• Advancing Political Committment for Gender Equality and Equity
• Bangkok Celebrates World Population Day with an International Flavour
• Global and Regional Roundtables Reignite the Vision and Spirit of ICPD
• South Asian Roundtable Formulates Strategies to Face Challenges Ahead
• South East Asia Roundtable Provides New Direction
• Monitoring and Evaluation Training for Parliament Staff

• Environmental Problems are Related to Population Issues
• Parliamentarians Workshop on National Advocacy and Communication in India
• Parliament Clerks Met in Fiji
• Calender of Events September to December 2004
• Global Heath Fund Stakeholders Meet
• Photo Gallery

Advancing Political Committment for Gender Equality and Equity

2nd Asian Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference in Canberra;

80 women parliamentarians and ministers from Asia and the Pacific gathered at the 2nd Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference, held in Canberra on the 29-30th June 2004. The meeting was organized by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD), the Australian All Party Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APPGPD), in cooperation with UNFPA and the Australian Parliament, the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) and the Government of Japan.

The conference participants were welcomed by Ms Kelly Hoare, MP Australia and Chairwoman of the AFPPD Standing Committee on the Status of Women, and opened by the Honourable Kay Patterson, Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women in Australia. Mr Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan, and Chair of the AFPPD and guest of honour Ms Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA also addressed participants at the opening.

Parliamentarians from over 26 Asian and Pacific Island countries, officials and representatives from a multitude of NGO’s and UN agencies attended.

Senator Kay Patterson opened by expressing the importance of this 10th anniversary of the ICPD for the population and development agenda and the progression of women’s rights. Among the key areas for discussion were the elimination of violence against women, equality and equity and the empowerment of women, reproductive health and control of fertility, and population ageing and health.

In his speech Mr Yatsu, MP (Japan) and Chairman, AFPPD noted that “the greatest outcome of the ICPD Programme of Action was the successful adoption of a major paradigm shift – namely, that the population issue must be approached in a qualitative rather than a quantitative manner”.

There is a situation of serious population growth in developing countries and there is a need for further implementation of the Programme of Action centring on reproductive health improvements. At the same time the empowerment of women is essential through concrete measures such as improving literacy and income creation opportunities.

Ms Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director, UNFPA delivered a passionate message to the conference; she expressed that all participants at regional review meetings that have led up to this conference have shown unequivocal commitment to the ICPD Programme of Action and each meeting has had positive outcomes. The consensus agreement reached at ICPD by 179 governments and reinforced at its 5 year review in 1999 represents a balanced and pragmatic approach to population and development issues, an approach to human rights, women’s empowerment and sustainable development. All meetings to date have had positive outcomes and the overall goal now is to re-ignite the vision and spirit of the Cairo agenda and the political will to do more. She said that we will not be able to reduce poverty, hunger and disease, and especially HIV/AIDS unless greater efforts are made for women’s rights and to expand access to sexual and reproductive health services. We must also address the issue of unsafe abortion as a matter of public health and in line with the ICPD Programme of Action. Ms Henkin expressed the need to forge stronger partnerships across all sectors to facilitate this continued forward movement.

This session focused on gender-based violence and trafficking of women in Asia, with Ms. Urmila Singh, Assistant representative at UNFPA, Fiji raising the urgent need for the culture of silence and denial to be broken at every level of society. She expressed that there is much to be done to reduce the gender based violence from our societies and all local, national, regional and international organisations, including governments, NGOs, civil societies, academic and research organisations must be involved.

Trafficking

On ‘Trafficking of Women in Asia’ Dr Sallie Yea, Senior Research fellow with the International Development Program of RIMT University, Australia, made a further call for governmental and non-governmental research, collaboration and cooperation. “Trafficking remains only vaguely understood with the vast majority of research relying on anecdotal evidence. It is therefore vital that for programmes to be effective and targeted, and for states to meet their obligations and responsibilities set out in the UN Trafficking Protocol, that more effective, in-depth research is conducted.”

Dr Raj Karim, Regional Director for IPPF for East and South East Asia explained that despite significant progress in the Asia-Pacific people continue to live in poverty and ill health, and women in particular face unnecessary and preventable deaths from pregnancy, delivery and abortion complications. Young people are at high risk of HIV/AIDS infection, unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion and hence acceptable services that can drastically improve this situation are an urgent priority. To deal with the enormity of the challenge the IPPF are formulating a new strategic direction - the five A’s for reproductive and sexual health, relating to adolescence, the prevention of unsafe abortions and HIV/AIDS – with advocacy and access to services as cross cutting issues – and gender and other rights mainstreaming.

