiar with the mechanics of policies, legislation and health programmes, putting them in the driving seat for the advancement of global health. They have the ability to monitor and astutely assess current health programmes and make changes for the better if needed. They can also use their position in society to influence others and distribute information on health, in particular on issues such as women’s health, HIV/AIDS and healthy living in general.

This session was followed by the adoption of the ‘Bangkok Statement’, in which parliamentarians pledged to dedicate themselves to the earliest possible implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as well as the earliest implementation of the ICPD goals, particularly those focusing on family planning and other reproductive health services. It was decided to ensure issues such as mental health, drug abuse, women’s health and ageing are kept on the agenda as well as to strengthen collaboration with AFPPD and other regional parliamentary groups and their national committees. It was also agreed to work in closer collaboration with UNFPA, the World Bank, WHO and other organisations interested in IMPO’s work.

The conference was closed with remarks from Prof. Prasop Ratanakorn MD, Secretary General of IMPO, and Senator Malinee Sukavejworakit MD, Secretary General of AFPPD. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director, AFPPD.

Good Results from Hewlett-Supported PPAP Programme

The Hewlett Foundation-funded Person-to-Person Advocacy Programme (PPAP), which is currently under implemetation in Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines recently underwent an evaluation with positive results.

Most remarkably is that, through PPAP, this is the first time any agency has been able to meet and discuss population and development issues on a face-to-face basis with 90% of all parliamentarians from these four countries.

Encouragingly, PPAP has brought about a new awakening among parliamentarians on the interrelationship of population with other development issues, with many of them admitting that they had not associated population growth with overall development at all until PPAP provided them with a new perspective.

Sea Change of Opinion in Malaysia

However Malaysian parliamentarians who have frequently taken the stance that population growth in their own country would be beneficial, have had a sea change in opinion and agree that current population size in Malaysia is ‘adequate’ and ‘does not need to be increased’ as Malaysia’s economic situation and future prospects are bright.

Future Plans to Extend PPAP’s Outreach

AFPPD plans to continue employing the PPAP approach, meeting with parliamentarians on a one-to-one basis, and will extend the programme to also reach out to state and local elected representatives.

The Hewlett Foundation has also agreed to support the second phase of PPAP.

IMPO Off to a Fresh Start

Special Legislative Session and Election of Office Bearers 2004

One of the highlights of the IMPO conference was the special legislative session. This important session commenced with a briefing on IMPO’s past works and activities, and its previous programmes were discussed.

As IMPO has recently been revived, it was deemed necessary to appoint new office bearers. An election was held and new bearers were elected. The election was followed by discussions of future programmes IMPO could implement as well as directions the organisation should take.

It was also decided to organise regional parliamentarians meetings with one planned to take place in Asia in 2004. The Latin American parliamentarians decided that they would reconstitute IMPO in Latin America, and Vietnam and Malaysia also informed that IMPO committees will be formed in their parliaments.

IMPO Office Bearers

UNFPA Planning Meeting in Bangkok

Asian Pacific country directors, senior programme officers, UNFPA/CST directors and UNFPA Asia Pacific Division officials convened in Bangkok from the 18th to the 21st of November to review UNFPA’s last four years of work, exchange views on programmes and achievements as well as plan the strategy for adoption in year 2004 and the next four year cycle. The meeting was headed by Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA and Mr. Shu Yun Xu, the Director of UNFPA’s Asia Pacific Divsion. The meeting was hosted by UNFPA/CST

APDA Meeting Vietnam

Asian Parliamentarians Discuss Looming Water Problem in Asia

The 19th Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development

Hopes High for Ho Chi Minh Declaration

The meeting was opened by Ms. Kayoko Shimizu MP Japan, Vice-Chair of APDA who was speaking on behalf of the Chairman of APDA, Dr. Taro Nakayama MP Japan, who was unable to attend. In her address, Ms. Shimizu stated that the close working relationship between Vietnam and APDA started ten years ago following the invitation of Vietnamese delegates to Japan to learn from Japan’s experiences with regards to population transition. She explained that over the past three years, APDA has focused a lot on water issues and the linkages with population and that at the end of the 19th APDA meeting, the Ho Chi Minh Declaration would be adopted - the fruit of three years discussion on water and population. She informed participants that the Ho Chi Minh Declaration would advocate a holistic approach to population and water, and that the actions therein would have very positive outcomes.

