INFORMATION SERVICE

March - April 2004

Study Visit of New Zealand and Pacific Parliamentarians

Parliamentarians from New Zealand and the Pacific conducted a study tour of Indo-China countries in April.  They first visited Vietnam followed by Cambodia and finished their trip in Bangkok before returning home.  Three members of parliament from New Zealand, one from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Samoa received first hand knowledge about the HIV/AIDS situation during their two-day visit to Bangkok from 21-22 April.  Whilst in Bangkok the group was briefed by three agencies that are integral in the HIV/AIDS cause in Thailand.  On their first day they were briefed by Mr. Montri Pekana, Deputy Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Association of Thailand (PPAT) on the situation of HIV/AIDS in Thailand, the efforts made by the government and other agencies and the prevention and treatment strategies.  The work of PPAT on HIV/AIDS was the important topics discussed.  Later that evening Senator Meechai Viravaidya, Chairman of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA) spoke to the parliamentarians on PDA’s work and the strategies taken that deal with the issues.  He emphasized that special focus needs to be given to young people and that the message of HIV/AIDS and use of condom be distributed, citing many examples on the effort that PDA has done in promoting condom use and education.  The following day Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS and STI Adviser of UNFPA/CST briefed the parliamentarians.  He gave them the dynamics of HIV/AIDS in Thailand and nearby countries.  Mr. Tony Lisle, Team Leader of UNAIDS and Mr. Tony Bates of APLF briefed them on the UNAIDS projects and it’s impact and their work in promoting political commitment through APLF.  They later went to the parliament for lunch hosted by the Senate Standing Committee on Public Health, under the Chairmanship of Dr. Virapong Skolkitvat and General Panya Yoonprasert, First-Chair at this point they were given information on the work of the Senate Standing Committee and monitoring of HIV/AIDS Programme.  They were also informed about the Tambon leaders education and training in HIV/AIDS supported by AFPPD.

Shin Sakurai Addresses FAO Regional Workshop

Mr. Shin Sakurai, MP Japan Chairman of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Food Security was invited to a two-day Regional Workshop that was jointly organised by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO-RAP) and SEAMEO Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) from 25-26 March 2004 in Cha-Am, Thailand.  The Workshop was on Policy Issues and Investment Options to Avert Hunger and Food Insecurity in Asia and it’s primarily aim was to expand and strengthen the regional alliance against hunger by addressing the policy and institutional dimensions of agricultural and rural development.  Mr. Shin Sakurai was accompanied by Mr. Osamu Kusumoto, Assistant Secretary General, APDA.  He addressed the workshop on the opening day.

Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director of APD UNFPA Visits Bangkok and AFPPD

Mr. Sultan Aziz, New Director of the Asia-Pacific Division of UNFPA was in Bangkok and met officers of UNESCAP, UNESCO, UNFPA.  He also visited office of the AFPPD and discussed programme for the coming year.

Fourth Council Meeting of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development – Ankara, Turkey

The 4th Council Meeting of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development was held in Ankara, Turkey from 1-2 April at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey with a visit to Istanbul for the delegates from 3-4 April.  It was addressed by Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA and Mr. Steve Sinding, Director General of IPPF.  Representing AFPPD was Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD. (Details in AFPPD Newsletter) 

Mr. Sang Guowei of China attends 60^th Session of UNESCAP in Shanghai, China  

The 60th Session of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) was held in Shanghai, China from the 22nd to the 28th of April. The theme of the meeting was ‘Meeting the Challenges in an Era of Globalisation by Strengthening Regional Development Cooperation.’ Discussions focused upon regional, economic and social situations, poverty alleviation and globalisation.The Asian Forum was represented by one of its Vice Presidents, Dr. Sang Guowei MP China, who is also NPC Vice-Chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee.

  APDA Resource Series on Water and Population

  Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) Tokyo has published it’s resource series No. 30 on Global Population and Water in Japanese.  Copies can be obtained from APDA Tokyo email: apdatyoj@gol.com.

  AFPPD Alumni Becomes Sri Lanka Health Minister

  Dr. Nirmal Sripala De Silva, MP of Sri Lanka, who represented AFPPD at the Ottawa Parliamentarians Conference and a few others, have been re-elected.  He is now appointed as the Minister of Health Care, Nutrition.  Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Chair of AFPPD has sent a letter of congratulations to Dr. De Silva.  

Philippines March for RH Rights  

In April, 12,000 Filipinos holding signs and banners - many of which bore the slogan ‘A vote for reproductive health is a vote for life,' - rallied through the streets of Manila in support of reproductive health and rights. PLCPD, in collaboration with several other NGOs organised the march. Senator Biazon spoke as the chief guest. Prominent RH leaders including some government officials (POPCOM) participated in this mass relay. In support of the population and RH programme are UNFPA along with government, NGOs, international foundations and AFPPD.  PLCPD is a member of AFPPD.  The Philippines will have elections on the 12^th of May.

Abortion Rights Protest March in Washington DC - Photo

Over one million pro-choice supporters marched on the 25^th of April, galvanised by what they see as an erosion of reproductive freedoms under President Bush and policies that hurt women worldwide. The march was led by entertainment world celebrities and seven organising groups: American Civil Liberties Union, Black Women’s Health Imperative, Feminist Majority, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Organisation for Women, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 

A Great Loss for AFPPD and Friends

It is with deep regret that AFPPD informs you of the passing away of Prof. Ton That Bach.  Prof. Ton That Bach, Chairman of IMPO Vietnam died of a heat attack at 58 years of age, while on a trip to monitor the health care programme for indigenous and poor people in Northern Vietnam.  He has always been an active participant in AFPPD and IMPO activities through the years.  We would like to send our condolence to his colleagues, friends and family in Vietnam.