Among speakers on this topic the Minister for Social Welfare of PNG, Lady Carol Kidu expressed concerns about the epidemic that PNG is facing. Whilst infections are increasing at an alarming rate and women are often inaccurately blamed, commitment from the highest levels of politics and leadership must be combined with a systematic and community based response that takes ownership of the problem so that people can understand that the spread of this disease can be a matter of choice. Essentially the matter of the basic human right to informed choice still remains to be dealt with and until these underlying issues of gender equity and reproductive and sexual health rights are addressed PNG is in danger of losing the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS.

From a different perspective H.E. Dr. Sirikorn Maneerin, Deputy Minister for Public Health of Thailand was able to speak about successes to date as well as the need to improve Thailand’s prevention efforts. “Some of the key strategies will be to maintain the strong national STD prevention and control program by using rapid diagnosis and treatment together with condom promotion. The second issue is to strengthen the prevention program against injecting drug users.” “The third area that we try to promote is research, that will provide valuable information on the factors influencing the epidemic and its effective countermeasures.”

Dr. Chandrakala Pandey MP (India) discussed the challenges that women face in society. “Women often represent the poorest, most exploited and marginalized sector of society. Equalising societal inequity includes empowering women to take an active role at all levels.” She also said that this empowerment must be threefold – it must be political, economic and social. MP for East Timor, Ms Maria Teresa Lay made a cry for help during her speech; poverty is rife in Timor Leste, 50% of the population in live on less than $1 day and it is women that feel most of the burden. She stressed that enthusiasm from the international community has been strong but that the participation from Timor Leste is hindered by 4 major factors; poor education, poor health and immunisation services, lack of family planning and lack of exposure to good practice.

Chairing the discussion on Resource Mobilisation for the ICPD and Gender Issues Ms. Talino-Santos, Philippines, and Deputy Director-General of the Policy and Multilateral Branch of AusAID, Ms O’Keeffe provided an overview of Australia’s contribution, reviewed the goals and objectives and discussed the aims of Australia’s aid program - $290 million for education (13% of the overall budget) and $242 million towards health assistance. The second speaker, Senior Economist at the Futures Group International, Dr. Gayle Martin addressed issues specifically related to HIV/AIDS and aired some facts and figures and some important points; globally, between 4.2 million and 5.8 million people were infected with HIV in 2003. She said that “There is no one thing that could intervene and magically explain everything. Experience globally has shown that some of the key prevention interventions that are essential are, firstly, the deferred initiation of sexual activity; secondly, partner reduction; thirdly, condom use and STI management; and, lastly, harm reduction for intravenous drug users”.

Ms. Julie Munday, Chief Executive and the Asia-Pacific Regional Representative of Marie Stopes International, Australia, said “Our global partnership of NGOs operates in 43 countries, including 17 in the Asia-Pacific region.” She also said that with regards to funding and donation, Governments, consumers and the Private Sector each have a key role to play, and that in particular the latter could be exploited far more in some countries.

The discussion following aired some interesting points about antiretroviral drugs and their associated cost. There is a need for the Government to deal both with the initial issue of inconsistent drug use due to both high and varying costs, by playing a role in negotiating with pharmaceutical companies and using their power to have an impact on what households have to spend their money on.

Populations, Ageing and Health

Key speakers included Mr Jerry Huguet, Chief of Population and Social Integration Section for UNESCAP, Ms. Yukiko Kawahashi, MP (Japan), Ms. Orzechowska-Fischer from ANU’s Demography and Sociology program and Mr Dehne Taylor, Manager of the Labour Market Unit, Australian Treasury. Ms. Kawahashi used Japan’s experience of an ageing society to express the key issue; “An ageing population puts the maintenance of the social security system, including pensions, medical care and senior care, at risk, because the growing imbalance between the currently supporting generation and the dependent population inverts the population pyramid. It is estimated that by the year 2050 every 2 taxpayers will have to support 1 retired person.”

Ms. Orzechowska-Fischer gave an interesting insight on the ageing populations and the impact on women in a cross-country comparison of Australia and Japan. She said that the major determinant and the driving force of the population ageing that both countries are experiencing is the decline in fertility. Different socio-economic characteristics that different age groups possess have a number of economic implications and the issues that are emerging from this structural change need to be addressed.
(Above: Farewell for Ms. Dianne Proctor who retired after 10 years of service with the ARHA)

A concluding statement from Mr Taylor summed up; “providing greater choice for women through such things as education and training, and equality of access is not only good for women but good for an economy facing the challenges of an ageing population.”

