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Forum Newsletter |
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December 2006-The mood was no less than celebratory as journalistic excellence took center stage during the 2nd Annual Population and Development Media Awards. Open to all print journalists from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao and NCR, the Awards aims to give due recognition to practitioners in print and other mass media (online and wire service) who have helped disseminate relevant information and positive values on population and development. “We want to recognize their exemplary efforts and at the same time, encourage the media to actively examine population and development issues as social issues that affect the country’s development,” Rep. Maza, who is also a member of this year’s Board of Judges said. Other members of the Board of Judges include Hon. Gilbert C. Remulla (Representative, 2nd District, Cavite, PLCPD Board Member, and Chairperson of the Board of Judges); Hon. Edcel Lagman (Representative, 1st Dist., Albay and PLCPD Board Member); Hon. Liza Maza (Representative, Gabriela Party List and PLCPD Board Member). More than 200 entries were received this year. The awardees include: Ms. Cheryl Chan of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (Best in Investigative Reporting for NCR for her work entitled Perils of Generation Sex); Ms. Ching Alano of the Philippine Star (Best in Opinion Writing for the National Capital Region for her work entitled The Breast-kept Secrets about Mother’s Milk); Ms. Mayette Tabada, Arrah Camilia Quistrado, Linette Ramos and Jujemay G. Awit of Sun Star Cebu (Best in Investigative Reporting for Visayas for their work entitled Young Love, Young Mamas); and Ms. Carolina Montilla of the Eastern Times (Source:PLCPD)
“Mobilize our governments to support the adoption of indicators by Member States of the United Nations to monitor the target of universal access to reproductive health by 2015 and to use those indicators as soon as they are adopted, supplemented by additional programme indicators responsive to national needs.” Bangkok Statement - IPCI/ICPD TB/HIV Policy Report in ThailandBangkok, February 14: The Institute for Population and Social Research of Mahidol University, Thailand, in collaboration with Public Health Watch’s the Open Society Institute, USA, organized the launch of the TB/HIV policy report in Thailand. The meeting was fruitful in obtaining expert’s feedbacks on the research report entitled, “TB Policy in Thailand: A Civil Society Perspective”, which examines the Thai government’s response to TB. The report was presented by Associate Professor Amara Soonthorndhada, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University. Around 70 attendees, including policymakers, academics, representatives from international agencies, government officials and other stakeholders participated during the half-day event. AFPPD was represented by Mr. Philip Nalangan, Programme Associate. Creating a New Comprehensive UN Agency for Women
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Attended Parliamentarians, resource persons, and guests of honor during the Group Photo Session |
Over thirty parliamentarians and ministers of fourteen Asian nations attended “The Asian Parliamentarians’ Workshop on HIV/AIDS with Focus on Accountability and Transparency”, held in Bangkok on January 24-25, 2007. Organized by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the workshop discussed issues arisen from HIV/AIDS with the focus on accountability and transparency.
Transparency and accountability of all government officials are essential
-Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit
Secretary-General of AFPPD
Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary-General of AFPPD, emphasized in her opening remarks the significance and power of parliamentarians in tackling problems caused by HIV/AIDS. “To be successful in ending stigmas, creating awareness, and most importantly, approaching the right prevention and treatment, all lies upon the political will and commitment of policymakers,” said Dr. Malinee during the Opening Ceremony. She asserted that corruption, ineffectiveness, and carelessness of government officials are blocking the way to making real differences, and thus, parliamentarians should play a dual role of monitoring the implementations of policies and influencing the behavior of people to create a coherent, transparent and accountable society.
HIV/AIDS has become one of the most important international issues
-Hon. Potjanee Thanavaranit Second Vice President, National Legislative Assembly, Thailand
Hon. Potjanee Thanavaranit, Second Vice President of the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand, addressed as the chief guest at the Opening Ceremony the need of cooperation of all nations in the Asian region to cooperate in solving the HIV/AIDS issue. “According to the parliamentarians who are representatives of the people from each country, their involvement in these problems will find an effective way of implementation and, wherever needed, they can affect the policy and legislative changes”, she added.
