Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development Furthering

Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development Furthering Political Commitment A n A F P P D Act i v i t ie s Re p o rt of 2 0 0 4 iv i e Rep o f 00 1 2004 AFPPD Office Bearers Chairman Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan Vice-Chairpersons Dr. Sang Guowei, MP China Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, MP Speaker of the Parliament Fiji Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP India Sen. Beksultan S. Tutkushev Kazakhstan Mme. Ngueyn Thi Hoai Thu, MP Vietnam Secretary General Sen. Malinee Sukavejworakit Thailand Deputy Secretary General AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Rep. J. R. Nereus O. Acosta Philippines Treasurer Datuk Paduka Hajjah Rohani Abdul Karim. MP Malaysia Member Ms. Kelly Hoare, MP Chair, Standing Committee on Women Australia 2 Executive Director Mr. Shiv Khare Furthering the Involvement of Elected Representatives AFPPD Programme and Action In 2004 - Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development 3 Table of Content BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................................... 5 AFPPD EVENTS ...................................................................................................................... 9 STUDY VISITS ...................................................................................................................... 17 ICPD AT 10 ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................... 21 AFPPD’S OUTREACH ......................................................................................................... 25 ACTION AT NATIONAL LEVEL ....................................................................................... 29 AUSTRALIA ........................................................................................................................... 30 BANGLADESH ....................................................................................................................... 31 FIJI ........................................................................................................................................ 31 JAPAN ................................................................................................................................... 31 KAZAKHSTAN ....................................................................................................................... 33 KOREA .................................................................................................................................. 33 KYRGYZSTAN ....................................................................................................................... 33 LAOS ..................................................................................................................................... 34 MALAYSIA ............................................................................................................................ 34 MONGOLIA............................................................................................................................ 35 NEW ZEALAND ..................................................................................................................... 36 THE PHILIPPINES ................................................................................................................... 37 SRI LANKA............................................................................................................................ 41 THAILAND ............................................................................................................................. 41 VIETNAM .............................................................................................................................. 42 CALENDER OF AFPPD EVENTS IN 2004 .............................................................................. 43 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report 4 Background elections in the region resulting in new parliamentarians 2004 was the year of 5 Background Background The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) is a coordinating body of National Committees of Parliamentarians on Population and Development working to generate support and perpetuate cooperation among Asian parliamentarians in the area of population and development and related fields. AFPPD has been working to educate, motivate and involve members of parliament in population and development related programmes since 1981, and has been encouraging them to better understand and provide political support for the speedy implementation of the ICPD programme of action since Cairo 1994. The Asian Forum is committed to facilitating the strengthening of National Parliamentarian Committees of Asia and the Pacific which work in the field of population and development, and all other related areas such as: population, reproductive health, family planning, poverty, unemployment, food security, water resources, sustainable development, environment, ageing, urbanization, migration, HIV/AIDS, and women’s status and gender equality. Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director of Asia-Pacific Division, UNFPA visited AFPPD in early 2004 grammes conducted by AFPPD in recent years include the Asian Women Parliamentarians Conference in Manila and Canberra, International Medical Parliamentarians Conference in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, Capacity Building Training Workshop on Advocacy and Monitoring and Evaluation, Central Asian meeting in Kyrgyzstan and APDA Seminar in Almaty and HIV/AIDS related events in Bangkok and Fiji and conferences related to ICPD at 10. More recently, however, there has been increased focus on national level activities including legislation review, monitoring of programme implementation, and advocacy at the constituency level and two special initiatives ie person to person advocacy and professional parliamentarians advocacy. The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) has had a busy year with the ICPD at 10 meetings that have been held worldwide. It was a year with active participation from AFPPD parliamentarians in all of the activities, despite elections that have taken place in many countries in 2004. AFPPD organized five regional events with 6 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report AFPPD, through its twenty-four National Committees, has been involving elected representatives by organising national, sub-regional, and regional level seminars, workshops and conferences. It also conducts study visits and training courses as a means of assisting parliamentarians to increase their level of knowledge, make important information more readily available to them, enhance their motivation, and encourage them to be more involved in the areas surrounding ICPD issues. Some of the more specific pro- Background participation from 223 elected representatives plus 38 national committee staff that attended the regional training course. There were another 12 international events, where AFPPD participated or co organized with approximately 70 Asian parliamentarians attending these events. There were also three study visits conducted in Thailand this year from New Zealand, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The year has also brought new collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) allowing AFPPD to focus on the impact of environment on population and development. The project with UNEP will commence in 2005. The year 2004 has reflected the successful cooperation between the regional parliamentary groups, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, UNFPA Headquarters, country offices and Regional UNFPA/CST. This reinforces and encourages the purpose and work AFPPD does to create change and make a difference. It is evident that it is only through our collaboration with parliaments, UNFPA and other agencies that parliamentary forums can be truly effective. Also in an effort to mobilize more parliamentarians from each country a sector wide approach was adopted and a workshop for parliamentarians with an education background (teachers and professors) and parliamentarians with legal background (lawyers and advocates) was initiated. Women parliamentarian events are already being organised. Person-to-person advocacy will be extended in 2005 to Laos and India because of the positive outcome in other countries. Elections Recap in the Region There were elections held throughout the region in 2004. All population advocates and AFPPD alumni in Japan were re-elected and we report to you with happiness and satisfaction that in elections in India, Korea and the Philippines a large number of population activities and AFPPD participants have been reelected. One of the most significant news is that Mr. Hae Chan Lee Chairman, Korean Parliamentary League On Children, Population and Environment is now the Prime Minister of Korea. In India, Mr.P.Chitammabram is the Minister of Finance; he was a Speaker at the International Forum of Parliamentarians on ICPD Review at The Hague in 1999. Mr. Prathvi Raj Chauhan, MP participated at the November 2003 AIDS Vaccine Workshop of AFPPD is now Minister in the Prime Ministers office Mr. V. Rajsekhaun is now Minister for Planning Commisssion and several other participants have also been reelected in the Indian Parliament. Similarly all population activists in the Philippines including our own Rep. Dr. J. R. Nereus O. Acosta, member of the AFPPD Executive committee has been re-elected. The PLCPD co- IEPFPD 4th Council Meeting in Turkey L to R: Senator Mary Henry, Senator Malinee Sukavejworakit MD., Mrs. Marjatta Vehkoaja MEP and Ms. Imelda Henkin. 7 chair Congressman Bellaflor Angara-Castillo is now Governor of her home province of Aurora. In Sri Lanka Dr. Nimal Siripala De Silva, who attended the Ottawa International Conference of Parliamentarians on Population and Development on ICPD has become Minister of Health. The only loss was of Dr. Surya Chandra Surapathy of Indonesia (Chair of IFPPD), who did not get elected and Dato’ Napsiah Binti Omer. MP (Malaysia), AFPPD Treasurer, who did not contest. Now there are two AFPPD alumni who are Prime Ministers, H.E Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia and H.E. Mr. Hae Chan Lee from Korea and a Minister of Finance and a Planning Minister in India and a Health Minister in Sri Lanka. Apart from this we now have new additions to AFPPD alumnus, they are women ministers from several countries from the Asia-Pacific, who attended the Canberra Conference. AFPPD also welcomed the new Director of UNFPA Asia-Pacific Division, Mr. Sultan Aziz, a national of Afghanistan. He visited AFPPD secretariat to get acquainted with the workings of AFPPD and he was briefed about the objectives and impact of AFPPD’s work. AFPPD would like to take the opportunity to express a deep sense of gratitude to UNFPA and IPPF for their support in making the ICPD at 10 a very effective year. Our special thanks to UNFPA, especially Ms. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, Ms. Imelda Henkin, and Mr. Kunio Waki, both Deputy Executive Directors, UNFPA, Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director APD, Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy, Mr. Satish Mehra, Senior Advisor, Ms. Shahana Chattaraj, Ms. Safiye Cagar and Ms. Harumi Kodama of IERD UNFPA, Mr. G. Giridhar, Director UNFPA/CST Bangkok and Mr. Wasim Zaman, Director of UNPFA/ CST Kathmandu and Country Representatives for their constant support and help. AFPPD thanks Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF and Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director of IPPF ESEAOR, who have provided continual support to AFPPD. We would also like to thank Mr. Neil Datta of IEPFPD, Ms. Carla Riveria of IAPG and Mr. Joseph Atiku of FAAPPD and Mr. Michio Ozaki and Mr. Osamu Kusumoto of APDA for their close cooperation and partnership. Our special thanks to Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Chairman of AFPPD and Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit for their day to day guidance and support and commitment to AFPPD. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report H.E. Hae Chan Lee H.E. Badawi Senator Rodolfo Biazon Mr. Prithviraj Chavan, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office 8 AFPPD Events Multi -sectoral integrated approach marking impact 9 AFPPD Events The 2nd Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference in Canberra, Australia In an effort to sustain the momentum generated by the Manila Declaration in 2003 and further enhance gender sensitive political commitments on policies and proKelly Hoare, MP and Chairperson grams in accordance AFPPD Standing Committee on with the ICPD prinWomen ciples and recommendations, the 3rd Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference was held at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on 29-30, June 2004. It was addressed by Ms. Imelda Henkin, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan) AFPPD Chairman, Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General AFPPD and was opened by Senator the Honourable Kay Patterson, Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on the Status of Women. lenges in policymaking and program implementation relating to population, development, reproductive health and gender empowerment Provide a women’s perspective of achievements relating to population, development and reproductive health. Promote a greater understanding of the pressing population, development and reproductive health issues in the Asia Pacific region. Propose a declaration calling on countries to empower women, eliminate violence against women, and adopt gender sensitive policies and programmes that support the ICPD PoA. A total of 126 participants attended the conference, including 73 women parliamentarians and ministers from 22 countries within the Asia Pacific region, UNFPA and UNIFEM officials, APPGPD members, and observers from multilateral and bilateral agencies, non-governmental organizations and the media. The Conference consisted of four sessions, which focused on Women and ICPD+10 (Session One), Elimination of Violence Against Women (Session Two), Reproductive Health Rights and Gender Equity (Session Three), and Women’s Participation and Leadership for Change (Session Four). Presentations were given by resource persons from UNFPA, UNESCAP, The Futures Group, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Australian National University, AusAID, Marie Stopes International Australia, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation. Major highlights of the conference included in 10 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report The All Party Parliamentary Group on Population and Development and Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) and the Asian for Parliamentarians on Population and Development Forum (AFPPD) organized the conference in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Parliament of Australia. It aimed to: Provide a forum for an exchange of success stories and practices and remaining chal- AFPPD Events depth discussions on the experiences of participating countries in implementing the ICPD Programme of Action, specific lessons learned by Pacific countries in eliminating violen ce a ga in st Dr. Raj Karim making her presenwomen, and the tation at the Women’s Conference importance of enhancing the level of public involvement of women parliamentarians in population, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS issues. The conference concluded with the adoption of the ‘Canberra Declaration,’ calling on countries to commit to equality and equity and the empowerment of women, elimination of all kinds of violence against women, as well as reproductive health and control of fertility. empowerment of women parliamentarians. Women issues, such, as violence against women and women’s rights, is a key subject in which we emphasize to parliamentarians and is always a main focus during our conferences. AFPPD’s Standing Committee on Women Parliamentarians objective is to give direction to all of our AFPPD women related programmes. The AFPPD Standing Committee on Women met in Canberra, Australia on 29 June 2004, Chaired by Ms. Kelly Hoare, MP (Australia). The committee decided to support new innovative ideas that are linked with women legislation and women issues. Emphasizing that this should be on the country/national level. Members continued with discussion of possible women supported activities and the possibility of more female representation. The possibility of organizing a meeting for male parliamentarians on women issues was suggested and the possibility of including male parliamentarians to the Women parliamentarians and ministers conference. Standing Committee on Women The Asian Forum since it’s formation has given special emphasis on women’s participation and encourages the enhanced role of women parliamentarians not only in AFPPD, but also at national level. Therefore a provision of a Standing Committee on Women was made and Senator Laticia Sahaney, Former Under Secretary General of the UN was elected as the Chair in the early 80’s. In year 2002 at the AFPPD General Assembly in Beijing (October 2002), the new Standing Committee on Women was elected under the leadership of Ms. Kelly Hoare, MP of Australia, who has taken a sincere interest in the activities of the Executive Committee Mandates to work in new areas This year the first Executive Committee meeting was delayed and held in July due to the elections that were held throughout the beginning of the year. AFPPD held it’s 53rd Executive Committee Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20 July 2004. It was scheduled at the same venue as the “Countdown 2015: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All” IPPF-ESEAOR Roundtable. The meeting was held under the 11 Chairmanship of Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan) and attended by Mr. Bill Musoke, of UNFPA New York. The Executives reviewed AFPPD’s progress and approved future collaboration of AFPPD with UNAIDS, APLF and UNEP and mandated to work in educating elected representatives on the inter-relationship of population growth with environment, climate change including trafficking and urbanization. Approval was also received for some national programmes and for AFPPD’s participation in the International Parliamentarians Conference on ICPD at 10 in Strasbourg, France. The Executive Committee also welcomed Dato Rohina Karim, MP Malaysia and new Treasurer of AFPPD and Ms. Christina Richards, new CEO of the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance. AFPPD held it’s 54th Executive Committee Meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan on 28 September 2004. It was held during the 20th Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development Programme. It was Chaired by Senator Tutkushev, Kazakhstan. The meeting was attended by Mr. Kunio Waki, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Ms. Safiye Cagar, Director IERD UNFPA. Members reviewed AFPPD’s progress and approved national programmes for 2005 under the Japan Trust Fund and update of AFPPD programmes until December 2004. The committee discussed the International Parliamentarians Conference in Strasbourg and Asian participation to the conference. Capacity Development of Parliamentary Staff The number of full time staff in the National Parliamentary Committee/Parliament Health and Population Commissions have grown to around 100, thus a need to equip them with advocacy, management and evaluation skills is being felt and parliamentary committees have been looking to AFPPD for such assistance. The AFPPD approached UNFPA/CST for cooperation and the first Asia-Pacific Central Asian Training on Advocacy Skills was organized with UNFPA/ CST Bangkok under the guidance of Mr. Giridhar Giri in July 2003. The technical quality of the training was quite high as all the CST advisers were resource persons. The second regional training course on monitoring and evaluation was organized on 26-30 July in Bangkok in close cooperation with UNFPA/ CST. The main objective of the course was “To enhance the skills and capacity of parliamentary staff to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate advocacy projects using logical framework analysis and results based management (RBM) tools and techniques.” Mr. Giridhar Giri and Mr. Peter Chen with other advisers conducted the training. Seeing the quality of the training the Africa Division Director Ms. Faa Ma Ba sponsored the FAAPPD Executive Director for Training and a one week on site training in AFPPD. 12 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report L to R: Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatiaku, Speaker Fiji, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit and Mr. Shiv Khare at the KL Executive Committee Meeting AFPPD Events Fiji, H.E. Laisenia Arase and Mr. Keneti Fautato, Assistant Regional Coordinator of UNEP for the Pacific. The opening ceremony was chaired by Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of Fiji Parliament. The three-day discussion led to a declaration, which connected environment to population size and growth. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu also paid his respects to the Hon. Dr. Apenisa Kurisaqila former Speaker of Fiji and Vice-President of AFPPD, who died a few years ago, by visiting his tomb and family. • Pacific Parliament Clerks Meeting UNFPA and Fiji Parliament also hosted a back-to-back meeting of Parliament clerks from the Pacific, as they are the gateway to their parliaments. Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director presented AFPPD programme and the scope of the possibilities of participation of Pacific parliamentarians and their parliament. • Pacific Parliamentarians Assembly AFPPD promoted the idea of a Pacific Parliamentarians Sub Committee of AFPPD, which then became a Pacific Parliamentarian Assembly on Population and Development at a UNFPA convened Pacific Parliamentarians Conference at Suva in 2003 with the Fiji Speaker representing Pacific interest in AFPPD. It was been reconfirmed that Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development will be an extended arm of AFPPD. The Assembly is funded by UNFPA with a contract through SPC and it will be based at the Parliament of Fiji. National Committee Training Staff and UNFP/CST Advisor Training on Monitoring and Evaluation There were thirty-eight participants from various national committees and eight resource persons from UNFPA/CST and one from UNDP Malaysia, who conducted the training. Dr. Giridhar Giri, Director UNFPA/CST and Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit opened the training course. Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development More than 75 Members of Parliament from the Asia-Pacific countries assembled at the Asia Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development (APPCED) organized by the Parliament of Fiji, initiated by Commission on Population and Environment (CPE) of Korea (an AFPPD member). The meeting was held in Suva, Fiji from 18-20 August 2004. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan) and Chair of AFPPD in his address asked that parliamentarians to be aware of their environment and it’s degrading progress as it will be difficult to repair if immediate steps are not taken. The conference was also addressed by Mrs. Meyong Soo Han, MP (Korea) and Chair of APPCED, Hon. Prime Minister of 13 Parliamentarians for HIV/AIDS Prevention among Young People in Asia and the Pacific The Regional Consultative Workshop of parliamentarians on HIV/AIDS Prevention among Young People in Asia and the Pacific was one component of a two-year project conducted by UNFPA-UNAIDS-IPPF-AIDCOM and AFPPD. The long-term goal of this project is to contribute to the reduction of HIV/AIDS transmission, vulnerability and impact with objectives that include: • effective mobilization of regional, political and public support including that of top level leaders, in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic; and • strengthening of evidence-based advocacy of programmes and policies to assist governments address HIV prevention, particularly in the RH context focusing on young people and pregnant women, with emphasis on gender concerns and reduction of stigma related to HIV/AIDS. An advocacy intervention package for HIV prevention among young people was developed in the last two years and was introduced at this workshop to parliamentarians. Consultation with parliamentarians was an integral part of the project, which was to have taken place in Bali from 22-24 September 2004, but was later, moved to Bangkok due to the bombing in Jakarta. The meeting was atMr. G. Giridhar, Director –UNFPA/ CST East and South East Asia at the tended by approximately workshop 40 parliamentarians from 8 countries. Prominent among the parliamentarians was Dr. Sumaryati Arjoso, SKM, Chair of BKKBN, Indonesia, Dr. Abeykoon, Director of Population Division, Government of Sri Lanka, Programme Officers from UNFPA Country offices for Sri Lanka, Indonesia and PNG and other parliamentarians from India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and PNG. UNFPA/CST Bangkok helped conduct the consultation. Pacific Parliamentarians Address issue of HIV/AIDS in the Region AFPPD Executive Committee Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last July 2004 agreed to fund a joint AFPPD and UNFPA Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on HIV/AIDS, which was held in Suva, Fiji from 11-13 October. This conference was the first for the Pacific Parliamentarians on “The Role of Pacific Parliamentarians in the fight Against HIV/AIDS”. It was hosted by the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAD) and AFPPD in conjunction with UNFPA, the secretariat of the committee and AFPPD. It was the first initiative by PPAD, after the monumental Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting which was held in Samoa in August 2004, where heads of government from the region approved the “Pacific Regional Strategy on HIV/AIDS” for the period 2004-2008. The conference was opened by Hon. Laisenia Qarase, Prime Minister of Fiji and the keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General and Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS for the Asia-Pacific. Welcome remark was given by Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Fiji and Vice-Chairperson of AFPPD, 14 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report AFPPD Events also addressing the participants was Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit of Thailand, Secretary General of AFPPD and Mr. Peter Witham, UN Resident Coordinator. An opening address from the Prime Minister H. E. Dato’ Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was presented by the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office Hon. Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Bin Tan Sri Abdul Aziz, MP. Other dignitaries who adInternational Medical Parliamentarians on dressed the conference were H.E. Abdul Hamid Bin Pawanthe, Hon. President of Malaysian SenMDG, Poverty and Health ate, Dr. Taro Nakayama, President of IMPO, The Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Popu- Prof. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, Honorable Secrelation and Development (AFPPD) in cooperation tary General of IMPO and Dr. Malinee Sukavewith IMPO, UNFPA and the Government of Ja- jworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD. There pan and AFPPD Malaysia organized the 6th In- were experts from UNFPA, WHO, IPPF and other UN agencies ternational Medithat gave presentacal Parliamentaritions ranging from ans Conference Millennium Develwith an Asian Foopment Goals, cus on “MDG’s Health, DevelopPoverty and ment Policy, ReproHealth: Connectductive Health, Adoing Parliamentarilescent Reproductive ans with Ground Health and DevelopRealities” as a folment, HIV/AIDS low-up to the 5th and Maternal/Child International Health and Gender Medical Parliaas well as panel dismentarians Concussions on ground ference held in to R: President Malaysian Senate; Dr. Prasop RatanaBangkok, Thai- L korn, H.E. Hamid Bin Pawanthe,Hon. DatukofSeri Mohamed NazriProf. tan Sri Abdul Aziz realities of poverty Secretary General, IMPO; Bin Prime Ministers Office; Dr. land from 6-7 De- Minister of the Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit Taro Nakayama, MP (Japan) and President of and health and the IMPO, (Thailand), Secretary General AFPPD role of parliamencember 2003. tarians. The Asian Medical Parliamentarians Conference discussed issues such as poverty, MDG’s and its Members of Parliaments attending the IMPO impact on health including reproductive health. Conference adopted a set of commitments after a Roles of medical parliamentarians in promoting very passionate and comprehensive discussions these issues were also discussed. Efforts were on issues relating to MDGs and the role of medimade to expose medical parliamentarians with cal parliamentarians. The result was a unanicase studies so that they are informed of real mous adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Statement, which stated their pledge to use their status as situations from different parts of Asia. health care professionals with a high level of 15 public trust to tackle stigma associated with disease, especially sexually transmitted diseases, and to provide guidance and leadership to other policy-makers in the field of health care and social policy. They also urge UN Member states to include reproductive health as 9th MDG because it is vitally important in achieving all other MDGs. ing a wider parliamentary constituency for population and RH issues. AFPPD has been able to reach 90% of the parliamentarians in these selected countries. Reaching Maximum number; Individual advocacy with Parliamentarians The Asian Forum for the past two years with support from Hewlett Foundation has been conducting a unique programme known as the Person-to-Person Advocacy Programme (PPAP) on population and development issues. The objective of the programme is to meet the majority of members of parliament, state assembly members and village level elected leaders on a one to one basis. The aim of the PPAP meeting is to discuss the population situation and it’s relationship with other development issues such as food, employment, water, poverty, environment, reproductive health, and HIV/AIDS. This PPAP programme records their views in a survey format, provides additional information and ascertains the knowledge level of the parliamentarians on these issues and how motivated they are. Their discussions are also recorded. In 2004 this programme was conducted in Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia with effective results and it is also being extended to Laos and India. This programme is evaluated as one of the most effective method of educating parliamentarians and other elected representatives. This is creat- Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development conducting an interview with an MP AFPPD-Malaysia conducting an interview with an MP AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Cambodian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development conducting an interview with an MP 16 Study Visit Study visits are the most effective tool for education and motivation 17 Study Visit The Senate Standing Committee on Public Health hosted a lunch for the New Zealand and Pacific Parliamentarians as an opportunity to meet Thai Senators and to discuss issues of HIV/AIDS in Thailand. New Zealand and Pacific Parliamentarians – April 2004 Parliamentarians from New Zealand and the Pacific conducted a study visit of Indo-China countries in April. It was sponsored by NZFPA in cooperation with APA. 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 received by AFPPD, who assisted in arranging briefings by three agencies that are integral in the HIV/AIDS cause in Thailand including UNFPA/CST and UNAIDS. Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit organized their meeting with Thai parliamentarians at the Senate House. AFPPD National Committee in these countries arranged the visit. Indonesian Parliamentarians November 2004 Nine Indonesian Parliamentarians, legislators and religious leaders with one UNFPA Indonesian officers conducted a study visit to Thailand from 28 November to 4 December 2004. The purpose of the study visit was to expose them to the success Thailand has had with tackling HIV/ AIDS so that the representatives and leaders are educated on the policies and strategies of HIV/ AIDS prevention and care in Thailand and how it was developed and implemented. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report 18 Study Visits The Indonesian representatives were briefed by UNFPA/CST, UNAIDS-APLF and the Bureau of HIV/AIDS, TB and STI from the Ministry of Public Health. They also conducted visits to the Asia-Pacific Network for People Living with HIV/AIDS, Population and Community Development Association, EMPOWER and the Dramaraksaniwessana Project, a temple hospice for those infected with AIDS. They also joined the World AIDS Day Event and a lunch was hosted by Dr. Virapong Skolkitivat, Senator and Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Public Health of Thailand It was a very intense and comprehensive study visit, the goals and purpose of the visit was fully accomplished. The parliamentarians, legislators and religious leaders were able to see a complete picture of the projects in Thailand that deal with HIV/AIDS, from a regional view of the pandamenic to the individual care given to those infected. The visit was sponsored by UNFPA Indonesia in cooperation with the Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development and hosted by AFPPD. Bangladesh Parliamentarians in India, Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand December 2004 Parliamentarians from Bangladesh visited Indonesia, the Philippines, and India from December 15-26, 2004 for a study on HIV/AIDS programmes. It was sponsored and organized by UNFPA Bangladesh with assistance from AFPPD and National Committees in each country. The parliamentarians were divided into three groups and visited Bangkok, Thailand – where they were briefed by UNFPA/CST, UNAIDS and AFPPD officials. In the various countries they met with organizations and key personnel involved with HIV/AIDS. They took opportunities to interact with government, civil societies, parliamentarians, NGOs and local people concerned with HIV/AIDS issues. They also met with the national parliamentary committees of population and development of each country to discuss the role of national com- Indonesian Parliamentarians visiting and being briefed by the Manger of the Dramaraksaniwessana Project a temple hospice for people infect with AIDS 19 The Bangladesh Parliamentarians being briefed on the current situation of HIV/AIDS in the Region by Dr. Chaiyos Kunanusont, HIV/AIDS/STI Adviser, UNFPA/CST for East and South East Asia mittees and parliamentarians in solving issues relating to HIV/AIDS. The parliamentarians received clear idea of the ground realities related to the HIV/AIDS situation and learnt about the roles of key stakeholders for prevention and care. They also used this study tour as a platform to exchange country experiences; policies and strategies in order to produce a realistic action plan for combating HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh. work and challenges faced by NGOPs working to care for HIV patients and affected populations. Representing AFPPD were Rep. Cielo Krisel Lgaman-Luistro from the Philippines and Senator Jon Ungphakorn of Thailand. Senator Jon Ungpakorn being an HIV/AIDS activist gained in depth knowledge about the HIV/AIDS situation in Africa. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report World Bank Study Visit of Parliamentarians to Ethiopia PNoWB organized a workshop and study visit on HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 12 and 13 of January 2004. The two day workshop, which served to illustrate some of the salient policy debates in the fight against HIV/AIDS epidemic worldwide brought together eleven parliamentarians from ten countries. The field visit which was broken down into two parts, enabled the parliamentarians to see first hand the Senator Jon Ungpakorn of Thailand in Ethiopia 20 ICPD at 10 Activities Favorable and positive environment for ICPD implementation and resource mobilization. 