The conference was concluded with the unanimous adoption of the declaration by the women parliamentarians on their commitment to population, development and reproductive health issues.

Bangkok Celebrates World Population Day with an International Flavour

World Population Day coincided with the first day of the International AIDS Conference at the Impact Arena in Bangkok on 11th July 2004. Several NGOs, Population and AIDS activists and many international personalities were present, including Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director UNFPA, Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF, Dr. Nafis Sadik, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. The Deputy Minister of Public Health, H.E. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul was the chief guest. The event was organised by UNFPA, Bangkok.

Mr G. Giridhar, Director of UNFPA/CST and Representative for Thailand welcomed participants; International NGOs such as the IPPF, Population Action International, Family Planning Assistance, International Asia Pacific Alliance, UNFPA headquarters staff and UNFPA officials from around the world, as well as university professors and the media. Dr Thoraya Obaid narrated the achievements of ICPD in the last 10 years and pointed out the challenges ahead. She specifically mentioned the financial and human resources needed to fulfil the commitments of ICPD.

Dr. Steven Sinding outlined the work of the IPPF, the oldest and largest NGO providing population and reproductive health services. He focused on the challenge from Conservative quarters that are bent upon negating the population and RH programme and want to put a stop to the wheel of progress; they wish to take away the people’s right to make their own informed decisions.

Dr Nafis Sadik, former Executive Director of UNFPA, and currently the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General on HIV and AIDS, highlighted the relationship of RH and HIV/AIDS. According to Dr. Sadik this is now one of the most pressing issues, which is affecting many countries and their economies. Ms. Barbara Lee, Congresswoman from USA expressed her disappointment at U.S. administration for its shortsighted policies on population and RH issues. Ms. Amy Cohen, President of PAI, expressed the commitment of American NGOs to continuously work with American congress for improved allocation of resources and policy change. Mr Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD was the moderator.

Population and RH Issues at AIDS Conference

The proactive UNFPA and IPPF and several other population NGOs successfully brought population, RH and contraception issues to centre stage at the AIDS conference.

IPPF High Profile Efforts

The IPPF and Family Planning Associations also made a high profile contribution to highlight population, family planning, RH and HIV/AIDS issues at the AIDS Conference.

Dr. Steven Sinding spoke at a session on ‘Access = Life: To Integrate or Not To Integrate’ to discuss the role of integrating sexual and RH programs and HIV/AIDS. Several other sessions also had speakers representing the Family Planning Association and IPPF.

Population Services International (PSI), Family Health International (contraception in the era of HIV/AIDS), IOM and UNDP (HIV/AIDS and population mobility), Swedish Association for Sexuality Education, policy project – (Male Sexual Health in Asia – Pacific, A Way Forward) and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) also organised a session to inform participants about the situation of AIDS vaccine development.

Leadership

The Asia Pacific Leadership Forum were involved in organising some of a number of sessions devoted to leadership. The conference focused specifically on political leadership and several elected representatives actively participated.

Global and Regional Roundtables Reignite the Vision and Spirit of ICPD

FPAs, Civil Society and Parliamentarians Pledge Renewed Strength and Vigour for Implementation

Since 1994 Population and Reproductive Health has made tremendous gains and several countries around the world have started seeing lower birth rates, enhanced status for women and improved reproductive rights for more and more people. Despite this the global birth rate remains high at 2.9% and many countries still need to continue in their struggle to fight for their rights and improve conditions for everyone.

The London Roundtable was organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) with Population Action International (PAI) and Family Care International (FCI). On 31st August the 3 day conference was opened by Mr Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF, charing the session on ‘Hope and Health, Rights and Responsibilities: Achieving the ICPD Agenda’. Speakers included Ms. Lieve Fransen, Head of Human and Social Development in the European Commission, Ms. Nina Puri, President IPPF, Sonia Correa of DAWN, Rana Abu Gazaleh, Youth Activist for Palestine, Fred Sai from Ghana, Mona Zulficar from Egypt and Mr Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chairman of Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD).

In his address Mr. Yatsu complimented the IPPF for their work and assured that he will continue to make efforts for the mobilization of resources from Japan. He talked about the support that Japan has provided and gave a background of parliamentary movement for population issues.