She also referred to the Bangkok Statement of Commitment adopted during the IPCI/ICPD in Thailand in November 2006 “which committed to attain at least 10% of national development budgets and development assistance funds for population and reproductive health programmes, including HIV/AIDS prevention.”
As HIV/AIDS funding increases, Transparency and Accountability should be underlined
-Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS/STI Adviser, UNFPA, CST Bangkok
Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, in his remarks, emphasized the importance of discussing transparency and accountability issues in relation to HIV/AIDS, stating that funding of this epidemic has increased immensely from both public and private sectors. “More important, international support through several mechanisms such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB, Malaria, and the PEPFAR allow countries to expand their interventions to make real changes in HIV prevention and AIDS care. However, these resources are not available forever. Showing that countries are using resources in the most effective way justifies sustaining and perhaps expansion of these supports,” he added.
Are we doing enough for HIV in Asia and the Pacific?
-Dr. Swarup Sarkar, UNAIDS
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Dr. Swarup Sarkar, Regional Progamme Adviser, UNAIDS at the Session, “HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacifi c: An Overview of the Situation.” |
The first session of the workshop was chaired by Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary-General of AFPPD. Dr. Swarup Sarkar, Regional Progamme Adviser, UNAIDS, presented “HIV/AIDS in Asia-Pacific: An Overview of the Situation” which gave outline of the epidemic and its gaps of response by focusing on the progression of the epidemic, factors driving the epidemic, universal access, and propositions of what should be done to improve the situation.
“In spite of extraordinary funding increase in HIV, the amount of increasing fund that you don’t see in other programmes, HIV is still increasing, particularly in Asia. Unless we act urgently, the cost of intervention on HIV will be higher and higher,” said Dr. Sarkar. He talked of the spread of the epidemic in Asia, showing that by 2006, 8.3 million Asians are HIV positive, with one million new infections and half a million deaths each year. As he suggested that governments should also consider providing methadone and needle syringes to IDUs (Injecting Drug Users) to slow down the spread of the disease, he also urged governments to look over IDU concerns. “Unless you address the epidemic among injectors very fast, the joint of sex work epidemic can wake up pre-naturally,” he added.
During the discussion, parliamentarians shared stories of their own countries, in regards to HIV/AIDS. Mrs. Riffat Javaid Kahlon, MP, Pakistan, initiated the focus of HIV/AIDS prevention and religious barriers as well as the gender sensitivity of the issue. The dialogue showed that many of the parliamentarians, mostly of Islamic backgrounds, expressed understanding as they share the same difficulty. Suggestions were made by Cambodia that religious leaders should be invited to work together with parliamentarians. More importantly, as for the role of parliamentarians, Ms. Francesca Riannah Semoso, MP, Papua New Guinea put forward that there should be an initiator who can stand up and be upfront with the issue. The discussion ended as Dr. Sarkar concluded, “change is in your hands as representatives of the people who listen to people’s voice on how to change their lives.”
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Above: Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS/STI Adviser, UNFPA, CST BKK; Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit Secretary- General, AFPPD; Hon. Potjanee Thanavaranit, Second Vice President , National Legislative Assembly Thailand, at the opening ceremony. Below: Panel of Parliamentarians on workshop session ‘What Parliamentarins Can Do’ |
We need more commitment from all official levels
-Dr. Sombat Thanprasertsuk
Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
The second session of the workshop, chaired by Mr. Ian Hunter, MP, Australia, focused on ‘why epidemics are not under control.’ The first speaker, Dr. Sombat Thanprasertsuk, M.D., M.P.H., Director Bureau of AIDS, TB and STIs, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, put prevention as the focal point of his presentation as he believes it is the most critical part of the programme, to find the most effective system to tackle the epidemic. He spoke of his concerns on youth and HIV/AIDS, indicating that, though the trend of new HIV infections in recent years appear to be declining, “more number of youths engage in sex with less use of condoms.” Dr. Sombat also proposed that commitment of all sectors in scaling up the resources and capacity of people is imperative.