21 ICPD at 10 Activities 2004 is the 10th Anniversary of the ICPD Programme of Action. It is a year of celebrating ICPD and the progress that have been made in different countries, lessons learnt and to also look forward to the next 10 years including the role played by parliamentarians. Sang Guowei, China, and Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Thailand were part of a parliamentarians panel. The Roundtable held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and was opened by The Honorary Lee Kah Choon, Parliamentary Secretary from the Ministry of Health, Malaysia. More then 300 NGO’s, FPA’s and parliamentarians attended and committed to advocating further achievement on ICPD goals. It was a very well organized and effective event. South East Asian Countdown 2004 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia On 21-23 July 2004 the first roundtable “Countdown 2015: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All” Southeast Asia and Oceania Region on ICPD at 10 was organised by the International Planned Parenthood Federation-East and South East Asian and Oceania Region (IPPF ESEAOR) in collaboration with Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population & Development (AFPPD) and Asia Pacific Alliance (APA). AFPPD sponsored 15 parliamentarians and others to attend the roundtable. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chair of AFPPD gave a special address at the opening ceremony. Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of Parliament of Fiji, Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP New Zealand, Congressman JR Nereus Acosta, Philippines, Dr. South Asia Roundtable Kathmandu, Nepal On 4-6 August 2004 the second IPPF roundtable for the South Asia Region (IPPF/SAR) in collaboration with the UNFPA/CST for South and West Asia (SAWA) was held in Kathmandu, Nepal. AFPPD assisted in the organization of a parliamentarian’s panel with MPs from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The focus of the meeting was to review the performance of ICPD beyond the traditional health system approach. The welcome address was given by Ms. Nina Puri, President IPPF and Mr Wasim Zaman, Director UNFPA/CST SAWA. The Deputy Prime AFPPD 2004 Activities Report L to R: Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speak of Fijian Parliament, Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP (New Zealand), Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit (Thailand), Dr. Sang Guowei, MP (China), and Rep. JR Nereus Acosta (Philippines) at the KL Roundtable 22 ICPD at 10 Activities Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan) and AFPPD Chairman addressing the opening session of the Global Roundtable in London Minister, Mr. Bharat Mohan Adikari gave the inaugural address. Around 100 South Asian NGOs, FPA representatives and parliamentarians participated. Global Roundtable - IPPF London The IPPF in cooperation with Population Action International (PAI) and Family Care International (FCI) organized one of the largest and most effective Global Roundtable on ICPD at 10 on 31st August to 2 September in London. Around 600 NGOs, family planning activists, parliamentarians and UN agencies attended. Parliamentarians as representatives of Regional Parliamentarian groups were quite active at the roundtable. AFPPD profile was prominent with Mr. Yoshio Yatsu MP, Chair of AFPPD addressing the opening session and Dr. Taro Nakayama, MP Japan and Chair of Japan Parliamentarians Federation on Population and APDA, addressing the dinner reception. Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon of the Philippines, Dr. Surya Chandra, MP (Indonesia), Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP (India), Dr. Chit Charoenprasert, Senator 23 Thailand and Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General IPPF, Dr. Thorya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA were among those speaking in sessions. A regional parliamentarians session with Asian NGOs was particularly informative and was attended by a good number of NGO’s and FPA representatives. A special meeting on Reproductive health supplies was convened at the UK Parliament by UN foundation in cooperation with Inter-European parliamentarians Forum. Mr. Lakshman Singh, MP India and Vice Chair of AFPPD and Tony Worthington, UK were among many speakers discussing the issue of contraceptive supplies. International Parliamentarians’ Conference on ICPD Strasbourg, France UNFPA organized the first International Parliamentarians Conference in Sri Lanka in 1979 where the idea of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development was first L to R: Hon. Im Run, MP and Princess Sisowath Santha, MP—Cambodia Development on ICPD at 10 in cooperation with regional parliamentarian groups, hosted by the Inter-European Parliamentarian Forum on Population and Development at Strasbourg, France on 18-19 October. AFPPD organized the attendance of 17 Parliamentarians from Asia Pacific and Central Asia and 5 from Japan. AFPPD also provided secretarial support and assisted in the production of promotional items that were used at the conference. In Strasbourg, over 130 parliamentarians and ministers from 90 countries reaffirmed their responsibility to uphold the right to decide on their own family size to empower women and to eliminate all forms of violence against women. The two-day meeting focused on lawmakers’ roles in implementing the 20-year action plan adopted by 179 governments at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo. The plan called for universal access to reproductive health services and a sharp reduction in maternal deaths by 2015. germinated. UNFPA and AFPPD then organized a second parliamentarian’s conference on population and development in Mexico and at the International Parliamentarians Conference in 1984, UNFPA then asked AFPPD to organize. The International Parliamentarians Conference in Cairo in 1994, the International Parliamentarians Conference on Population and Social Development at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen in 1995, an International Meeting of Parliamentarians on Gender, Population and Development in Tokyo in 1995 and an International Meeting of Parliamentarians on Food Security, Population and Development at Geneva in 1996. These conferences were organized in cooperation with regional parliamentarian groups. AFPPD organized the last International Parliamentarians Conference in The Hague on ICPD at 5. In 2002 UNFPA decided to organize new round of International Parliamentarians Conference on ICPD Implementation in cooperation with regional parliamentarian groups, 2001 conference was held in Ottawa. This was attended by 17 parliamentarians from the Asia Pacific and Central Asia. Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and Chair of AFPPD chaired the drafting committee. UNFPA organized the 2003 International Conference of Parliamentarians on Population and AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Ms. Safiye Cagar, UNFPA 24 AFPPD Outreach Networking with UN and other agencies have increased multi-fold resulting in increased parliamentarian participation. 25 AFPPD Outreach UNESCAP 60th Session in Shanghai 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 Asian Forum was represented by one of its Vice Chairpersons, Dr. Sang Guowei MP China, who is also NPC ViceChairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Public Health Committee of the NPC. large number of population NGO’s as cosponsors in Washington D.C. Mr. Yatsu was a speaker at the opening ceremony and also met with several US Congressmen during the conference. UNAIDS Stakeholder Meeting: Shanghai UNAIDS included AFPPD in a select group of NGOs from Asia to be part of their Stakeholders meeting held in Shanghai, China on 26 May 2004. The meeting of 15 NGOs was attended by Mr. Peter Piat, Executive Director UNAIDS, Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special UN Envoy on HIV/AIDS for Asia, Dr. Suman Mehta Director of UNAIDS for Asia and Middle East and representatives from UNAIDS-APLF Bangkok Office. AFPPD is part of the UNAIDS Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum and working in close cooperation to enhancing political advocacy for HIV/AIDS. In yet another recognition of AFPPD’s work in HIV/AIDS, the Global Health Fund invited AFPPD to attend their stakeholder meeting in Bangkok for AIDS 2004 from 7 to 8 July. · Both these meetings indicate the enhanced role of AFPPD in political advocacy for HIV/AIDS. RH and AIDS Services’ Parliamentary Hearings in the UK The All Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APPG) held Parliamentary Hearings on the “Integration of RH and HIV/AIDS Services from 19-20 April 2004 in London. Two of AFPPD’s contacts attended the Parliamentary hearings: Dr. Baige Zhao from the National Population and Family Planning Commission of China, and Dr. Siriporn Kanshana from the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand. Dr. Kanshana spoke on the Thai situation with regards to HIV/ AIDS and reproductive health and she cited some examples of progress made. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Global Population Conference Washington DC Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Chair of AFPPD, Mr. Yoshitaka Sakurada M.P. and Mr. Hideo Jimpu M.P. (Japan) and Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Secretary General of AFPPD participated at the Global Population Conference organized from 13-14 May 2004 by the Population Institute, USA and Population 2005 along with a 26 Parliamentary Network on the World Bank AFPPD cooperation with Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) continues to be close. AFPPD sponsored parliamentarians to attend World Bank study visits in Yemen, Ethio- AFPPD Outreach pia and meeting with World Bank officials in Washington DC on HIV/AIDS Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit as a member of the Executive Board of PNoWB attended its retreat near Paris to discuss future direction of PNoWB. related NGO’s organized events at the conference. UNFPA and CST Bangkok organized World Population Day on 11th July with a panel discussion on “ICPD at 10: Progress and Issues”, which was addressed by Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA, Dr. Nafis Sadik, UN Secretary General Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Asia and the Pacific and Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF. The session was moderated by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director, AFPPD. Cooperation with UNEP The Asian Forum was approached by the UN Environment Programme office of climate change in Paris to be a partner towards involvement of parliamentarians in environment issues specifically on Environment and Climate Change and Population. The project will be supported by the European Union and will commence in 2005, it will add new dimension on environment to AFPPD programme. Dr. Thoraya Obaid honored at Thai Senate The President of the Thai Senate Hon. Senator Suchon Chaleekure hosted a special lunch in honor of Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA at the Senate of Thailand on the 12th of July. The lunch was attended by Thai parliamentarians, parliamentarians from Canada, New Zealand, USA Uganda and local NGOs and UN representatives. Dr. Nafis Sadik, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General on HIV/AIDS for Asia and Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF, Prof. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, Mr. Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS, Mr. Steve Kraus, UNFPA, Mr. Giridhar, Director UNFPA/ CST, and Ms. Amy Cohan, PAI were also present. International AIDS Conference Bangkok The Asian Forum and it’s member parliamentarians were quite active at the International AIDS Conference in Bangkok from 11 to 18th July, which was attended by around 15 thousand participants. Mr. Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General and Heads of major UN agencies addressed the opening, including Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA. Dr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF, Population Council, PAI, IAVI and several other population L to R: Dr. Nafis Sadik, Dr. Steven Sinding, Mr. Shiv Khare and Dr. Thoraya Obaid at the World Population Day Panel Discussion in Bangkok 27 High-Level Symposium-Tokyo AFPPD cooperates annually with Population 2050 a Japanese NGO headed by Mr. Kit Kitatani, which organizes a high-level policy symposium each year. 2004 symposium was on HIV/ AIDS and population and development and health issues. It took place at the UN House Tokyo on the 13th and the 15th of September. AFPPD Parliamentarian, Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, MP, Speaker of Fiji, Dr. Donya Aziz, MP and Parliamentary Secretary on Population in Pakistan and Rep. Jose Carlos V. Lacson of the Philippines played prominent roles at the symposium. AFPPD Executive Director presented a paper on Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People. Former Chair of AFPPD, Senator Shin Sakurai and a few other Japanese Parliamentarians also attended the symposium. In this meeting ICPD PoA was prominent and mentioned several times. UNFPA had sent a team of Senior Officers to provide information and guidance on ICPD issues; finally the meeting endorsed the Beijing Platform. AFPPD has conducted parliamentary advocacy for Beijing platform and RH leading up to 2005 UN Session in NY. IMF and World Bank Annual Meeting The IMF and World Bank annual meeting was held in Washington D.C. Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3, 2004. Representative J.R. Nereus O. Acosta, MP from the Philippines and Deputy Secretary General of AFPPD represented AFPPD at the meeting State of the World Population Report The State of the World Population Report is released globally every year. The 2004 report contained a paragraph on parliamentarians, which also mentioned the work of AFPPD. The release of the report was attended by parliamentarian representatives of National Committees of AFPPD in most countries. Inter-Governmental Meeting on the Beijing Platform From 7-10 September 2004 UNESCAP held a High-Level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and its Regional and Global Outcomes. The opening statement was given by Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of UNESCAP, other addresses where given by Mr. Wanlop Phloytabtim, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Royal Thai Government and by Ms. Carolyn Hannan, Director of Division for the Advancement of Women, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Hon Senator Suchon Chaleekure presents a gift from the Senate of Thailand to Dr. Thoraya Obaid. L to R: Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Dr. Thoraya Obaid, H. E. Senator Suchon Chaleekure and Mr. Steve Sinding 28 Action at National Level Ultimate goal is to make a difference at country level. 29 Action at National Level The Asian Forum has twenty-four national committees they are: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Iran, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam. Following are reports of national committees outlining their activities in 2004. Parliamentarians Meeting on HIV/AIDS, The Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD) an AFPPD subcommittee for the Pacific. o November, Senator Lyn Allison represented the AFPPD at the 2004 International Parliamentarians’ Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Program of Action in Strasbourg o December, the Group hosted a meeting with Ms Shazia Rafi, Secretary General of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA). Following this meeting Michael Johnson MP, Chair of the APPGPD, was invited to speak at the Sub-Regional South Asian Parliamentary Seminar on HIV/AIDS (organized by PGA), held in Islamabad, January 2005. o Development of population and development briefing materials including briefing papers for members of the APPGPD, a calendar for all parliamentarians state and federal, and an Abortion Pack for all federal parliamentarians. o The Australian Reproductive Health Alliance (ARHA) is the secretariat of the APPGPD. Australia Australian All Party Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (APPGPD) o February, the APPGPD hosted a meeting with Dr Richard Feachem, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Malaria and TB. This galvanized support among parliamentarian members for Australia’s contribution to the Fund and raised awareness of the issues. The meeting was organized with the support of Medicine Sans Frontiers and Oxfam, CAA. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report o June, the Group hosted the 2nd Asian Women Parliamentarians Meeting on Population and Development. The meeting was held in Parliament House, Canberra (See page 2) o August, Meredith Burgmann MLC represented the APPGPD on behalf of AFPPD at the East & Southeast Asia and Oceania region roundtable ICPD at10 in Kuala Lumpur o October, Christina Richards, Executive Director of APPGPD attended the 1st Pacific 30 Bangladesh o A UNFPA funded parliamentarian advocacy project underway. A National Committee of Parliamentarians on Population and Development has been formed with full time staff support. Action at National Level o A study visit of parliamentarians was conducted in India, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia funded by UNFPA Bangladesh. Fiji Fiji National Parliamentarians Committee The Fiji National Committee of Parliamentarians on Population and Development under the leadership of the Speaker of the Parliament Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailatikau organized the following: o The Pacific Leaders’ meeting in Samoa endorsed the Pacific Regional HIV/AIDS Strategy, which has a strong leadership component (August 2004) o The 9th Pacific Triennial Women’s meeting raised the need to protect women and girls from HIV/AIDS (August 2004). In addition, a Fiji Senate (Upper House) Committee of Parliament was established by resolution of the House on 17/12/2004 – That in view of the escalating increasing in the incidence of drugs (marijuana, speed, heroin, etc.) and other substance abuses and associated increase in drug related violent and sexual crimes including prostitution: o that this House agrees to establish a sevenmember ad hoc Senate Select Committee to investigate the cause of these serious societal problems and to look into ways and means to combat and remedy the situation; and o that this ad hoc Select Committee submits its report and recommendations to this House within six months. o The Committee has had its first meeting on 31 Ms. Meyong Sookham, MP (Korea) is presented a memento from Hon. Ratu Epeli Nailakitaku 20/12/2004 and will make its report to Parliament in June 2005. Fiji also hosted a Regional meeting of Parliamentary Clerks from the Pacific, which was also addressed by Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD and the Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on HIV/AIDS in Suva, Fiji from 1113 October. India Indian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (IAPPD) Under the Project “National Advocacy and Communication Involvement of Elected Representatives for Advocacy on Population, Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Women Empowerment” assigned by MOH&FW and UNFPA. IAPPD had undertaken the following activities in 2004: An Analysis of Parliament Questions As a part of baseline activity, IAPPD undertook an “Analysis of questions raised in the Parlia- ment and addressed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during the period of 20002003”, which reflects the level of interest and knowledge of the Members of Parliament/ Legislators regarding Health and RCH related issues. A report giving the analysis of these questions is complete and is being submitted to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOH&FW) and United Nations Population Fund UNFPA for framing the policies and programme in the future. Orientation Workshops for Members of Parliament The first orientation workshop for Members of Parliament was held in July at Samarat Hotel, New Delhi. The workshop was attended by 40 Members of Parliament, 2 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and one Minister from Punjab. Discussions mainly centered round the involvement of Parliamentarians in planning policy formulation on population stabilization. The second orientation workshop was held in December at the Hotel Ashok, New Delhi. Thirty-nine Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly attended the workshop. Policy, planning and monitoring were discussed. In both the above workshops, Experts from IAPPD & UNFPA gave their presentations. Orientation Workshop for Legislators – sensitization for monitoring and implementation A series of four workshops for legislators were organized. The first took place in August, 2004 in Bhubaneshwar (Orissa) and was attended by 54 MLAs from the Orissa Legislative Assembly. The second workshop for the Uttaranchal Legislative Assembly was held in Dehradun in September, 2004. There were 90 participants attended including Members of Parliament and MLAs. The third workshop in the series was organized for Legislators of Chhattisgarah State in Raipur in November. The last workshop was organized for Legislators of Uttar Pradesh at Lucknow in December, 2004. It was an excellent experience for the Legislators to attend these workshops which motivated them to monitor and implement the population stabilization programmes in the right direction. Intensive Training/Workshop The training workshops, outside the Capital in the Hill-top of Himachal Pradesh were organized which exposed participants to different issues related to population and development, HIV/ AIDS, girls’ education and women empowerment. The same were discussed at length in this workshop. The first such intensive training workshop was organized in October. It was attended by 15 MPs and MLA from five States of Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal. The second such workshop was organized in Himachal Pradesh in the month of October and was attended by 15 MPs and MLAs. These workshops were for two-days each and exclusive attention of the MPs/MLAs was drawn to the sensitive issues. Study Tours As suggested by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, sharing of experiences of MPs/ MLAs coming from Empowered Action Group (EAG) States with those of the better performing 32 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Action at National Level South Indian States was envisaged. It was also indicated that selected MPs/MLAs (8-10 in number) from Uttar Pradesh Jharkhand, Uttaranchal, Orissa and Chhattisgarh visit Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a study tour of 9 MPs/MLAs was therefore, organized from 1-9 November 2004. They visited State Capitals of Hyderabad, Bangalore, Trivandurm and Chennai. Besides going to the State Head Quarters, they also visited some of the Public Health Centers and other medical institutions to have a feel of ground realities at the village/block level. Briefing Kit Keeping in view the Plan of Action of ICPD, an Advocacy Briefing Kit, in Hindi and English, was prepared in 2004 for the use of People’s Elected Representatives which contained information on Population and Development related issues. It is very useful for elected representatives to quickly go through it to understand the issues and its latest position. 1992 on Health. IFPPD has contributed in varies form such as; o Seminar in twelve provinces in Indonesia (West Nusa Tenggara, Bali, South Sulawesi, Lampung, Riau, North Sumatra, Jogjakarta, West Java, East Java, South Sumatra, Central Java, North Sulawesi) and Central Parliament, Jakarta. The seminar aimed to collect inputs from varies stakeholders coming from varies provinces. o Facilitating to write academic paper on Amendment of Law No 23 Year 1992. This academic paper contained main reasons why the law should be amended. o Expert meetings. This activity aimed to get more inputs from experts on amendment of law No 23 Year 1992 especially substantial issues such as reproductive health rights, abortion. o Publishing five-fact sheet editions. These fact sheets aimed to socialize healthy Indonesia 2010 and what is the relationship with the effort to amend the law. Contributing to pass Law No 23 Year 2004 on Elimination on Domestic Violence. IFPPD has contributed in varies form; o Conducting monthly meeting series (November, January, February and April). This activity aimed to review and give input on Bill No 23 Year 2004. o Conducting seminar in seven provinces (Maumere, NTT, Nangro Aceh Darusallam, Jember-East Java, Pontianak-West Kalimantan, Semarang-Central Java, Yogyakarta, and Sleman-Yogyakarta. The seminar aimed to collect inputs from varies stakeholders coming from varies provinces. o Ten Weekly meetings. o Conducting seminar at Sahid Hotel, Cikarang Indonesia Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development Person to person advocacy. This program has been running at central and provincial’s parliament since 2002. This is the second period of IFPPD implementing Person to person advocacy. Publishing Info Forum bulletin (now magazine) every three months since 2002. The Info Forum aims as advocacy media for IFPPD to raise the issues. Contributing to Amendment of Law No 23 Year 33 o o o o o Jakarta. This activity aimed to inject knowledge on Elimination on Domestic Violence Law to the MPs. Publishing 19 series of Fact Sheet. Publishing Advocacy packet on Elimination on Domestic Violence. Conducting Eleven-Roundtable Discussions. Conducting National seminar on Elimination on Domestic Violence. Conducting Five-Roundtable Discussions on socialization of Law Number 23 Year 2004 on Elimination on Domestic Violence. Kalimantan and Jakarta). o Conducting national seminar at Central Parliament. o Publishing book on Amendment of Law Number 10 Year 1992 on Population Development and Welfare Family. o Conducting national seminar on population day. Contributing to build awareness on budgeting based on gender to MPs. o Conducting seminar on budgeting based on gender. Contributing to pass bill on migrant worker protection. o Conducting two-national seminar on migrant workers. Contributing to build awareness on economy macro and health. o Conducting seminar on socialization of economy macro and health in three provinces (Pare-Pare-South Sulawesi, Demak-Central Java, and Central Kalimantan). o Conducting two-core group meetings o Conducting two-core group meetings for tobacco control issues. o Publishing fact sheet o Writing advocacy packet on economy macro and health. 