The first plenary session (photograph bottom left), ‘A Different World; the ways in which the world has changed since Cairo and the political, social and economic challenges of the future’ was organised in a conversational style and moderated by a BBC commentator. Among the participants were Ruth Genner, MP Switzerland and President of the Inter European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development, Jorge Nuno, MP Portugal, Pascoal Manuel Mocumbi from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, Jeffrey Sachs, Quetelet Professor at Columbia University and Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA.

Parliamentarian Sessions

Parliamentarians from Regional Groups also actively participated in the Roundtable; Philippine Senator Rodolfo Biazon spoke on ‘War and Peace: understanding and overcoming the opposition to sexual and RH rights’. Ghana Parliamentarian Al-Haji Abdullah Salifu, also President of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development, spoke about ‘Achieving the MDGs: do population and reproductive health matter?’. Ms. Billie Miller of the IAPG spoke in a special interactive session between parliamentarians and the NGOs and Ms. Ulla Sandbaek, Member of the Eurpoean Parliament, was the Parliamentary Liaison for the session ‘The Will to Win: Overcoming the challenges to the ICPD’.

AFPPD Parliamentarian Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP India, moderated the Asian NGO session participated by Mr. Rodolfo Biazon of the Philippines, Senator Dr. Chit Charoenprasert of Thailand and Dr. Surya Chandra Surapathy, MP from Indonesia.

Many Asian NGOs discussed methods for promoting close relationships between Parliamentarians and the NGOs. Similar interactions were also organised by other regional parliamentarian groups. Other parliamentarians who spoke at the Roundtable were Ms. Sylvia N. Ssinabulya, MP Uganda, Ms. Khira Lagha, MP Tunisia, Senator Piedad Córdoba, MP Colombia, Senator Ms. Rose Marie Losier-Cool, MP Canada, Ms. Carina Hägg, MP Sweden, Ms. Sonia Fertuzinhos, MP Portugal, Ms. Irina Krohn, MP Finland, Mr. George Tseretelli, MP Republic of Georgia, Mr. Malahat Hasanova, MP Azerbaijan, Viscount Janric Craigavon, MP UK, Ms. Ulla Sandbaek, MP Denmark, Ms. Anne Van Lancker, MEP, Jeltsje Kemerink, MP The Netherlands and Jehki Harkonen, MP Finland.

The Roundtable provided a forum for many interesting topics with prominent speakers including Tom Merrick, World Bank Institute, Professor Dr. Gita Sen, Indian Institution of Management, Ms. Amy Coen, President, PAI, and Sally Ethelston, Vice President PAI. Ms. Poonam Muttreja of the MacArthur Foundation, India, Steve Kraus, UNFPA, Dr. Raj Karim and Dr. Madhu Bala Nath of IPPF, Terri Bartlett, PAI, Summie Ishi of JOICFP Japan, Susan Rich from the Wallace

Dr. Taro Nakayama, MP Japan and President of the JPFP and APDA spoke at the dinner reception.

Reproductive Health Supply Meeting in UK Parliament

The Inter European Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IEFPPD) and the UN Foundation organised a specific meeting on reproductive health supplies. The meeting was addressed by Dr. Steven Sinding, Ms Thoraya Obaid, Mr Timothy E. Wirth of the UN Foundation, Mr. Lakshman Singh of the AFPPD, Mr. Tony Worthington, MP UK, and Ms. Billie Miller of the IAPG, as well as parliamentarians from Africa.

South Asian Roundtable Formulates Strategies to Face Challenges Ahead

Parliamentarians Highlight Population and Reproductive Health Issues

The focus of the meeting was to review the performance of ICPD beyond the traditional health system approach. It began with a welcome from Ms. Nina Puri, President IPPF, key statements from Ms. Madhu Bala Nath, Regional Director for South Asia IPPF and Mr. Wasim Zaman, Director UNFPA/CST, SAWA, and an inaugural address by the Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Bharat Mohan Adikari.

On the subject of ‘ICPD in the New Millennium’, chaired by Tahira Asif, MP Pakistan, the meeting heard from Prof. Gita Sen, IIM Bangalore on the ICPD performance to date and the challenges that lay ahead. Mr. Richard Leete, UNDP Malaysia, discussed the centrality of ICPD goals in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Mr. Shiv Khare, AFPPD, chaired the session on the topic of ‘Advocacy for ICPD Goals’ with Mr. Abu Sufian, President FPAB Bangladesh. The discussion was lead by Jayabhen Thakkar, MP India on the issue of Mobilising Support for ICPD goals through both the Media and Parliamentarians, with a panel of both media representatives and parliamentarians to provide a variety of perspectives.

