Choices and responsibilities: finding the balance.

Publisher: United Nations Office of Public Information Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 8305532 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0251-7329 (Print) Linking ISSN: 02517329 NLM ISO Abbreviation: UN Chron

Original Publication: [New York] : United Nations Office of Public Information, [1975-1996]

Conservation of Natural Resources* ; Evaluation Studies as Topic* ; Family Planning Services* ; Health Planning* ; Health Services Needs and Demand* ; Population Growth* ; Social Planning* ; United Nations*; Demography ; Economics ; Environment ; International Agencies ; Organization and Administration ; Organizations ; Population ; Population Dynamics

Indexing Agency: PIP Local ID #: 099548. Indexing Agency: POP Local ID #: 00244090.
Keywords: Critique*; Demographic Factors; Development Planning*; Economic Development; Economic Factors; Environment; Environmental Degradation*; Family Planning*; International Agencies; Needs*; Organization And Administration; Organizations; Population; Population Dynamics; Population Growth*; Program Design*; Programs; Sustainable Development*; Un*; World Population Conferences*
Note: TJ: UN CHRONICLE
Local Abstract: [PIP] Rapid population growth means the addition of a billion more people in 11 years. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), scheduled for September 5-13, 1994, will address the issue of population growth and design strategies for slower growth with economic development and environmental protection. This article summarizes Dr. Nafis Sadik's special preparatory message about the conference. The ICPD will address the issues of reproductive health, affordable family planning (FP), and informed choice. There will be an emphasis on better health care, housing, education, and other poverty alleviation measures. Empowerment of women through educational and economic opportunity and increased foreign aid are also themes. Improvements in the quality of life as well as demographic and social change are required. The key to slowing population growth is to meet the need for FP services to reduce fertility. Reexamination of the life-styles of the more affluent is also required. Needs and resources must be balanced. Sustainable development and resource use will depend upon slower population growth, more rational population distribution, alleviation of poverty, environmentally safer consumption patterns, and other measures. The 1994 draft plan of action has a broad mandate which recognizes the linkages between population and development. Target dates and reproductive rights language are bracketed and will be discussed during the conference. Quantitative goals are set for education, child and maternal mortality reduction, and universal access to FP and reproductive health services. The public should be made aware of the development and population links. Developing countries are asked to devote 20% of their government budget to social development. Countries by their action or inaction will choose a world population size in 2015 ranging from 7.27 to 7.92 billion. The difference of 660 million in 20 years is equal to the current population in Africa. The high projection for 2050 is 12.5 billion people. The ICPD will be the last global opportunity before the turn of the century to address the challenges of shared responsibility for the future of life on earth.

Date Created: 19940901 Date Completed: 19951101 Latest Revision: 20071115

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