9. o o o o 34 Contributing to build awareness on HIV/ AIDS issues in Parliament. IFPPD has contributed in varies form; Conducting two-roundtable discussion Conducting four-re gi onal meeting (Pekanbaru, Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Balai Karimun and Batam). Publishing Four-Fact sheet series. Conducting policy analysis on discrimination AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Contributing to amend Law Number 10 Year 1992 on Population Development and Welfare Family. IFPPD has contributed in varies form; o Conducting four-Public Dialog through TVRI (Indonesia National Broadcast). The public dialogs presented MPs, government officers and experts. o Publishing Five-Fact sheet editions. o Conducting three-monthly seminar. o Conducting seminar on Population day at Vice President Palace. o Conducting twelve-provincial seminar (South Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, BangkalanEast Java, Sukabumi-West Java, DemakCentral Java, Banten, West Java, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, West Kalimantan and Jakarta. o Conducting five-series of roundtable discussion inter stakeholders. o Conducting three meetings between expert and Commission IX o Conducting twelve seminar on socialization of Draft Amendment of Law Number 10 year 1992 (South Sulawesi, NTT, Malang-East Java, Sukabumi-West Java, KebumenCentral Java, Banten, Lampung, Bangka Belitung, North Sumatra, South Sumatra, West Action at National Level of people living with HIV/AIDS. o Conducting two-core group meeting o Conducting two-national seminar o Conducting seven national strategic seminars (Banten, West Java, East Java, Central Java, NTB, South Sulawesi, NTT, Jayapura, Maluku). o Conducting meeting evaluation on HIV/ AIDS. o Conducting wrap up meeting o Conducting plan of action meeting. o Conducting legal review on HIV/AIDS policy and laws through three-core group meetings and two-workshop. Contributing to advocate ratification of Tobacco Control. IFPPD has been contributed in varies form; o Conducting three-core group meeting o Conducting workshop o Conducting seminar o Conducting seminar on Youth and Parliamentarians. o Conducting seminar on law analysis. Contributing to establish Provincial Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. o Establishing West Java Provincial Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. o Establishing South Sumatra Provincial Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. o Establishing West Kalimantan Provincial Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. o Establishing East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. Japan Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) Japanese Parliamentarians Federation for Population (JPFP) o In April APDA appointed Mr. Michio Ozaki as the new Executive Director of APDA the following day Mr. Michio Ozaki and APDA staff met with Kiyoko Ikegami, Director of UNFPA Tokyo. o On 17th May Kusumoto and Takemoto attended a meeting by Ministry of Forest and Agriculture. Later that month from 26-27 May APDA staff attended a Press conference for Dr. Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA and a conference on International Population was held where Dr. Obaid, Dr. Taro Nakayama, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, Kayoko Shimizu and Mr. Ozaki attended. The following day APDA held it’s Board Meeting. o Dr. Taro Nakayama met with Prime Minister of Malaysia on 3 June during his visit to Japan accompanied by Mr. Yoshio Yatsu and Mr. Ozaki. o From July 14 to 16 Mr. Steven Sinding, Director General of IPPF and Ms. Valerie De Filipo, Director of External Affairs, IPPF visited Japan. They met Dr. Taro Nakayama and on another occasion visited with Yasuko Hukuda, MP and Yoko Komiyama, MP. They were accompanied by Mr. Ozaki of APDA. o From 2-14 August: APDA conducted a study meeting for research on “Rural Development in India with focus on Population issue” entrusted by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. 35 Opening Session in Almaty Kazakhstan L to R: Ms. Regina Lee, Mr. Osamu Kusumoto, Mr. Michio Ozaki, Ms. Kayoko Shimizo, Mr. Nurtay Abykaev, Mr. Kunio Waki, and Senator Tutkushev o From 25 August to 3 September another research and survey on “Workforce supply and demand in Information service” was conducted in China, entrusted by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. o A meeting with Mr. Sultan Aziz Director of the Asia Pacific Division of UNFPA was held on 28th of July, and APDA met both with Mr. Aziz and Dr. Obaid on 6th December when they attended the Anniversary of JPFP. UNFPA and JPFP have had a special relationship since it was formed. o From August 6-16 APDA conducted a study visit of Japanese Parliamentarians to Africa. kurai, MP (Japan) former Chairman of AFPPD and Chair of the Standing Committee on Food Security, Senator Dr. Malinee Sukavejworakit, Thailand and Secretary General of AFPPD, Mr. Nesim Tumkaya, UNFPA Representative for Central Asia, Dr. Raj Karim, Regional Director of IPPF EASEOR and Dr. Safiye Cagar, Director IERD UNFPA and Parliamentarians from Asia. o JPFP/APDA hosted parliamentarians from Kazakhstan for a Study Visit o December 7 JPFP organized it’s 30th anniversary with Dr. Thoraya Obaid, Executive Director of UNFPA and Dr. Steve Sinding, Director General of IPPF as Chief Guests. Mr. Sultan Aziz, Director of Asia-Pacific Division UNFPA and Dr. Safiye Cagar, Director IERD-UNFPA were also present. Dr. Taro Nakayama, MP Japan, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu, MP Japan and other Japanese Parliamentarians in attendance along with many NGO representatives and AFPPD officials. The celebration was followed by a seminar. o An Ageing Seminar organized in Tokyo on December 18 and attended by APDA representative. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report o Dr Taro Nakayama, Mr. Yoshio Yatsu and Mr. Ozaki attended the IPPF Global round Table in London from August 31 to September 2. o From September25 to October3, APDA held the 20th Asian Parliamentarians Meeting on population and Development in Almaty, Kazakhstan attended by Mr. Nurtay Abykaev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Ms. Kayoko Shimizu, VicePresident of APDA, Mr. Kunio Waki, Deputy Executive Director of UNFPA, Mr. Shin Sa36 Action at National Level o APDA conducted a second visit on 27 December to India on “Rural development in India with focus on Population issue” entrusted by Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Parliamentary committee of Parliamentarians on Population and Development The Parliament of the Kyrgyz republic has established the National Committee of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, which informs about all measures maintained in order to improve the legislation on Population issues and in the HIV/AIDS sphere. Group of MPs of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic, according to the initiative of the Chairman of the National Committee of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, Mr. Artykbaev O., worked out the new Law on HIV/AIDS in the Kyrgyz Republic. Experts in International and Nongovernmental organizations including NGO working on AIDS have reviewed the draft of the law. The law draft was discussed at the Workshop (Round Table) and at the Parliamentary committee with the participation of the Kyrgyz Republic Parliament's MPs, officials from the Prime-minister's office, interested ministers, representative of NGOs and international organizations. Further, the project was discussed at the meeting of the Committee on social questions and sent to the Parliament for discussion. It will be considered as soon as possible. The new Law brings legislation to the international standards, where the protection of the persons living with HIV/ AIDS and the victims of discrimination and stigma is guaranteed. It also will establish additional provision on protection of their rights on confidentiality and voluntary testing and taking measures on complex treatment and supply. Regarding activities made on HIV/ 37 Kazakhstan Committee of Socio-Cultural Development of the Senate of Parliament of Republic of Kazakhstan o Hosted the APDA-AFPPD Asian Population and Development Conference from 28-29 September 2004. The meeting was opened by Mr. Nurtay Abykaev, Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan. Korea The Korean Parliamentary League on Children, Population and Environment (CPE) o In November CPE organized a National Seminar on Low Fertility and Children, Women, and Population at the National Assembly Building, which were attended by MPs, experts from government, institutes and the media. o CPE in collaboration with the Parliament of Fiji organized the Asia-Pacific Parliamentarian Conference on Environment and Development in Fiji o CPE sent parliamentarians to attend the 20th APDA Meeting in Almaty Kazakhstan, the 11th APPCED General Assembly in Fiji, and the International Medical Parliamentarians Conference in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. AIDS, they are made on the basis of Strategic Plan and State Program to prevent HIV/AIDS, infections transmitted by sex and injections. In Kyrgyzstan there is the National Intersectional Board on management (coordination of the measures on prevention of HIV/AIDS) and there is also the National Board, which promotes the process of cooperation between the Government, State Sector and Civil Sector. There is a political strategy to direct information, education, reproductive and sexual health education of youth and programme on prevention the transmission of HIV, especially from mother to child. In Kyrgyzstan there are partnerships with State organizations, NGO and international organizations. UNAIDS, UNDPA WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF, USAID Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation and etc. For the past few years they have been giving technical and financial assistance and supporting different programs connected with the prophylactics of HIV infections and AIDS among the Kyrgyz citizens. period of 15 days in order to monitor and evaluate Pop/RH/gender/HIV/AIDS programmes. Malaysia AFPPD Malaysia o AFPPD Malaysia with AFPPD, IMPO and the Senate of Malaysia hosted the International Medical Parliamentarians Conference with an Asian Focus on “MDG’s Poverty and Health: Connecting Parliamentarians with Ground Realities” from 12-14 December 2004. There were 120 parliamentarians from 27 countries in attendance. o AFPPD Malaysia and the Malaysian Senate received members of the Executive Committee of AFPPD at the Senate for a luncheon hosted by President of Senate of Malaysia, Hon. Senator Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Abdul Hamid bin Pawanteh. at the Parliament of Malaysia. Mr. Bill Musoke, Deputy Director, UNFPA Asia Pacific Division and Mr. Giridhar Giri, Director of UNFPA/CST E & SE Asia attended the Executive Committee meeting on behalf of UNFPA and Dr Raj Karim represented IPPF. o A special programme called “Caring Parliamentarian Programme” involving state legislation was initiated with state level forums with the idea that parliamentarians should also directly work with their constituencies. This year AFPPD Malaysia Executive Director went to three different states and met with Members of the State Assembly to discuss formation of AFPPD committees in their states. The states that were visited were Perak, Sabah and Penang all welcomed the idea of forming a committee in their states. 