ENB:06:07
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PROPOSED CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
SWITZERLAND: The delegate from Switzerland endorsed the Swedish proposal for three priority issues or clusters: integrating population concerns into development; the role and status of women; and reproductive rights, reproductive health and family planning.
AUSTRIA: The delegate suggested that: Chapter I contain clear reference to consumption patterns; Chapter II reflect the need for gender equality, the empowerment of women and the education of girls; and the chapter on migration be guided by the recommendations from the European Population Conference.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: The representative from the Dominican Republic highlighted the importance of considering the ageing issue in the PrepCom's deliberations.
CUBA: The delegate from Cuba advocated avoiding negotiating new principles; supported a concise preamble; and stressed the right of countries to develop their own economies and deal with their own social problems.
ZAMBIA: The delegate from Zambia supported the G-77's call that the preamble of the final document include mention of the new agenda for the development of Africa. He advocated a new chapter on finance and international cooperation and expressed hope that the issues of homelessness and AIDS be fully addressed.
MALAYSIA: The representative suggested that: the women's chapter should highlight women's perspectives and participation in population programmes; a separate chapter on family formation be drafted; prevention rather than interruption of pregnancies should be the method of choice; and that morbidity should be addressed.
UNITED STATES: Amb. Warren Zimmermann reiterated a number of the common themes at this PrepCom. He outlined suggestions for the conceptual framework, including: incorporating gender equality and equity along with women's empowerment in Chapter II; recognizing the variety of family forms in Chapter III; addressing reproductive health, reproductive rights, family planning, adolescent sexuality and fertility, and gender relations in Chapter IV; and adding a chapter on health and mortality.
GUINEA BISSAU: The delegate suggested that the final document highlight the interdependence between demographic and development problems. In addition, the education and training of women are conditions for effective population programmes.
UNDP: The representative from UNDP commented on the fact that approaches that enhance people's capabilities to remove the poverty barriers are also effective in lowering fertility rates.
DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVE WITH WOMEN FOR A NEW ERA: Jocelyn Dow stated that governments in poor countries must defy structural adjustment programmes. She urged the prioritization of women's education, investment in social services and population control in the context of environmental crises.
PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR GLOBAL ACTION: Senator Silvia Hernandez identified some of the solutions for meeting the population and development challenge: improved family planning services and reproductive rights; improved education; more equitable consumption patterns; further debt relief; and the empowerment of women.
CHINA: Zhao Zhipei referred to Chinese national family planning efforts and related drops in the infant mortality rate and increase in average life expectancy.
MALI: The delegate recommended: reinforcing the linkage between population and socio-economic development (Chapter I); including women in the decision-making process (Chapter II); protecting the family, children and youth (Chapter III); the need to strengthen family planning, combat sexually transmitted diseases and high fertility (Chapter IV); solutions to the AIDS pandemic (Chapter V); and changing Chapter XI's title to "Mobilization of Financial Resources."
MEXICO: The delegate addressed issues related to internal and international migration and called for investment in education as a basic social service. He called for family planning efforts to be substantially enhanced.
GUINEA: The delegate from Guinea said that the final document should emphasize family problems, human rights, the role of women and the role of NGOs. It was suggested that a chapter be added on training and employment.
INDONESIA: Dr. Abdullah Cholil supported: the crucial role of women in health and population, as well as the male and youth segments of society; recognition of the individual's reproductive rights; integration of population concerns into development; and increased references to national activities in developed nations.
BANGLADESH: The delegate urged that delegates take into account successes and failures since 1974 when formulating the new plan of action. He requested that the final document reflect the diverse situations in developing countries and stated that the most critical issue is the means of implementation.
HOLY SEE: Archbishop Renato R. Martino stated that voluntary abortion under the guise of other perceived rights violates the most fundamental right of any human being to life. He said that the Catholic Church does not propose procreation at any cost, but rather it opposes demographic policies and family planning that are contrary to the liberty, dignity and conscience of the human being.
At the conclusion of the Holy See's intervention, Dr. Sai welcomed the introduction of moral and ethical issues into the discussion. He then asked why the Vatican could support the blessings of modern medicine but could not make modern contraceptives available, saying that morals and ethics are a two-way street.
RUSSIAN FEDERATION: The delegate mentioned that the final document should have a cluster relating to the demographic complications of countries with economies in transition. He suggested breaking down the principles into three categories: human rights, environment and living conditions.
NIGERIA: K.O. Olisemeka outlined the four pillars which should form the core of any population strategy: increase political commitments; develop participatory national strategies and programmes; accelerate resources mobilization; improve and intensify family planning.
INDIA: Usha Vohra stated that Cairo should not become an umbrella conference that crowds the agenda with related important issues which are not directly related to population and development, such as the environment and women. She then made a number of specific recommendations for the restructuring of the conceptual framework to focus more on population.
GUATEMALAN ASSOCIATION FOR SEXUAL EDUCATION: The representative mentioned a number of issues including: the empowerment of women; the responsibilities of men in making reproductive decisions and caring for children; maternal mortality due to clandestine abortions; protection of women and children from sexual abuse; and the hope that NGOs will be part of delegations in Cairo.
FOUR DIRECTIONS COUNCIL: Andrew Adams III stated, on behalf of indigenous peoples, that the problem is not that their population is growing too fast, but that it is decreasing as a result of unsustainable consumption and development policies.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS: The representative spoke on behalf of the NGO Committee on Ageing and noted that this is "something that we are all doing." She made a number of recommendations, including: bringing the active older person into the mainstream of economic and social development and access by older people to adequate resources to meet basic needs.
SOCIOLOGISTS FOR WOMEN AND SOCIETY: Dr. Elaine Woolfson advocated expanding the framework to include health of ageing women; rights of couples; the importance of economic funding streams; and the extension of women's health services.
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS: The representative supported Guinea's call for a chapter on training and employment and said that the creation of productive employment is the best way to confront poverty and migration.
ASIA INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S NETWORK: The representative advocated the integration of the concerns of indigenous peoples into all areas of the final document. She called for the convening of an expert group on indigenous peoples or some other forum to hear their perspective.