Precious Water Resources Dwindling

Hon. Truong Quang Duoc, the Vice President of the Vietnamese National Assembly, stressed the importance of conserving water because as precious resources continue to dwindle, the threat posed to sustainable development and improving quality of life is formidable. He noted that population is key to the sustainability of water resources, and as population continues to grow, so it becomes increasingly difficult for governments to designate adequate water to sate demands. He urged participants to take to heart the gravity of water issues and hoped that they would be encouraged to take action in their respective countries.

Water Linkages Often Overlooked

Mr Yoshio Yatsu MP Japan and Chair of AFPPD, in his opening speech said that high consumption of water is integral with our lifestyles of today and, more often than not, water is taken for granted. He reiterated that the water-related problems arising today are inextricably linked with unchecked population growth, and frequently this fact is overlooked by leaders, parliamentarians and in international fora. He said that if we are to have hopeful and happy societies, we must first resolve water and population issues.

Lack of Access to Potable Water in Asia

Mme. Nguyen Thi Hoai Thu MP Vietnam and Vice-Chair of AFPPD, explained that accessibility of potable water is a major problem in Asian countries. Additionally, rapidly spreading urbanisation and migration are adding to water-related obstacles in that there is more pressure on governments to build and develop suitable infrastructure to deliver more water in sufficient amounts to a rising number of people. She reminded parliamentarians of their important role in addressing water issues.

Parliamentarians Role Crucial to Addressing Water Issues

Mr. Shu Yun Xu, the Director of UNFPA’s Asia and Pacific Division (APD),began his speech by presenting some stark facts on water. Focusing on the role of parliamentarians he said that a number of international conventions have explicitly recognised access to water as a basic human right. Through ratification of these conventions and international instruments, governments have commited themselves to ensure availability of a minimum amount of clean water to the people. It is in this respect that parliamentarians can play a crucial role. He said that parlimentarians can lobby with their respective governments to follow an integrated approach to managing water, the land and the eco-system. This approach should take into account the environmental consideration as well as pay due attention to population and gender perspectives.

ICPD Goals Must be Met if Sustainable Development is to be Achieved

Dr. Raj Karim, Director of IPPF/ESEAOR said that the role of water is essential in all aspects of life. She emphasised measures of slow population growth, the empowerment of women, poverty reduction and conserving the environment as mutually reinforcing and equally necessary to achieving sustainability. She warned that unless the ICPD goals are met, the challenges of balancing people’s demands with limited, environmental resources, especially water, will be overwhelming.

Legislators Should Suggest Systems to Resolve Water Conflicts

The keynote address was delivered by Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP Japan and Chair of AFPPD. Mr. Yatsu spoke on the role of parliamentarians in the resolving of international conflicts on water resources and water security. He said that water, as a basic human need, should be distributed and controlled fairly using common standards all over. He highlighted four important points for legislators reviewing the Declaration adopted at the Third Water Forum. Legislators must be cognisant that they have a special and important role to work with their own governments as well as know the importance of suggesting systems to solve water conflicts through the assistance of international organisations and integrated water resource management. Legislators should also encourage their governments to adopt the ‘UN Water Constitution’, to affirm the importance of water resources and ensure their sustainability. Lastly, Mr. Yatsu informed participants that Japan, with its rich knowledge and ODA support, can greatly contribute and assist other countries with regards to water issues.

Growing Population Further Depletes Our Finite Water Resources

Prof. Vo Tong Xuan, Rector of Angiang University of Vietnam presented a paper on water in rural areas and water for agricultural production. He cited examples of water usage in agricultural production, differentiated between the types of water resources and suggested effective use of water. He explained that in the agricultural sector, much water is wasted, particularly when it is used for irrigation. As population continues to grow, the irrigation water requirement will also grow and this will further deplete water resources that are already rapidly disappearing. In the urban sector, industrial use of water is on the rise, and with improved lifestyles, water usage will increase in households. Another issue of great importance Prof. Xuan broached was equal access to water and how it is the poor and vulnerable in our societies who suffer the most in this regard. In conclusion, Prof. Xuan broadcast this message "AFPPD and its members can bring together top legislators who can create appropriate policies to mobilise resources, knowledge and technologies capable of producing breakthroughs in the productivity of water used for agricultural and rural development (Blue Revolution) to cope with the growing population. Furthermore, it is essential that these policies ensure that advances in increased water productivity are directed towards foodstuff and agriculture, livestock and fishery systems that are relevant to the poor as well as contribute to reducing malnourishment and rural poverty, increase levels of human health, and maintain or improve environmental quality and biodiversity."