Improving HIV/AIDS Treatment
–Dr. Praphan Phanuphak
Director Thai Red Cross,
AIDS Research Center, Bangkok
Dr. Praphan Phanuphak, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Director of The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Center stated that HIV-related morbidity and mortality can now be prevented as “ARV is a life-saving measure that is sustainable and has been proven cost-effective.” Referencing international policies and Thai government policies on HIV/AIDS, he points out problems which may emerge during the process of treatment, and how parliamentarians can help better the situation. He emphasized that governments should have a role in promoting the use of the treatment and adherence to ARV for PLWHA (People Living With HIV and AIDS), and suggested that the states should produce genuine and sustainable political commitment.
Stigma and Discrimination: Barriers to universal access in Asia
-Dr. Jeanine Bardon,
Senior Director, FHI, Asia Pacific
Regional Office, Bangkok
Dr. Jeanine Bardon looked at interrelation of stigma, discrimination, and barrier to tackling HIV/AIDS successfully. She particularly talked of sex workers, MSM, IDUs, migrant and mobile population.
Dr. Bardon stressed that ”discrimination is particularly important for these populations in Asia since they are mostly subjected to the broad social level and also under the law in many countries.” “It is crucial to seek information that documents the state of the epidemic among hidden populations – since HIV can reach high levels and yet be unnoticed unless specific efforts at surveillance are made,” she added. Dr. Bardon also advised parliamentarians to lead their communities by example, speak out in support of PLHA and affected populations, introduce and strengthen legislations, particularly anti-discrimination laws, laws that protect access to prevention and treatment services, essential commodities, and redress for human rights abuses.
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Panelists at the session ‘Why Epidemics Are Not Under control: (L-R) Mr. Jon Ungpakorn Board Secretary, AIDS Access |
Lack of Political Will
-Mr. Jon Ungpakorn Board Secretary,
AIDS Access Foundation, Thailand
Mr. Jon Ungpakorn, Board Secretary, AIDS Access Foundation, and former senator of Thailand spoke boldly of the obstacles, especially of the government and politicians that hinder effective HIV/AIDS prevention. They are: the lack of political will of political leaders; stigmas and discrimination; the false translation and implementations of policies; and the obsolete cultural and religious traditional practices. He suggested that governments should get the civil society and PHLAs (People Living With HIV/AIDS) involved in making and implementing the policies. “You cannot just tell people how to behave, you should ask them. Asking people is empowering people. We should empower people to think of how they can prevent HIV/AIDS” he said.
During the discussion, questions of traditional barriers are raised. Women’s rights issues were raised by Mrs. Riffat Javaid Kahlon, MP, Pakistan and Ms. Tejaswini Seeramesh, MP, India. Ms. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, MP of the Philippines suggested that governments may inquire insurance companies to cover AIDS treatment in their health insurance programmes as how it is effective in her country.
“To be successful in ending stigmas, creating awareness, and most importantly, approaching the right prevention and treatment, all lies upon the political will and commitment of policymakers.” -Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakij
What time is HIV/ADS Epidemic in Your Country?
–Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS/STI Advisor, UNFPA, CST, Bangkok
On the session, “HIV/AIDS and SRH,” chaired by Mr. Phonethep Pholsena, MP, Lao PDR, Dr. Chaiyos gave quite an innovative presentation which was both entertaining and informative. Parliamentarians also had an active role in participating in this session. He started off with a question to parliamentarians, “suppose the epidemic lasts for 12 hours, 6am to 6am, what time is the HIV epidemic in your country?” His aim was to make parliamentarians contemplate on whether the time they proposed can be verified by concrete evidences of their country as well as to encourage parliamentarians to find out the actual situation their countries are in. He reminded parliamentarians that it may be easy for the government to draft an HIV/AIDS policy, but it is indeed difficult to implement it through the existing system in a larger scale. Dr. Chaiyos left the question of existing good practices at the national level for parliamentarians to revise. “Promise me that you will go back and identify more preventions and implement them in your country,” he said to parliamentarians.
During the discussion, parliamentarians from Pakistan, India, and PNG promised to go back to their nations and implement the policies as requested by Dr. Chaiyos. Dr. Jeanine Bardon, Senior Director, Asia/Pacific Regional Office, FHI, as coming from the United States, also gave parliamentarians encouraging words, “you shouldn’t underestimate your own power in the parliament. Bureaucrats can jump as high as you can possibly imagine.”