A further interesting topic that was discussed during the meeting was ‘Violence as a Multisectoral Issue’. This session was chaired by Ms. Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, Add. Secretary Government of India, NACO project, and was followed by Mr. L.M. Singh Karki, Secretary for Health and Family Welfare for Nepal, chairing ‘Mobilizing Resources for Achieving ICPD Goals’. The latter session involved an overview of population policies and their context in India ten years on from ICPD, and then a series of panel presentations on the subject of ‘Investing in Current Reproductive Health and MDG Challenges’.

South East Asia Roundtable Provides New Direction

Parliamentarians Moving Ahead to Advocate Further Achievements on ICPD Goals

Marking the 10th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in East and South East Asia Region, more than 200 representatives from the government, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the Parliamentarian and Family Planning Association attended the Regional Roundtable on ICPD at 10, which took place on 20th – 23rd July in Kuala Lumpur and was organised by the IPPF South East Asia office, the AFPPD and the APA. The chosen theme for this Roundtable was “Countdown 2015 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights For All”. The Roundtable was opened by The Honorary Lee Kah Choon, Parliamentary Secretary from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. Opening speeches were given by Datuk Dr. Raj Karim,the Regional Director of IPPF ESEAOR, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, AFPPD Chair and MP Japan, Dr. Sea Baick Lee, Regional Chairperson of IPPF ESEAOR and APA, Ms. Valerie DeFillipo, Director of External Affairs, IPPF and Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director UNFPA Asia Pacific Division. The first session ‘Setting the Scene for Sexual and Reproductive Rights’ was chaired by Ms. Valerie DeFillipo and addressed by Mechai Viravaidya, Chairman of the PDA Thailand on population, poverty and sustainable development.

The Roundtable acted as a benchmark for the achievements and progress made towards fulfilling the ICPD Programme of Action since the Cairo Conference in 1994. Key among the discussions was the role of Parliamentarians on Population and Reproductive Health with a session dedicated and led by the Parliamentarians themselves.

RH as Hallmark

Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker for the Parliament of Fiji noted RH as the hallmark of Pacific Parliamentarians support and the impact of HIV/AIDS epidemic as a development issue. He also expressed the need to solicit political support from national leaders and development of regional strategy in national policies through the AFPPD and the Pacific Parliamentarian network.

He was not in favour of the heavy reliance on international funding and encouraged countries to do what it can first and then look to the UNFPA and not the reverse. In similar vein, he said “it is important to attend the world conferences but it is far more significant to attend the regional conference first…” “The advocacy to achieve this end has to be one that is visible, constant, courageous and not withdrawn to trivialities.”

Ms. Steve Chadwick

There has been a 13% increase in HIV/AIDS cases in comparison to previous years since the detection of the first case in 1994 in New Zealand, said Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP New Zealand. She advocated the need for higher priority to be given to reproductive health as nations throughout the world awaken to the reality of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. She stresses the importance to realize as a consequence of the global migration of the population, to not only look after our own country, Australia and the Pacific but to extend to Asia. She contends that the perceptions among politicians on Cairo and ICPD goals remain limited, which is deeply disturbing and it remains a great challenge to educate politicians about what they are doing as well as the evaluation of achievements against those goals. She noted that as parliamentarians, they are interested however have busy schedules and loose focus easily, hence needing prompting by NGOs and civil society to keep parliamentarians enthusiastic, committed and accountable on the various issues.

Dr. Sang Guowei

China is a developing country, with an excessive population, low level of per capital resources and enormous regional parities in social and economic development. It faces several challenges from the huge population size of 1.2 billion and the 13 million annual increase which places great pressure on socio-economic development as well as emerging problems of floating populations and the market economy. Since 1994, China has keenly responded and fulfilled its commitment to ICPD PoA explained Dr. Sang Guowei, Parliamentarian from China, however China still has a long way to go to fulfil the objectives set forth in ICPD PoA and continued efforts should be made.

The list of challenges China faces should not underscore the achievements made by China at ICPD at 10. The Standing Committee of National People’s Congress passed the bill on Population and Family Planning, which introduced the concept of RH into the law while keeping low birth rates on a stable basis. The government’s agenda is to integrate RH and family planning, universal access to compulsory education, empowerment of women, social security and public health.