Climatic Change Evokes Serious Constraints on Sustainable Development

Session two examined the linkages between water, the living environment, climate change and sustainable development. A paper was presented by Mr. Pak Sum Low, the Regional Advisor on Environment and Sustainable Development, UNESCAP. Mr. Low began by emphasising some of the major problems associated with water, two of which are unsustainable usage and pollution. He then explained that human activities and pollution can affect the distribution of rainfall and this in turn brings about the onset of severe, climatic changes. He gave the example of Africa where sulfate aerosols were able to alter the physics of cloud formation miles away through a process known as ‘teleconnection’.This teleconnection reduced rainfall in Africa by as much as 50% In some places. Extreme events under climatic change such as high temperatures, flooding, droughts, fires and pest outbreaks are expected to increase and tropical storms, cyclones and tornados may shift to places less prepared and more vulnerable to such events. Agricultural productivity, food security, human health and ecosystems are all threatened by climatic changes as these impacts adversely affect sustainable development, hence exacerbating poverty. Social impacts of climate change include the increased suffering of the least developed countries as they have very limited capacity to adapt. Additionally, the social impact is inequitable as the rich can adapt more easily than the poor, who will be under greater pressure to migrate and become ‘environmental refugees’. Mr. Low finished by asking the question whether all the Millennium Development Goal targets have taken climatic change into consideration, and if not, he warned that these targets will be impossible to meet, particularly in poor, developing countries.

Water Should Be A Common Good of the Community

Dr. Norio Ishida, Professor Emeritus from Kyoto University, Japan presented the ‘Report of the Third World Water Forum during session three. He touched upon the previous two World Water Forums, but focused predominantly on his research on pollution in Lake Biwa (Japan) and the Aral Sea in Central Asia that had been discussed in depth during the Third Water Forum in March 2003. Prof. Ishida supported Mr. Yatsu’s address and strongly agreed that water should not only be a common good of the earth, but at the same time a common good of the community. He said that wisdom should be used to solve problems arising due to finite water resources, and that although the geographical distribution of water is unequal, it should be recognised that the water resource found within each community belongs to its inhabitants, and as such people living outside of that area should not take water from the community.

Strong Linkages Between Water Pollution and Ill Health

Water and health was the topic of discussion in session four. Prof. Pham Song, President of the Vietnamese Association of Family Planning and former Vietnamese Minister of Health cited the linkages between water and health problems and revealed the main factors contributing to water borne diseases. He explained that floods are the most serious natural disasters encountered in Vietnam. After a flood, there is a shortage of safe drinking water as normally safe drinking water resources have been contaminated by the floodwater. Moreover, the wet and humid environment caused by long-lasting waterlogging (period of one to three months), serves to nurture virulent diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, dengue fever and malaria, which spread rapidly among the population. Pollution of rivers in urban and industrial areas is an immenseproblem in Vietnam as around one billion cubic metres of untreated or poorly treated water are discharged annually into the country’s rivers and the surrounding environment. Prof. Song emphasised the need to consider water as a special, social good, the necessity to support the poor and ensure they have access to safe water as well as educate the public on reasonable water usage. The production sectors should ensure that water is recycled and the price of safe water, although this should be subsidised for the poor, should include the cost of wastewater treatment.

He concluded that communities must be mobilised to participate in water resource protection and controlled use, and that there needs to be a strong commitment from governments on water resource protection. Lastly, supplying safe water should combine the usage of safe technology and the development of waste treatment infrastructure.

All sessions were followed by a lively discussion, where questions and points were made on a variety of topics. The fifth and final session terminated with the adoption of the Ho Chi Minh City Statement on Water and Population in Asia in which parliamentarians pledged to promote in all countries more research on efficient and sustainable use of water for all socioeconomic sectors, especially in agricultural and rural development as well as urge countries to pursue national population policy to incorporate the quality of water as the most important condition to achieve universal sustainable development.