Accountability and Transparency: Dependability and Understanding
-Ms. Rebecca Reynolds, AIDS Access
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| Top: Participants form Thailand: Ms. Dr. Ammar Siamwalla,
Member, Thai National Legislative Assembly; Dr. Puangpen
Chanprasert. Bottom: Participants from Papua New Guinea:
(L-R) Ms. Francesca Riannah Semoso, MP, Deputy Speaker, Autonomous Bougainville Government; Sir Peter Barter, Minister of Health and Bougainville Affairs. |
Sir Peter Barter, Minister for Health and Bougainvillea Affairs, Papua New Guinea, chaired the session of ‘Advocacy for Accountability and Transparency from Central to Local Level.” Ms. Rebecca Reynolds, Program Coordinating Officer, The Regional Training Project, AIDS ACCESS Foundation, emphasized on the importance of the relationship between parliamentarians and NGOs in regards to transparency and accountability on HIV/AIDS issues as parliamentarians and NGOs are in the middle between people and the government. “These relationships and the networks that they create are essential building blocks on our ongoing battle against HIV/AIDS. Without them, we have little chance of winning any ground against new infections, against misinformation, against stigma and discriminations,” she concluded. She also urged parliamentarians to play a proactive role by making the introductions between local and national PLWHA groups as well as NGOs and the relevant government departments.
Ensuring good governance is ensuring understanding of HIV/AIDS advocacy
-Dr. Elizabeth Dax
AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific
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Paneliests at the session, “Advocacy for Accountability and Transparency from Central to Local Level.” (L-R) Ms. Rebecca Reynolds, AIDS ACCESS Foundation; Sir Peter Barter, Minister for Health and Bougainvillea Affairs, PNG; Dr. Elizabeth Dax, Executive Committee Member, AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific. |
Dr. Elizabeth Dax Executive Committee Member of AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific, Australia spoke mainly of the relevance of HIV/AIDS to government and governance and gave explanations why parliamentarians and policy makers should pay attention to HIV/AIDS advocacy and advocates. She emphasized on the notion of successful advocacy in that results should meet the needs of the people. Dr. Dax showed the link of how the government, at the national level, is closely linked to the advocacy at the local level, stating that interactive responses from all parties are the most effective responses to HIV/AIDS. Giving the example of the error rates of HIV blood testing as one of the most serious cases of ineffective advocacy in Asia, she pointed out that statistics are unreliable and misdiagnoses occur concurrently, identifying the cause of this as poor advocacy of proper clinical environment.
Lack of transparency causes misuse of funds
-Dr. Rosalia Sciortino, Mahidol University
The session, “Funding, Accountability, and Transparency” was chaired by Mrs. Riffat Javaid Kahlon, MP, Pakistan. Dr. Rosalia Sciortino, Associate Professor, Institute of Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thailand, highlighted AIDS funding efficiency. She expressed concerns that the rapidly expanding budgets are making it more possible to have a weak oversight mechanism, abuse of fund usage, and diversion of funding. As a result, what is necessary is a ‘capable, accountable and transparent states and institutions.’ By this, she emphasized on the role of the states, and as for parliamentarians, she suggested that “governance reform” should be put into practice.
During the discussion, the controversial issue of whether funding should go into prevention or treatment was raised. Dr. Ammar Siamwalla, member, Thai National Legislative Assembly, expressed his concerns of the stigma against those who are infected. Dr. Sciortino then added that prevention schemes has to be continual and pointed out that both funding of prevention and treatment should go hand in hand.
Competent Performance Management and Rating System for Donors Needed
-Gopakumar Nair, Save The Children, UK
During the session, “Accountability and Transparency: What is Their Relationship in Controlling HIV/AIDS,” chaired by Ms. Francesca Riannah Semoso, MP, Papua New Guinea, Mr. Gopakumar Nair, HIV and AIDS Policy and Proramme Adviser, Save the Children, UK, gave an outspoken presentation on the problems of HIV/AIDS at the national and international levels. He gave alarming statistics that, during the governments’ battle against HIV/AIDS, less than 50% of PLWA (People Living With Aids) and only one third of the civil society were consulted. Another interesting point he raised is ‘Global Strategy vs. Grassroots Reality,’ implying that grants and funds given by donor organizations sometimes do not meet the needs of the locals who the grants are intended for. He suggested that parliamentarians should establish competent performance management and rating systems for donors.
