Youth, civil society meet on Population, Development issues
Youth and civil society are the heart of a series of reviews for the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action.
The first global review will be held by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), as part of the 2nd Dialogue and Retreat of the Alliance of Southern Civil Society in Global Health.
The meeting, organized by the Centre for Health Sciences Training, Research and Development (CHESTRAD), and co-sponsored by the Governments of Ghana and Nigeria, will be held from 3 to 9 March 2012, with UNFPA’s Civil Society Stakeholder consultations taking place 5-6 March, a UNFPA press release said.
Titled, “Access, Effectiveness, Results and Accountability: Deepening Southern Engagement in Global Health,” the conference will include dialogue with capacity enabling sessions featuring leaders from around the region and the world.
“This is our first opportunity at the regional level to really listen and engage with civil society and young people about their contribution to the review of the ICPD Programme of Action,” says Kwabena Osei-Danquah, Executive Coordinator of UNFPA’s ICPD Beyond 2014 Coordination Secretariat.
“It is our goal to create a good quality review that truly reflects the needs of people, and will enable governments and communities to address their issues more effectively.”
While young leaders are less familiar with the 1994 conference in Cairo, its Programme of Action remains just as relevant to their lives as when it was initially adopted.
The outcome document encourages economic growth and sustainable development through a commitment to all human beings and their right to pursue healthy and productive lives without discrimination.
“We are conducting these consultations to share information, listen and give civil society and youth a platform at both the national and regional levels,” adds Mr. Osei-Danquah, who was born in Accra.
“These meetings give us the chance to gather credible information so we can respond to people regarding their needs, their health, their livelihood, and then come out with solid recommendations for moving toward a better life where everyone does count,” Osei-Danquah said.
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