The closing ceremony was addressed by Mr. Kayoko Shimizu MP Japan and Vice-Chair of APDA. She expressed her appreciation of the active participation during the conference and reiterated the importance of recognising the link between water and population. She said "The year 2004 represents ten years after ICPD and ICPPD, thus we shall have many opportunities to discuss ICPD’s outcomes so far. As representatives of our countries and as decision-makers for the future of our countries, we must exert every effort to find ways to achieve coexistence and prosperity on Earth with the limited resources we have."

AFPPD Executive Committee

Extensive Programme Support Planned for 2004

52nd AFPPD Executive Committee Meeting

The 52nd AFPPD Executive Committee took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on the 14th of December during the 19th Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development. Executive Committee members discussed progress made in year 2003 and considered various secretariat related items on the agenda.

Matters discussed for year 2004 included AFPPD’s participation in acting as co-sponsor for the Global Population Conference due to be held in Washington DC on the 13th and15th of May 2004, AFPPD’s collaboration with IPPF for ICPD+10, as well as debate on the venues for the upcoming Asian Conference of Professional Parliamentarians (advocates and technocrats), and a second Asian Women Ministers and Parliamentarians Conference.

One concrete decision that came out of the Executive Commitee was to provide support under the Japan Trust Fund for national programmes and events in 2004 in Mongolia, Laos/PDR, the Philippines, India, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

Attending on behalf of Ms. Kelly Hoare MP Australia and Chair of AFPPD’s Standing Committee on Women, were Dr. Meredith Burgmann MP Australia and Ms. Rachael Ingwersen. Rep. J. R. Nereus Acosta, Deputy Secretary General of AFPPD was represented by Ms. Krisel Lagman-Luistro, MP the Philippines. Mr. Shu Yun Xu, Director of APD/UNFPA, Ms. Kiyoko Ikegaki, Director of UNFPA Tokyo and Dr. Raj Karim, Director of IPPF/ESEAOR also participated.

Quick Facts

With globalisation, social unrest, economic and political crises, and natural disasters, there is an unprecedented rise in numbers of migrants. More than 125 million people now live outside their countries of birth.

AFPPD and World Bank to Cooperate Closely

Mr. Jean Christophe Bas, Development Policy Manager of World Bank Paris, was a guest speaker at the AFPPD - IMPO organised International Medical Parliamentarians Conference in Bangkok. Senator Malinee Sukavejworakit MD Secretary General of AFPPD amd Mr. Shiv Khare Executive Director of AFPPD reveiwed with Mr. Bas, AFPPD’s current cooperation with the Parliamentary Network of World Bank (PNoWB) and discussed cooperation in the future. During discussions, it was suggested that members of AFPPD’s political leadership visit World Bank in Washington DC to strengthen relations.

Mr. Bas was very positive with regards to AFPPD’s role and placed much emphasis on the very close working relationship between PNoWB and the Asian Forum.

Additionally, AFPPD has also been invited to nominate parliamentarians for a World Bank-sponsored study visit of Ethiopia to learn about the HIV/AIDS situation in the country and to formulate a working group on HIV/AIDS.

APDA Survey on Migrant Workers

With support from the Japanese Government and Japanese parliamentarians, the Asian Population and Development Association (APDA), based in Tokyo, Japan, recently conducted a survey on the situation of migrant workers from Myanmar coming into Thailand. The Planned Parenthood Federation of Thailand (PPAT) and AFPPD provided local support.

The survey was conducted by Mr. Osamu Kusumoto, the Assistant Secretary General of APDA and Senior Researcher along with Professor Minoru Kiryu fro Osaka ‘Sangyo’ University, and Mr. Masanori Takemoto, International Affairs APDA.

EU / UNFPA Adolescent Health Initiative Launched in Bangkok

Ms. Wilma Gopal from the EU-UNFPA Adolescent Health Institute organised the Adolescent Reproductive Health Initiative launch in Bangkok in November, which was attended by Asia Pacific UNFPA Country Directors and Senior Programme Officers. Ms. Imelda Henkin, the Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, was an honoured guest at the launch.

Interview Dr. Sang Guowei MP China

Chinese Member of Parliament Dr. Sang Guowei MD was elected as one of AFPPD’s Vice-Chairs in 2003. He is a member of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China as well NPC Vice-Chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee. A distinguished academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Dr. Sang is the Deputy Director of the Department of Public Health, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Engineering and a research professor specialising in the field of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics as well as clinical trial design and evaluation of new, investigational drugs. Speaking with AFPPD Editorial Associate, Ms. Mikaella Lock, Dr. Sang revealed his opinions and feelings on population and development-related issues in China and how these issues could be tackled.