Dr. J.R. Nereus Acosta

Policy-making is essentially about being able to engage actively, democratically and earnestly with the involvement of various sectors such as the academia, NGOs, civil society, grassroots and churches. Dr. JR Nereus Acosta argued that policymaking surrounding RH is inherently political and presupposes contestation, competition and conflict. He eloquently noted the 5 D’s of conflict and contestation; definitions, discourses, dialogue, discussion and directions and concluded by asking the following question: “what do we work with now and how do we build upon the modest gains we’ve had?”. In order for countries to defend against the Bush administration and the backlash of conservatism, it requires sound research and analysis that garner greater yield beyond UNFPA surveys of government. It must go beyond asking governments what they have done, rather it has to seek deeper into what is happening at the grassroots and the perceptions of people. It is only with widening and deepening can we see a change of ideologies and sensible policy-making. Inevitably, it is one that requires courageous and competent leadership with a long-term view beyond the political life in governments and various leaders.

A number of concurrent sessions ran over the 4 days, including ‘Population, Poverty and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of the Region’, ‘Diversity of Cultures, Laws, Practices and Implications on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Issues’ and ‘Advocating for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights’.

These sessions discussed related issues encompassed by these topics from a number of speakers including Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director of the Asia Pacific Division, UNFPA New York and Ms. Summie Ishi, Executive Director of JOICFP, Japan. Among the moderators for these sessions were Ms. Terri Bartlett, Vice President of PAI, USA, Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP India and Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit M.D, Secretary General, AFPPD Thailand.
A plenary session was devoted to ‘The Way Forward: ICPD

PoA and the MDGs’ by Richard Leete, Resident Coordinator for UNDP Malaysia and was chaired by Datuk Dr. Raj Karim. Parallel tracks also discussed important issues: ‘Emerging Regional Issues in Population and Development’ was addressed by Dr. G. Giridhar, Director UNFPA/CST Bangkok and Mr. Gerald Haberkorn of the South Pacific Commissioners Demography Program spoke on ‘Population and Environment: The Pacific Challenge and the Implementation of the MDGs in the Pacific’. This session was chaired by Ms. Terri Bartlett, Vice President of PAI, USA. Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP New Zealand spoke on ‘Partnership, Collaboration and Networking’ and Mr. Philip Guest of the Population Council, Bangkok dealt with ‘Population and Social Policy; Analyses of Population Policies, Demographic Behaviour, and the Interrelationships between population and Socio Economic Change’.

Dr. Kamarruzaman Ali, Chair of the Family Planning Association, Malaysia chaired a session on ‘Safe Motherhood and New Born Heath with Emphasis on access to Poor and the Marginalized’ and Ms. Nicole Gray of the Hewlett Foundation, USA, chaired a session with Ms. Summie Ishi, Executive Director of JOICFP, who spoke on ‘Advocacy for Resource Mobilization’ and Dr. Gill Greer, Executive Director of New Zealand Family Planning Association, speaking on ‘Partnership, Collaboration and Networking’. Ms. Rashidah Abdullah of ARROW, Malaysia, spoke on ‘Regional Monitoring and Research on ICPD Implementation; Knowledge Management for Advocacy’.

Mr. Kevin Osborne of IPPF, London, talked about ‘HIV/AIDS: Stigma and Discrimination’ and Ms. Josephine Moyo of Partners in Population and Development spoke on the ‘Challenges of ICPD PoA; Responsibilities of Partners in Development and the Issue of Governance’. Prof. Jay Satia of ICOMP discussed ‘Capacity Building: Management, Organizational Effectiveness, Program, Development and Implementation, Policy Dialogue, Sustainability and Experience Sharing’

The Regional Roundtable reflected the hopes, convictions and renewed strength and commitment having evaluated the multitude of complexities and dynamics faced at varying degrees in fulfilling the ICPD PoA. The meeting also reflected the continued commitment of integrating population factors into developmental strategy towards fulfilling the goal of universal primary education, reduction of infant and child mortality, reduction of maternal mortality and access to Sexual and RH services.

Monitoring and Evaluation Training for Parliament Staff

2nd Regional Management Training

The training was a 5 day course held in Bangkok and was the second in the series of skills and capacity building sessions for National Committees (NC) of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. National Committee Staff are responsible for advocacy with parliamentarians and the running of National Committees so in order to implement and improve advocacy with parliamentarians and other elected representatives at a national level, they must be equipped with certain skills.

