Putting population, youth issues on their agenda

Rufina Latu
Population issues are fundamental to the socio-economic development of a country.  How large is the population in relation to resources? Is population size placing pressure on the economy and environment? How fast is the population growing? Where do these people live? Is the average family size too large? What are the causes of fast growth? Which age groups are growing fastest? What is the rural/urban distribution? How fast are urban areas growing? What are the causes of urban growth and changing urban/rural distribution?

The relationship between population and development stems from how the dynamics of demographic factors impact on the economy, society, health, the environment, justice and equity—and vice versa. Rapid population growth slows down economic growth and development. High birth rates contribute to poor health, unemployment, gender inequality and socio-economic difficulties, and ultimately affect the quality of life of families and nations.

All these issues, and many more, continue to pose developmental challenges in Pacific Islands countries. Pacific Islands leaders have long been concerned with population issues. They have met several times in the last two decades to discuss population and development issues.

In response to the call to support the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Plan of Action, UNFPA sponsored a meeting for Pacific parliamentarians in Fiji in 1997 to discuss how collaboration could support population and development issues in the region.

The meeting resulted in the formation of the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD), the members of which comprise parliamentarians from Pacific Islands countries.

WHY PARLIAMENTARIANS PPAPD aims to engage parliamentarians and national leaders in population and development programmes in an effort to mobilise political support and translate commitments and support into action. Because they are national leaders with the mandate and public trust to act in the interests of the people, parliamentarians can facilitate raising awareness for population and development issues, mobilise resources, support policy and legislative changes, and put population and development on the political agenda.

Parliamentary clerks can help to facilitate the work of parliamentarians to support population activities.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) provides support and assistance to the PPAPD secretariat, while the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) contributes to the funding of the association. UNFPA and SPC are committed to working with parliamentarians through advocacy and strengthening political will to support population and development issues.

In April 2004, UNFPA supported a four-year population advocacy project aimed at developing practical approaches to mobilising parliamentarians and national leaders to pledge political commitment and allocation of appropriate resources to address population and development issues, including reproductive health.

One of the most urgent population and development issues is the spread of HIV. The inaugural meeting of Pacific parliamentarians on their role in the fight against HIV and AIDS was the first of its kind in the region.

The three-day meeting held in Fiji in 2004 provided a forum for informing parliamentarians about basic facts on HIV—what it is, how it is spread, its effects on those who are infected, and its wider psycho-social, cultural and economic impact on individuals, families and nations.

The meeting, which was attended by more than 70 Pacific parliamentarians and a further 70 HIV and AIDS advocates, encouraged the parliamentarians to become champions in leading the fight against HIV and AIDS in their communities.

The meeting culminated in the signing of the Suva Declaration on HIV/AIDS by Pacific parliamentarians, documenting their support, commitments and action in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

Sexual and reproductive health issues—particularly in regard to young people—remain high on the population and development agenda. PPAPD meetings have documented that parliamentary support is needed because the challenges are increasing. Greater political commitment and willingness on the part of Pacific leaders is required.

They need to speak out more openly and frequently about the issues. They also need to progress beyond talking—taking action is long overdue and must be pursued vigorously.

In May 2007, the next PPAPD meeting to be held in Samoa will focus on issues surrounding health and development of our young people today. The regional meeting, organised by PPAPD in collaboration with SPC, UNFPA, UNICEF, AusAID, NZAID and other support agencies, aims to engage Pacific parliamentarians in action-oriented discussions about youth development issues, with a special focus on sexual and reproductive health.

Youth issues will be discussed in the context of the Pacific Youth Strategy 2010, the Pacific Plan and the Millennium Development Goals. The role of Pacific parliamentarians is crucial in safeguarding the lives of young people in a rapidly changing environment.

It is hoped that the May meeting will result in the development of mechanisms to foster partnerships among parliamentarians, governments, development partners and non-governmental organisations to respond effectively to youth development issues, including youth unemployment, substance abuse, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, unplanned teenage pregnancy, and gender issues.

A question that the meeting will discuss is ‘What can we, as parliamentarians of today, undertake to benefit our future generations?'

• Dr Rufina Latu is the Adviser for the Adolescent Health and Development Project at SPC.