Do you think the Chinese public is adequately aware of the dangers of HIV /AIDS?

"Informing the public of the dangers of HIV/AIDS and ensuring that everyone is aware of how to prevent its transmission is of the utmost importance. Over the years, China has taken steps to address HIV/AIDS through education and publicising information via the media on the disease. This has resulted in a much larger proportion of HIV/AIDS-aware people who are cognisant of the modes of transmission, prevention methods and so on. However, despite these advances, a significant number of people, especially those in rural areas, have a poor knowledge of HIV/AIDS and so in this sense, there remains much to be done. In my opinion, one should not simply focus on educating the public, but also emphasis the gravity of the HIV situation to society’s leaders. In fact this year and the following year with assistance from UNDP, the committee of which I am a member shall be organising a training course, a workshop and a site visit for deputies from the National People’s Congress and the Local People’s Congress as well as the leaders of some concerned departments. These events will focus on problems related to HIV/AIDS and legislation."

What facilities are available for HIV-infected persons in China?

"The Chinese Government attaches great importance to the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and places a special emphasis on treatment and caring for those who are HIV-infected. It is recognised that eradicating the discrimination many HIV-infected persons suffer is crucial so the central government and numerous provinces have adopted an ordinance on the prevention of AIDS, which has a special section on eliminating discrimination against HIV-infected people. China produces its own ARV drugs and these are widely disseminated around the country. Actually, since 2002, the Government has established fifty-one pilot programmes focusing on care, prevention, treatment and rights in the communities where HIV incidence is most prevalent. Additionally, a series of measures have also been taken including increased health education, care-takers for HIV infected persons and volunteer testing and counselling."

What type of facilities are available for elderly persons in China?

"According to the latest population census, people of 60 years and above account for 10% of our total population. The percentage of elderly persons is increasing continuously, indicating China’s probability of becoming an ageing society. With regards to facilities, elderly people in the cities can enjoy a pension and medical insurance while those in the rural areas rely predominantly on family support. Elderly persons living in rural areas and who have no family to help them are supported by the government and the community. However, a rural social insurance and support system has been established in some of the more developed zones such as coastal and suburb areas. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress also carried out the ‘Law on Protecting the Rights and Interests of the Old People.’

Do you think that sustainable development is possible without population planning?

"Recently certain groups of individuals have been condemning the concept of population control and consequently do not support family planning programmes. This attitude is inappropriate in my opinion. I firmly believe that population is a determining factor in the realisation of sustainable development and it is not practical to discuss sustainable development if population planning isn’t taken into consideration.

Do you think population is a major factor in poverty?

"There is a distinct correlation between rapid population growth and poverty. Poverty exacerbates couples’ propensity to have large families as frequently they are unaware of or unable to access RH services. This tendency to have a large number of children imposes a number of constraints on the families themselves as well as society in general. This is why China has integrated poverty reduction and rural population guidance strategies into its family planning programme. This initiative has produced some satisfying results."

Do you think that Chinese parliamentarians focus enough on violence against women (VAW)?

"According to the constitution of China, both men and women enjoy equal footing in social, political and economic life. In 1991, the Standing Committee

of the National People’s Congress passed ‘The Law of Protecting Women’s Rights and Interests,’ and issued ‘The Decision on Punishing the Criminals of Abducting and Kidnapping Women or Children’. Annually, the deputies of the National People’s Congress supervise the implementation of these laws. I would like to add that while some success has been achieved in this area, many problems remain unsolved and there are some deficiencies in implementation of the laws. This needs to be addressed."

Would you say that female parliamentarians are more willing to address this issue than their counterparts?

"I have only recently been elected as a deputy of the National People’s Congress and so I have no personal experience vis-a-vis this subject. I do think, however, that all our deputies are concerned about VAW. Due to their gender, it is probable female parliamentarians have a better understanding of the issue and are therefore more sensitive to it so it is more likely that they come up with practical measures to address VAW. This does not mean that male parliamentarians aren’t involved."

What factors do you think have a negative impact on population and development programmes?

"Conditions vary from country to country and many factors influence population and development programmes. For example in developing countries such as China, elements such as rapid population growth, low reproductive health level, inadequate access to RH services, poverty, low women’s status and a low educational level can all have a significant impact. That is why it is essential to take these deep-rooted factors into account when implementing any population and development programme."