The 2004 training focused on the monitoring and evaluation of advocacy based projects, proposal writing and management. The main objective of the course was: ‘To enhance the skills and capacity of participants to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate advocacy projects using logical framework analysis and results based management (RBM) tools and techniques.’ Mr. Peter Chen, UNFPA/CST Advisor on Adolescent Reproductive Health, was the chief facilitator of the training workshop. Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General, AFPPD and Mr. G. Giridhar, Director UNFPA/CST made the keynote opening address.

The first session on ‘Advocacy with Parliamentarians in the context of ICPD plus 10’ began with an overview of ICDP+10 and ICPD PoA and the roles of the UNFPA, AFPPD and the National Committees by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director AFPPD and Mr. G. Giridhar, Director UNFPA/CST. The day’s training also included a review of Population Policies and Development Strategies from Mr. Ghazy Mujahid, PPDS Advisor, UNFPA/CST and Ms. Pia Laine, Programme Specialist, BCC/Advocacy UNFPA/CST. Participants also heard from Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS/STI Advisor, UNFPA/CST and Dr. Josephine Sauvarin, RH Advisor, UNFPA/CST.

Among subjects for discussion in session 2 – ‘Positioning Advocacy Interventions in the larger Development Agenda of a Country’, presented by Mr. Peter Chen and Ms. Pia Laine, were ‘Differentiating between Advocacy, Behaviour Change Communication Interventions and Information, Education and Communication’ and ‘Positioning Advocacy Interventions in the Larger Development Agenda in the country’.

‘Planning, Implementation and Management of Advocacy Projects’

The training was structured to review the different aspects of project planning, implementation and management by considering selected National Committees’ activities in these areas, then reviewing of some of the tools and techniques applied to the planning and management of projects. Mr. Alifereti D. Bulivou, Fiji National Parliamentary Committee, moderated the sessions while participants gave presentations of their experiences of the planning and management of advocacy projects in India, Indonesia and the Philippines. Mr. Ghazy Mujahid, PPDS Advisor, UNFPA/CST, conducted a session introducing the group to Problem Tree Analysis and the Results Chain Tool, and then used a case study on HIV/AIDS to develop these skills.

‘An Introduction to Programme Monitoring and Evaluation’

Mr. Manmohan Sharma, Executive Secretary IAPPD, India, moderated presentations and discussions from National Committees of Australia, New Zealand and Vietnam on their country’s experience of monitoring and evaluation. Mr. G Giridhar, Director of UNFPA/CST and Mr. Jayanti Tulashar, Advisor on RH/FP MIS & Logistics, UNFPA/CST then gave presentations and held discussions on an overview of basic monitoring and evaluation, the tools required, and the indicators to measure goals, outcomes and outputs.

The final day, covering the theme ‘Accountability: Financial Management and Accountability and the ICT Network developed by UNDP for parliamentarians’ included a presentation and demonstration from guest speaker Mr. Shahid Akhtar, Programme coordinator for UNDP/APDIP, Malaysia.

The participants’ evaluation provided some interesting and valuable information about all aspects of the training course. Some requested a follow up workshop and further training and many appreciated the opportunity to network and exchange knowledge. One participant commented that “The overall training was stimulating and acted as a catalyst to improve respective projects. It provided a framework to make critical ideas into a structural form that can enhance optimum effectiveness.”

Environmental Problems are Related to Population Issues

Small Islands Need Special Protection
AFPPD Chair, Mr Yatsu addresses Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Conference on Environment and Development at Fiji

Ms. Meyong Sookham, MP (Korea), Chair of APPCED and Chair of CPE Korea (a member of AFPPD) asked that parliamentarians be aware that their environment is becoming degraded to the extent that it will be difficult to repair if immediate steps are not taken. She narrated several examples to prove her point.

Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan) and Chairman of AFPPD, in his address at the opening ceremony, mentioned relationships with the APPCED and Parliament of Fiji and the programme of AFPPD in environmental areas; “The agenda of this assembly is ‘Vulnerable Small Islands: Addressing Barriers to Sustainable Development and the venue is very suitably, Fiji. Here we can witness first hand the reality that is confronting us. Those countries that are falling victims to global warming are the island countries in the Pacific Ocean. Some of these countries will have most of their land below the surface of the Pacific sea. If the sea level rose by just one meter, therefore making it apparent why global warming has become the most serious problem affecting the very existence of these countries. The second issue is that the gases that are causing the ‘Greenhouse Effect’, or global warming, are not produced by the Pacific countries; nor are these countries responsible for the problem. In this respect, these suffering countries are forced to pay the price on the industrialisation of the world simply because their environment is vulnerable.”