38 Laos AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Lao Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (LAPPD) o Working to develop policy to promote reproductive, gender and population issues. This year LAPPD worked on the National Reproductive Health Commodity Security Strategy. o Parliamentarians and LAPPD members meet bi-annually during the National Assembly (March and September). LAPPD members follow-up on project implementations in their responsible areas, advocate community for a Action at National Level o AFPPD Malaysia is also conducting the Person-to-Person Advocacy Programme and covered most of the parliament. o On June 8 2004, AFPPD Malaysia organized a programme “Meet and Greet” to further strengthen the relationship between AFPPD Malaysia’s committee members, NGOs and Youth Committee. This function took place in the Parliament House. Participants were given information on AFPPD’s programme for the year, including seminars and conferences, which will be held in Malaysia and abroad. 48 Members of Parliament and 8 Members of Senate attended this event. Among others were guests from NGOs and Youth Groups. o “One Day Seminar for Members of the Upper House” was held in on 16 June in the Parliament House. This seminar was organized in collaboration by AFPPD Malaysia and UNFPA to further inform Members of the Upper House on issues regarding HIV/AIDS, Food, Water & Security and Drug Abuse. The Four topics tabled on that day include “The Effect of HIV/AIDS Epidemic on Socio-Economic Development”, “Development and Environmental Effect”, “The Impact of Population Growth to Food, Water & Security” and “Drug Abuse Among the Youth”. Mr. Richard Leete, the Resident Coordinator for UN Malaysia, also attended this seminar. on 15 January 2004 among members of the Parliament, with support from the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. Mrs. T. Gandi, chairman of the Standing Committee on Social Policy chaired the workshop. In this workshop MPs, officials of Parliamentarian Secretariat, Birat Simha, UNFPA resident representative, Asian Development Bank, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry of Social Welfare and Labour, Institute of Education , the Institute of Philosophy, Sociology and Law, Gender Center for Sustainable Development, UNESCO, Education Office of Ulaanbaatar city, Women’s Development Foundation of UNDP, and secondary schools participated. This was a useful exchange of view with a wide variety of agencies. New Zealand New Zealand All-Party Parliamentary Group (NZPPD) o Study tour to Asia and “Hope and Dignity – Images of Life” exhibition In April, three NZPPD members participated in an FPAID study tour to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam (14th-22nd April) focusing on HIV/ AIDS. This was an Asia Pacific Alliance (APA) funded initiative. The programme was organised in partnership with the Cambodian Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, Viet Nam Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development, and AFPPD who coordinated these activities. Also participating in the tour were three Pacific MPs, representatives of New Zealand’s APA partners (FPAID and the Development Resource 39 Mongolia The Standing Committee on Social Policy o The Standing Committee on Social Policy organized a workshop on gender issues for the education sector and secondary schools Centre). Photographs taken during the tour resulted in an exhibition called “Hope and Dignity – Images of Life”. This was opened at a Wellington gallery in July to mark World Population Day, and parts of the exhibition subsequently showed at NZFPA’s 2004 “Sex Matters” conference, the 2004 State of World Population report launch, and in the Wellington Public Library in December to mark World AIDS Day. Photos from the tour were also displayed at the East & South East Asia and Oceania Region (ESEAOR) Roundtable of ICPD+10 in Kuala Lumpur in July, and a flier about the initiative was distributed to delegates at this meeting and the IPCI/ICPD in Strasbourg. o “Building Towards the Future” In August, two NZPPD members joined MPs from Asia and the Pacific at a working session in Auckland to consider linkages between HIV/ AIDS, the ICPD and MDGs, and capacity building needs of governments and NGOs. An Asia Pacific Alliance initiative called “Building Towards The Future”, funded by Face To Face, the working session also involved sexual and reproductive health, and population and development NGOs and officials from Australia, New Zealand. o Secretariat support for international meetings NZPPD members continued to represent New Zealand at a number of key international meetings on topics relating to the group’s key strategic focus areas. Due to an increasing number of international meetings, FPAID formalised a process whereby meetings are prioritised, and reporting is standardised. FPAID continued to provide logistical support and briefings for parliamentarians who attend overseas meetings, and Dr. Gill Greer, NZFPA Executive Director and Ms. Steve Chadwick, MP and Chair of NZFPA at the Strasbourg Conference arranged additional briefings from relevant agencies. o World Population Day On World Population Day 2004, FPAID and NZPPD organized an exhibit “Hope and Dignity – Images of Life” at Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre in Wellington. The exhibition of photos taken during the APA-funded MP study tour to Asia was opened by the Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, and the MC was NZPPD chair Steve Chadwick, who headed the delegation to Asia. Around 150 people attended, and related media coverage included community, major daily and national newspaper coverage, and radio broadcasts. o State of the World Population Launch The New Zealand launch of UNFPA’s State of World Population 2004 report – “The Cairo Consensus at Ten: Population, Reproductive Health and the Global Effort to End Poverty” took place at Parliament on Wednesday 15th September. Nearly 70 people attended, including a large number of MPs. NZPPD chair Steve Chadwick hosted the event, at which the Deputy Chief of UNFPA’s Resource Mobilization AFPPD 2004 Activities Report 40 Action at National Level Branch, Antonie de Jong, spoke and presented the report to Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Michael Cullen. Coinciding with the launch was the parliamentary opening of “Hope and Dignity – Images of Life”. During his visit to Wellington, Antonie de Jong had meetings with NZPPD members and NZAID, and was interviewed (along with NZFPA Executive Director Gill Greer) by Radio New Zealand International, and by Radio New Zealand. Local newspaper The Wellingtonian featured photos from the launch in its “Cityzine” section. o Sex Matters Conference The Chair of the NZPPD was the guest speaker at the official dinner during NZFPA’s “Sex Matters” conference on sexual and reproductive health in Wellington in October 2004. This involved New Zealand and international policy advisors, health professionals and educators considering a range of issues, and progress nationally and regionally since 1994. Steve Chadwick also presented a paper on the role of parliamentarians. The conference’s international recommendations were presented to the Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade (ODA) by FPAID’s Face To Face Campaign Spokesperson, Stacey Daniels. NZPPD and FPAID also began planning for a possible 2005 MP study tour to the Pacific, focusing on the Millennium Development Goals. New Zealand Family Planning Association (NZFPA) provides the secretariat for the parliamentary group. The Philippines Philippines Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) Major Activities: 1. Formulated a Legislative Agenda (PLCPD LA) for the 13th Congress. Five Priority issues · Population and Development · Reproductive Health · Debt Management · National Land Use · Creation of HOR Special Committee on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 2. Conducted six-weekly Roundtable Discussions on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) PLCPD launched and successfully completed six roundtable discussions on the Millenium Development Goals aimed at identifying crucial policy proposals that would help the country achieve its commitments by 2015. Forty-two (42) legislators, led by PLCPD members, participated in the six RTDs entitled “Crafting a Legislative Agenda in Pursuit of the Millenium Development Goals.” Each RTD covered six different issues that pertain to the MDGs, namely: 1) Emerging Challenges to Human Development; (2) Financing Development through Global Partnership; (3) Reproductive Health and Gender Equity; (4) Progress and Challenges in Education, Health and Environment; (5) Governance and Political Reforms; and (6) Rural Poverty and Food Security. 41 The undertaking was made possible through the cooperation of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Congressional Planning Office (CPBD), Senate Economic Planning Office (SEPO), Social Watch Philippines (SWP), Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), People’s Legislative Advocacy Network, Commission on Population (PopCom) and the Education Network. With the help of resource persons from various fields of expertise, legislators were able to identify viable policy proposals that are crucial in meeting the MDGs namely: fiscal management; debt management, trade reforms, agro-industrial development, population; reproductive health; health access; nutrition; quality education; gender equality and women empowerment; environmental protection and natural resources management; and good governance and human security. They also came out with a proposal to create a Special Committee on the MDGs in both Chambers of Congress. This Special Committee shall take responsibility in: (1) exercising legislative oversight functions to ensure full implementation of existing laws that expedite the achievement of the targets including allocation of resources; an (2) strengthening MDG monitoring at the national and locals levels by employing an adequate monitoring mechanism and indicators that measure the poverty alleviation impact of MDG policies and programs. 3. Policy and Issue Forums in the Senate and House of Representatives PLCPD has been conducting issue forums to educate and inform other stakeholders on population and development issues and laws. The 42 participants are members of civil society organizations, the private sector, Government agencies, and the Church. Legislators are discussants of issues although experts are sometimes tapped also. These forums are done in popular restaurants that are also familiar to both the legislators and the targeted stakeholders. Issue forums inside Congress PLCPD continued conducting regular forums inside Congress on various topics related to the focused themes of this project. Experts, academicians and Government officials have been tapped to speak on particular issues per forum and discuss the results of studies, technological development or new findings. Legislators, their staff, Congressional Secretariat staff and civil society participants have been invited to these forums. Discussions are inherent in these types of forums. Congressional forums, where legislators and their staff are engaged with various types of policy stakeholders, have been established as a particular niche of PLCPD. This is one of the means by which the public and policymakers have established a venue for exchange of ideas and for cooperation. 