What do you think AFPPD could do to increase motivation among parliamentarians and keep them interested in population and development issues?

"As an international platform assisting Asian parliamentarians, the AFPPD has greatly contributed to the activities of parliamentarians in the population and development field not only Asia, but worldwide. It is our hope that the Asian Forum will continue to initiate, motivate and support Asian parliamentarians to take part in population and development activities, and further strengthen exchange and cooperation between parliaments. I think population and development committees within the national parliaments could initiate and encourage more parliamentarians to take part in population and development activities, educating them so they will become more concerned about population issues and motivating them so they will be proactive on these issues. As a new member of the AFPPD Executive Committee and as a deputy of the National People’s Congress of China, I wish to take part actively in AFPPD activities as well as work towards the solution of China’s population and development issues."

ICPD+10 in 2004

A Special Year for Population and Development

Ten years have passed since the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) took place in Cairo giving a new direction to population programmes and recognising the multifaceted nature of population issues.

The most comprehensive population and development programme of its kind, ICPD as it is commonly known, was initiated in 1994. Through ICPD, family planning is now known as reproductive health. Notably ICPD focuses broadly on RH issues and their integral link to population issues, which in turn are tied to overall global development. This fact was expounded during ICPD+5 at The Hague and will be expounded again during ICPD+10 in 2004.

Population Issues Need to be Centre Stage

Unlike the traditional UN custom of organising international conferences to review progress and work for new commitments, UNFPA willl not be organising any international conferences on population and development. The Regional Commission of the UN, however, organises regional conferences, the most well-known of which is the UNESCAP Conference on Population and Development which took place in Bangkok.

This conference was a clear indicator to governments that there was a need to focus much more on RH and family planning programmes and that the importance of these issues had frequently been overlooked. It was also apparent that if sustainable development were to be achieved, then emphasis absolutely had to be given to population issues. As such, a large number of activities are planned to take place around the world, including activities by AFPPD, to highlight ICPD+10.

Ms. Imelda Henkin Honoured

AFPPD hosted a reception dinner in honour of Ms. Imelda Henkin, the Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA on the 20th of November in Bangkok. Seventy high-level UNFPA officials, including Asia Pacific Division Director Mr. Shu Yun Xu; Deputy Director of UNFPA/APD, Mr. Bill Musoke; UNFPA Senior Programme Advisor, Mr. Satish Mehra; Director of UNFPA/CST Mr. Giridhar; UNFPA Representative from Nepal, Mr. Wasim Zaman; Chief of the UNESCAP Division of Emerging Issues, Ms. Thelma Kay; IOM Representative, Ms. Irena Bojackoba and many others. Parliamentarians and friends of AFPPD also attended. Speeches were given by Senator Malinee Sukavejworakit MD, Secretary General of AFPPD, Mr. Shu Yun Xu, Director of the Asia Pacific Division of UNFPA and Ms. Imelda Henkin who spoke on the close working relationship between UNFPA and AFPPD. Ms. Imelda Henkin was in Bangkok attending UNFPA’s Corporate Regional Planning Meeting for Asia and the Pacific, where all of UNFPA’s country offices and APD HQ offices were represented.

Miscellaneous

Proposed AFPPD Events in Year 2004

• Asian Medical Parliamentarians Conference
• Asian Women Parliamentarians and Ministers Conference
• Meeting of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Women
• South East Asian Meeting of Professional Parliamentarians on ICPD+10
• Regional Training on Management, Monitoring and Evaluations of the
• Advocacy Programme for National Committees
• Advocacy Programme at National Level - January to december 2004
• Hewlett Foundation-Funded Person-to-Person Advocacy Programme

Parliamentarians Remember.......

Ageing

According to the United Nations definition, persons 60 years and over are considered elderly. By 2050, 21 per cent of the world’s population is expected to be 60 years old or over.

Poverty

The 20 per cent of the world’s people living in the highest income countries are responsible for 86 per cent of total private consumption compared with the poorest 20 per cent, who account for only 1.3 per cent.

HIV/AIDS

More than 13 million children under age 15 have lost one or both parents to AIDS. The overwhelming majority of these AIDS orphans live in Africa. By 2010, their number is projected to reach 25 million.

Quick Fact

A child born in the industrial world adds more to consumption and pollution levels in one lifetime than do 30 to 50 children born in developing countries.