Mr. Nair’s presentation set the ground for a fruitful discussion amongst parliamentarians. “It (HIV/AIDS) started with us and ends with us, with or without money. Money might be a setback, but without money, we still have to carry on,” the session’s chair person, Ms. Francesca Riannah Semoso of PNG said. Mr. Ian Hunter, MP of Australia, questioned why politicians are making policies to tackle the issue but NGOs still confront them. Mr. Nair responded that NGOs are only doing this to pressure the government to do more.
Another issue which was raised by the chair was whether if money should be put on prevention or treatment. Dr. Chaiyos of UNFPA asserted, “treatment is the penalty of prevention (neglected) ten years ago, so we have to pay for treatment because we ignored it in the past.” He believes that, states should saturate prevention first and use the remaining fund for treatment. Sir Peter Barter of PNG had also suggested that NGOs should work together with the government to draft and implement the policies.
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| Parliamentarians fom Pakistan participating the session:(L-R) Ms. Onaza Ehsan, MP; Mrs. Riffat Javaid Kahlon, MP |
The workshop’s last session, “What Parliamentarians Can Do,” chaired by Mr. Beksultan Tutkushev, Senator of Kazakhstan and Deputy Secretary General of AFPPD, parliamentarians from the Philippines, Indonesia, China and Vietnam gave presentations on their country’s current HIV/AIDS situations and proactive actions done by their governments to set examples for their counterparts.
Enhancing HIV/AIDS Accountability and Transparency Thru Legislation
- Ms. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz
MP, Philippines
Talking of the situation in the Philippines, Ms. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz, MP, Phillipines, Special Committee on the Millennium Development Goals, asserted that the total spending on HIV and AIDS has been decreasing while the number of HIV and AIDS cases are increasing. However, though the share of spending for treatment is low, it has been increasing since 2002. She had also made a proposal of what should be done to enhance the efficiency of HIV/AIDS policies, including increasing appropriations for HIV/AIDS programmes and enhancing the existing HIV and AIDS information and educational program.
Indonesia against HIV/AIDS
–Dr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan
MP and Sp. OG, Indonesia
Speaking of the current HIV/AIDS situation in Indonesia, Dr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan, MP and Sp.OG, Indonesia, reported that there is currently 8,194 AIDS cases, 5,230 in December, with the estimated number of HIV vulnerable population in 2006 at 193,000. He had also talked of affirmative actions the Indonesian parliament has taken through Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IFPPD) in Fighting HIV/AIDS. He also spoke on the successful advocacy in Indonesia in which 1.80% of HIV/AIDS high-risk group can access prevention services and medication; 2.50% of HIV/AIDS high-risk group can be part of 100-condom use program; and 3.60% of HIV/AIDS high-risk group can change their behavior.
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| Panelists at the session, ‘What Parliamentarins Can Do.’ (L-R) Dr. Hakim Sorimuda Pohan, MP and Sp. OG, Indonesia, Mr. Li Honggui, MP, China; Mr. Beksultan Tutkushev, Senator of Kazakhstan & Deputy Secretary General; AFPPD; Mr. Le Du, MP, Vietnam, Ms. Nerissa Corazon Soon- Ruiz, MP, Philippines |
China accepts that HIV/AIDS is also a social, ethical, and national security issue.
- Mr. Li Honggui, MP, China
Mr. Li Honggui, MP, China said that the spread of the disease is speeding up, especially in the rural areas. China has now accepted that the situation is not only public health issue but also social, ethical, as well as national security issues. China has, thus, established a consulting organization, with full involvement of NGOs and International and regional cooperation. China has also promised to continue to take an active role in tackling the issues and continue to have close relationships with the international society on issues regarding HIV/AIDS.
“treatment is the penalty of prevention (neglected) ten years ago, so we have to pay for treatment because we ignored it in the past.”
-Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont
Vietnam’s Commitment
-Mr. Le Du, MP, Vietnam
Representative of Vietnam, Mr. Le Du, MP, pointed out the challenges Vietnam is encountering and said that the government had just recently taken an active role in passing a law on AIDS in legalizing Harm Reduction in June 2006. He also presented to the meeting actions Vietnamese representatives will take after this workshop and gave recommendations to the workshop, asserting that: AFPPD and UNFPA should also support national meetings on Accountability, Transparency and AIDS programmes; Asian parliamentarians should hold a meeting on harm reduction policies on AIDS programme; and as for the next meeting, PLWA should also be invited to attend the seminar
Population Headliners, newsletter of Social Issue Division, UNESCAP, conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Yasuo Fukuda, MP, Japan, and Chairman of AFPPD before the IPCI/ICPD for their September-October 2006 issue.
What are the key contributions of parliamentarians in the success of population programmes in Asia-Pacific over the past 25 years?
Mr. Fukuda: “Twenty-five years ago, when the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) was established, the developing countries in Asia and the Pacific were experiencing rapid growth of their populations, unprecedented in human history. The rapid population growth was retarding national efforts to achieve economic and social progress and was putting considerable strain on the economies to provide sufficient education, health care and employment.
The parliamentarians have played a pivotal role in enacting policies and legislation and in earmarking resources for the formulation and implementation of national family planning programmes. These efforts have contributed to reduce fertility and curb population growth. Since the adoption of the Programme of Action (PoA) of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the parliamentarians have become more aware and active in supporting efforts to improve reproductive health, promote gender equality and achieve the goals of the ICPD PoA and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). As a result, in many countries of Asia and the Pacific, the National Committees of Parliamentarians on Population and Development have been revising or formulating population policies and programmes to conform to the right-based approach recommended in the ICPD PoA. They have been instrumental in keeping the ICPD agenda on the national political and legislative agendas.
Parliamentarians are also actively engaged in supporting policies and programmes to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS, address the reproductive health needs of adolescents and deal with the unseen scourge of domestic violence.
Parliamentarians actively encourage the involvement and participation of NGOs and the private sector and promote south-south cooperation for the exchange of experience and lessons learned”.
What do you expect to be the main outcome of the 2006 IPCI?
“I sincerely hope that the deliberations among the members of parliaments from around the world during this Conference will help to refocus and reshape our thinking and programmes to meet the global, regional and national needs and challenges faced in working towards the Goals of the ICPD PoA and the MDGs. I hope the Conference will also provide an invaluable opportunity to learn from one another, promote better understanding and enhance south-south cooperation.”
Are there any particularly critical issues you hope will be tackled?
“Though significant progress has been made during the past two-and-a-half decades, the challenges that we face are many and the agenda of the Conference reflects our priorities. We need to examine our role and impact in meeting the commitments made at the ICPD and at the five- and ten-year review gatherings. In this regard, we have to assess the progress made in achieving universal access to reproductive health services, in improving gender equality, and in bridging gender gaps. It is also clear that resources for the implementation of the ICPD PoA have fallen considerably short and we have to identify the steps that are needed to increase those resources.
Parliamentarians are a changing group. In Asia, most of them come from rural areas or small towns where most people live. As leaders in their communities, they play an important role. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that they remain motivated to keep the momentum that we have gained over the years going”.
What is the likely future direction of population policies in the region?
“Population policies and programmes have to be dynamic and will have to respond to current as well as anticipated future challenges. Continued emphasis and support is needed to further improve reproductive health, particularly of young people who are most vulnerable and comprise the largest cohort. Policies and programmes must continue to recognize that gender equality is central to achieving the ICPD and the MDGs.
However, in the not too distant future, more and more countries will enter the new demographic regime characterized by population ageing and increased migration. These trends, together with increases in the level of income, will have significant impacts on the environment and the quality of life and will need to be part of future population policies and programmes”.
Source: ‘Population Headliners’, ESCAP
EU/UNFPA Youth Projects
The EU/UNFPA Reproductive Health Initiative for Youth in Asia (RHIYA) will officially come to a close this year and the RHIYA Good Practices Dissemination Meeting took place in Bangkok on February 7-8, 2007 brought together and conclude the RHIYA initiatives in all seven projected countries.