4. Pulse Asia Survey Pulse Asia, whose release last March 3 gave momentum to the Pop-RH mainstreaming campaign when the study showed that majority of Filipinos support family planning and are likely to vote for candidates advocating the issue. The launching of the Pulse Asia Survey Results entitled “Population and Reproductive Health - A Crucial Electoral Issue” was held in the House of Representatives and participated in by 4 legislators and 61 participants from various sectors. AFPPD 2004 Activities Report 5. ‘Tapatan sa Halalan’ Presidential Debate PLCPD organized the first presidential debate on March 22, 2005 during the May 2004 elections. Attended by former Education Secretary and Senator Raul Roco and Evangelist Bro. Eddie Villanueva, the debate highlighted the issues of reproductive health and family planning issues, as well as other pressing national issues. This was attended by members of civil society organizations, government agencies, and the academe. The debate was broadcast over the ABSCBN News Channel on a primetime slot. 6. Electoral Political Mapping Project • 2004 Elections Quick Political Mapping Pro- dates took their turn to reveal their respective positions on population, poverty, and human development. Dubbed “Plataporma 2004”, the two-part senatorial forum was launched by the Population and Reproductive Health Movement on April 16 and 19 as part of its continuing efforts to mainstream the said issues in the national and local elections. 8. Women’s March for RH Last March 7, 2005, more than three thousand (3,000) women, men, gays, lesbians, elderly, youth, and children joined the march to celebrate the International Women’s day. The activity dubbed “Reproductive Health: Women’s Voice! Women’s Choice” was able to show the need for candidates in the 2004 elections to address the reproductive health concern as a major issue. Participants called on candidates to take the RH Challenge by including theses issues in their electoral platforms. They also called on voters to “Vote for Women’s Right to Choose!” – the main slogan of the activity. The main sponsor of the march is the Linangan ng Kababaihan in collaboration with PLCPD and other organizations that are supportive of the issues. • • • • ject or POLMAP 2004 was carried out by PLCPD. Conducted national political mapping of five (5) presidentiables, three (3) vicepresidentiables and 33 senatorial candidates Conducted political mapping in the National Capital Region (NCR) covering thirteen (13) cities and four (4) municipalities. Conducted political mapping in twenty-one (21) provinces covering 25 cities and 180 municipalities. Conducted Political Mapping Orientations and Validation Conferences and Formation of Local Study Team (LSTs)* in the 23 provinces and in the 13 cities and 4 municipalities in the NCR * LST- Local Study Team, a group composed of NGOs, Population Commission officers, health officers, and other interested groups 7. Senatorial Candidates’ Forums on Population, RH and Human Development Women’s March on RH in Manila attended by over 3,000 people After the presidential debate, senatorial candi43 9. Interfaith Activities ductive Health Rep. Nerissa Corazon Soon-Ruiz was named the Chairperson of said Special Committee on the MDGs. The creation of the Special Committee on the MDGs was identified by the group as the most urgent measure to be accomplished upon resumption of session in October . Among the tasks of the Special Committee are the following: 1) ensure the passage of MDG-supportive bills; 2) assess the effectiveness of MDGsupportive laws; 3) institute a progress review every eighteen months; and 4) ensure that the MDGs are considered in the government budget. 11. Conducted PPAP survey · · Conducted interviews of 414 local legislators and other advocacy team members Hired field interviewers to conduct interviews • Legislators – Interfaith Dialogue on Repro- Last September 7, 2004, eleven (11) PLCPD members joined at least 50 leaders and members of various faith-based organizations under the Interfaith Partnership for the Promotion of Reproductive Health and Family Planning Programs in a dinner dialogue held in Quezon City. The dialogue resulted in the identification of areas of cooperation for the advocacy of reproductive health and family planning in the 13th Congress. • Interfaith Forum on ICPD @ 10 Members of various faith-based organizations joined in the celebration of the 10th year anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) by holding and interfaith forum on ICPD @ 10 last September 13, 2004. The gathering aimed to discuss areas of engagement with members of the Interfaith partnership. Both fora resulted to the signing and reaffirmation of the Interfaith Partnership’s commitment to the promotion and advocacy of population, reproductive health and family planning policies and programs. 10. Creation of the Special Committee on the Millennium Development Goals A proposal to establish a special committee to ensure that the country is on track in meeting its Millennium Development Goal targets was presented to, and approved by House Speaker Jose De Venecia during the House of Representatives’ Legislative Agenda Planning Conference for the 13th Congress last September 23, 2004 AFPPD 2004 Activities Report The KAP Survey was conducted by PLCPD from January to February of 2004.with funding support from the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development. The survey reveals that there is a relatively high awareness among respondents on reproductive health and family planning and other population issues. It also reveals that there is high commitment of support regardless of position, gender, and religion. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development The Sri Lankan Forum organized: o Ten seminars on advocacy for population and reproductive health issues were held for sub44 national level elected representatives in ten districts. o The Sri Lankan Forum met in the Parliament house to discuss issues particularly to HIV/ AIDS. Technical presentations were made by the staff of the national STD/AIDS Control Programme. o Four Ministers of Health from the Provinces attended AFPPD HIV/AIDS advocacy seminar in Bangkok. On their return they have taken keen interest in the implementation of the Government HIV/AIDS prevention activities in their respective provinces. o A team of Parliamentarians and officials participated at the Sub-regional South Asian Parliamentary Seminar on HIV/AIDS held at the National Assembly of Pakistan, Islamabad. o During the debate in Parliament on the National Budget, when the financial estimates of the Health Ministry were taken up for discussion, the Members of Parliament on both sides were supportive of the reproductive health programme. and developing a plan of action in prevention and problem solving the AIDS issue in their community. In some provinces information on HIV/AIDS/RH were also disseminated through the media. There were also activities conducted to develop greater awareness through interacting with people affected by HIV/AIDS on people. o A draft bill on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which was initiated by the Women’s Parliamentary Club as the followup to the Elimination of Violence Against Women Workshop held in Bangkok in 2001. o A draft of the new Reproductive Health Bill is nearly completed and ready for internal discussion. o The committee has been delegated to monitor and find preventive solutions to the Avian Flu and they are also currently in the process of organizing and international meeting on the flu. o The committee is also very much involved with the Ministry of Health, conducting follow-up and research on issues as the affects Thailand Senate Standing Committee on Public Health of Thailand o From January to December 2004: Under the Small Grant Project Thailand has been conducting the Tambon Leaders Training. This year, the second year of the project was conducted in 11 provinces through out the year. The training focuses on educating village level elected representatives on HIV/AIDS Senator Dr. Viraphong Sukolkitivat, Chair of the Thai Senate Standing Committee on Public Health being interviewed by local media regarding the Tambon Leaders Training 45 of free trade on public health, the affects of power plant in small communities, the affect of the Southern problem on health in the southern provinces and funding projects by the Health promotion Committee. Vietnam Activities of Vietnam Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development in 2004 With support from UNFPA and AFPPD for advocacy activities on population the following activities were conducted: o Publication and distribution of 5 newsletters “Today population issues”: MDGs, RH, migration, o Organise 3 seminars discussing the Implementation of Population Ordinance and reason of increasing fertility rate. o A national workshop on gender and policy on Urban migration o Organise regional workshop to evaluate the implementation of Ordinance on Elderly, o Sending a staff for 10 month training on population in India Other activities: o In cooperation with WHO to conduct research on Financing Healthcare policy the making special report in Parliament session. o Study tour on Labour migration, Healthcare Law in Malaysia; Population and Urban Migration policy in China; And on gender issues to Finland- Austria; And in Canada o In cooperation with UNDP, a project for Integration of leadership activities in HIV/AIDS prevention for Parliamentarians, SocialCultural Party Commission and 3 provinces in Vietnam was organised. o In cooperation with UNDP project on Advocacy on MDGs in Vietnam was conducted (implementation during second half of 2005). AFPPD 2004 Activities Report o 2 Capacity building training workshops for female parliamentarians on gender analysis in law making and policy supervising o A Capacity building training workshop for female parliamentarians on making decision for important issues o A workshop on gender and social policy o 2 regional seminars for Policy on care for HIV/AIDS people o 3 regional policy workshops on policy of prevention of malnutrition 46 Calendar of Events in 2004 Calendar of AFPPD Events - Year 2004 Dates June 29-30 June 29 July 20 July 26-30 September 22-24 September 28-29 September 28 December 13-14 On-Going Activity Asian Women’s Parliamentarians and Ministers’ Conference, Canberra, Australia Meeting of the Standing Committee on Women, Canberra, Australia 53rd Executive Committee Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Regional Training on Management, Monitoring and Evaluations of Advocacy Programme for National Committees, Bangkok, Thailand Inter-country Parliamentarians Meeting on HIV/AIDS for Youth (Indonesia, Nepal and PNG), Bangkok, Thailand APDA-AFPPD Parliamentarians Seminar, Almaty, Kazakhstan 54th Executive Committee Meeting, Almaty, Kazakhstan Asian Medical Parliamentarians Conference, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Hewlett Foundation Funded Person-to-Person Advocacy Progarmme - Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines AFPPD Participation in ICPD+10 and Other Events Dates February 4-6 February 14-15 March 22-24 April 1-4 May 13-14 July 11-16 July 21-23 August 4-6 August 18-20 August 30 - September 2 September 7-10 September 13-15 October 11-13 October 17-19 Activity Tokyo International Symposium on Capacity Development-organized by JICA, Japan 5th Annual Conference of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank, France UNFPA Population Commission Meeting, USA Fourth Council Meeting of the Inter-European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development, Turkey Global Population Forum - organized by Population Institute, USA The 10th International AIDS Conference, Thailand South East Asian Regional Roundtable of IPPF on ICPD +10, Malaysia South Asian Regional Roundtable of IPPF on ICPD +10, Nepal Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on Environment and Development, Fiji IPPF International Roundtable on ICPD+10, UK International Forum on ICPD and MDG organized by Partners in Development and Government of China, China High-Level Policy Symposium –organized by Population 2050, Japan Pacific Parliamentarians Conference on HIV/AIDS, Fiji 47 International Parliamentarians Conference on ICPD-2004 (Follow-up to Ottawa), France Engaging Parliamentarians AFPPD 2004 Activities Report Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development 48 Phyathai Plaza Bldg., Suite 9-C Phyathai Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Tel: +662-219-2903/4 Fax:+66-2-219-2905 Email: afppd@afppd.org web: www.afppd.org