“Most of the island countries in the Pacific are on coral reefs and their land area is far from spacious. As the report says, a huge amount of garbage is brought into these cramped islands because of tourism, imported food, and other factors, resulting in a serious environmental problem. Food problems are seen, and reported in the region; the disappearance of traditional eating habits due to Westernisation and the loss of self-reliance in food. There are at the same accompanying serious health hazards that are attributable to an unbalanced diet of fatty food.”

On another front, a large number of poor women are giving birth to unwanted babies, often at the cost of their own lives. Those who suffer most are in the conflict-ridden areas such as Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sudan and Iraq where women and children are the most affected. They suffer directly from such environmental degradation as unsafe drinking water and crop failure.

Advanced countries are suspending their aid on the grounds that “activities related to population problems are infringing on human rights.” Other countries are questioning the scientific foundation for global warming because it goes against their own comfortable way of life.

The Conference discussed issues such as ‘Sustaining Land Ecosystems’, ‘Small Islands and Tourism; finding a balance’ and ‘Trade and Environment’ in various groups and adopted a declaration which urged for the safe guard of the environment of small islands and coral reefs.

Parliamentarians Workshop on National Advocacy and Communication in India

The presentations were based around 3 themes: ‘Is Population Growth in India affecting Development activities’, ‘Women Empowerment and Gender Equity’ and ‘Family Welfare Programme in India Goals and Challenges’. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, MP (BJD), Dr. Chandrakala Pandey, MP (CPI(M)), Ms. Jayaben Thakkar, MP (BJP), Dr. R. Santhu (PMK), Ms. Krishana Tirath, MP (Cong.) and Dr. K. Dhanraju, MP (PMK) were among other prominent Parliamentarians who actively participated in the discussions.

Preparatory Meeting for Strasbourg Conference

A preparatory meeting for the 2004 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action to be held in Strasbourg, France from 18-19 October

2004, was held between UNFPA and Regional/Global Parliamentary Groups on 16 August 2004 in New York City. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Safiye Cagar, Director, Information, Executive Board and Resourse Mobilisation Division, (IERD). Representatives from UNFPA Geographical Division also attended.

The agenda included discussion on the outline and purpose of the IPCA/IPCD Strasbourg Conference and a review of programme for the conference. Ms. Harumi Kadoma of UNFPA and Mr Neil Datta, IFPPD Secretary gave an update of logistical arrangements and preparations of the conference, including information about the parliamentarians’ participation, was presented by regional parliamentary groups including the European Forum, the Inter American Forum, the African Forum and the Asian Forum.

After the meeting regional parliamentary groups met with their respective geographical division representative to discuss final arrangements for the conference.

Parliament Clerks Met in Fiji

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Senior Deputy Director General of South Pacific Commission (SPC), Ms. Urmila Singh, Assistant Representative UNFPA Fiji, Mr Shiv Khare, Executive Director AFPPD and Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Honourable speaker of Fiji addressed the meeting. ‘Population and Development in the Pacific’ was the topic discussed by Mr. Geoff Hayes, UNFPA/CST adviser, and ‘ICPD at 10’ by Dr Annette Sachs Robertson, CST adviser. AFPPD Executive Director explained the ‘Role of Parliamentarians and Clerks in Population Programme’. Other topics discussed included the Population Advocacy Project of UNFPA, intervention strategies and a draft work plan, resource mobilisation for achieving goals and MDGs. The meeting of clerks agreed to work towards the creation of a parliamentarian committee on population health and will also act as gatekeeper of population, development and MDG related issues.

Calender of Events September to December 2004

Global Heath Fund Stakeholders Meet

The Global Health Fund, based in Geneva and a major source of funds for HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, organised a stakeholders meeting at the UN Centre, Bangkok on the 7th – 9th July. The meeting brought together HIV/AIDS prevention and care organisations, other NGOs and parliamentarian groups to review the current situation of civil society involvement, impact of their work and what could be done to further promote their work. Asian and other regional parliamentarian forums working on population and development issues were also invited. AFPPD representative, Mr. Shiv Khare, stressed the need to support the enhancement of political will for HIV/AIDS.

APA Making Progress

The Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) had their steering committee meeting in Bangkok on the 15th and 16th July and reviewed the work of APA and made important decisions for future work. The APA also organised a meeting with Face to Face International in Auckland, New Zealand on 13th and 14th August and discussed plans on some specific programmes and projects including resource mobilisation.