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(L-R) Regine Mandy, RHIYA Project Manager, EuropeAid Cooperation Offi ce, Brussel; Mr. Andrew Jacobs, Head of Operations, EC Delegation, Thailand, Mr. J. Bill Mosuke, Deputy Director of Asia Pacifi c Division, UNFPA, at the opening ceremony of the Good Practices Dissemination Meeting |
RHIYA is the collaboration of the European Union (EU), the UNFPA, international and local NGOs in carrying out Initiatives for Reproductive Health for young people in Asia, most particularly the high-risk population in seven selected nations in South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Viet Nam. Initiated in 2003 and ended in 2007, RHIYA Projects were evidently successful in changing the lives of youths region-wide by creating an enabling environment, advocating for policy development, providing clinical services and comprehensive Programmes, as well as educating and communicating with youngsters on sexual reproductive health.
Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director of Asia Pacific Division, UNFPA, during the opening remarks thanked the European Commission for having instigated the projects and praised the RHIYA teams for their commitment and dedication of carrying out such successful initiatives. On the panel were also Mr. Andrew Jacobs, Head of Operations, EC Delegation, Thailand, and Ms. Regine Mandy, RHIYA Project Manager, EuropeAID Cooperation Office, Brussels. Mr. Jacobs had also praised the powerful accomplishment of RHIYA and thanked UNFPA for their cooperation and aid in making the projects in all countries successful.
An overview of the ‘Good Practices Exercise’ of RHIYA was given by the Good Practices Exercise Team which included Ms. Andrea Irvin, Mr. Olivier Weil, and Mr. Thierry Lucas. The common definition of ‘Good Practices’ was given as effective, innovative, replicable, sustainable, and high quality; characteristics that RHIYA projects have successfully obtained.
The Good Practices exercise team also introduced series ‘Good Practices Booklets’ which detailed the information of the projects conducted. These four series include good practices in advocating for policy development, for creating an enabling environment, clinical services and comprehensive programmes, good practices in advocating for policy development, and good practices in education and communication. Several distinguished persons were invited to give their reviews on them. They include Mr. Tauhid U. Alam, UNFPA, Bangladesh, Ms. Catherine Taylor, HLSP, UK, Mr. Tudor Silva, Professor of Sociology, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.
The essence of the meeting was the Good Practices Parallel Sessions where project managers, EC and UNFPA facilitators, as well as local project coordinators presented their RHIYA initiatives, followed by discussions with participants, fruitful in giving the project initiators suggestions, comments and perspectives on each of the project. These good practices included creating ‘Youth Friendly Community’ in Bangladesh, community and peer education on ASRH in Cambodia, the establishment of the first Youth Center in Laos, addressing gender-based violence in rural and conservative Community in Nepal, educational street theater in Sri Lanka, advocating for SRH Programmes for youth people in Vietnam, and forming sustainable public and private partnerships in Pakistan.
A few of the Good Practices Initiatives presented have also involved the government and local parliamentarians. In Vietnam, the Youth Union have involved RHIYA partners and facilitators, UNFPA Officials, NGOs, policymakers, and local adolescents to collaborate in forming a national advocacy strategy on SRH, which inspired the drafting Vietnam’s first ‘Youth Policy’ that put SRH (Sexual Reporductive Health) and vulnerability of youth as priorities.In Pakistan, RHIYA have worked with Marie Stopes Society who has close ties with the local district government as well as the health department to create‘Public/Private Partnership.” With its new local government structure, local district governments of Kohar and Jacobad, in cooperation with RHIYA facilitators, have passed resolutions and allocated funds for ARH through the Citizen Community Booards (CCB).
At the end of the two-day meeting, involved EC Delegations were invited to give thier perspectives on the project. These include Mr. Le Van Thanh, Vietnam, Ms. Anne Harmer, Thailand, Ms. Laila Baqee, Bnagladesh, and Mr. Archad Rachid, Pakistan.
RHIYA was certainly a thriving accomplishment and the meeting was a great gathering place for involved groups and individuals to come together and share their experiences of good practices. However, as the project has ended, the challenge of sustainability now lies upon the hands of all involved parties. And as Mr. Bill Musoke stated in his closing remarks, “translate this beyond the stage they are in so can be used outside the region to other countries.”
