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XI. POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION

This chapter contains the following sections: education, population and sustainable development; and population information, education and communication. On Thursday, 8 September, Vice-Chair Lionel Hurst indicated that the paragraphs that deal with fertility regulation and sexual and reproductive health would not be addressed until the issue was resolved in Chapter VII. In paragraph 11.2 (education), brackets around "taking into account religious and cultural values of migrants" were quickly removed after Canada suggested "which respects the religious and cultural backgrounds of migrants." In paragraph 11.4 (education of young people), delegates had to choose between an original and an alternative draft. Uganda said that the alternative draft dealt better with the interests of both developed and developing countries, the issue of rural-urban migration and the "brain drain." Chile proposed an amendment calling for harmonious development of educational systems. The alternative draft was accepted with this amendment.

In paragraph 11.16 (raising awareness through information), the following text was added: "More education is needed in all societies on the implications of population-environment relationships, in order to influence behavioural change and consumer lifestyles, and to promote sustainable management of natural resources. The media should be a major instrument for expanding knowledge and motivation."

Discussion then turned to paragraph 11.23, which deals with the use of entertainment programmes as a means of encouraging public discussions of topics related to the implementation of the Programme of Action. There was a lengthy debate whether the use of such programmes should be "greater," "appropriate," "better," "effective,"or "with greater effectiveness." Algeria, supported by the EU, asked whether this was really a substantial point and delegates finally agreed on "greater and effective."

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