AFFPD was represented by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive-Director, and Ms. Passawee Tapasanan, Editorial Associate.
*More information can be found on copies of RHIYA Good Practices Booklet. To obtain a copy, please contact info@rhiya.org.
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Panel at the Opening Ceremony: (L-R) Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan; Mr. Muhammad Amjad Abbas,
Senator, Pakistan; Mr. Zafar Iqubal Chaudhry, Senator, Pakistan; Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro, Chairman, Senate of
Pakistan; Hon. Won Hye Young, President of CPE, Korea Parliament and APPCED |
Islamabad, March 2, 2006 - “We cannot allow rapid industrialization and burgeoning population to play havoc with ecosystem and act as an essential lifeline determining weather patterns and climate changes, protecting environment for posterity as a race against time, a battle against odds, and mankind’s quest for survival in which there is no room for runners up. Human race can ill afford and environmental apocalypse that may cast a shadow of doom on our survival by harming development ad economic well being of the entire humanity,” were the words of Mr. Shauket Aziz. Prime Minister of Pakistan who opened the AFPPD and Korea Committee on Population and Development (CPE) Sponsored ‘13th General Assembly of Asia Pacific parliamentarians on Environment and Development (APPCED).’ AFPPD was represented by the Executive-Director, Shiv Khare.
The focus of the meeting was, “Water Reservation and Sustainability Development.” Held in Islamabad on February 28 – March 2, 2007, the event was organized by Pakistan’s House of Senate. Keynotes were given by Dr. Abdul Majeed, Head of Water Program, IUCN, Pakistan, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro, Chairman, Senate of Pakistan, and Hon. Won Hye Young, President of CPE, Korea Parliament and APPCED.
The plenary session on “Water Conservation and Management Practices” was presented by Mr. Hammad Naqi Khan, Director, Freshwater and Toxics Programme, WWF, Pakistan. This was followed by a presentation on ‘Water and Environmental Security’ by Mr. Richard Garstang, National Programme and Wetland Programme Manager, Pakistan. The last session was on ‘Trans-Boundary Water Issues’ had also attracted a wide array of attention from many parliamentarians.
At the conference, population dynamics and growth, migration, density distribution and urbanization were discussed as the intertwining causes of issues concerning fresh water and sustainable development. Moreover, population growth was concluded to be one of the major factors for water shortages, pollution and water disputes. The Islamabad Declaration adopted also addressed these issues. The President and Prime Minister also hosted the reception for the parliamentarians.Mr. Zafar Iqubal Chaudhry and Mr. Muhammad Amjad Abbas, Senators of Pakistan were the key organizers of the event with Ms. Regina Sangmi-Lee, Director General of CPE, Korea.
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Ms. Chikage Ohgi
children and the elderly people, which is considered as a chance for achieving economic development for many countries. 
Parliamentarians shared their experiences
Dr. Zenbei Uchijima of Ochanomizu University, Japan, focused on the future of human being as affected by environment, water resources and food. He mainly focused on issues related to earth and energy, growth of economy and destruction of environment, evaluation of human impact, natural resources supporting human being and wild lives that includes land resources, atmosphere resources, biomass resources, and water resources. He urged parliamentarians to take proactive actions on rational allocation and use of these resources and prevent the destruction of the global environment. 
Dr. Mitsuko Horiuchi, Bunkyogakuin University, Japan, spoke to parliamentarians on the current challenges of labor migration specifically focusing on employment in global economy, characteristics of international labor migration, feminization of migrant workers, brain drain, remittance, and human trafficking. “Driving forces for these are many and complex and some major ones are that jobs are not created fast enough to absorb new entrants to labor markets, economic disparity, population density, demographic deficit, technological changes, the rise of global production system and “intra-company transferees” that has become a ubiquitous presence in the more dynamic regions,” she said. Governments should all recognize transnational issues of cooperation among different multilateral international organizations to increased convergence of ideas for multinational regime to govern international labor migration. 
Mr. Shin Sakurai, MP, Vice-Chairperson of JPFP chaired the session that dealt with parliamentarians’ movement on population and development, its siginificance and future strategies.
