URUGUAY: Study Shows Generational Inequalities
El País reported on 21 November that according to the data provided by the research “The System of National Transfer Account,” which was supported by UNFPA, on average older people receive three times more public transfers than those persons younger than 20 years. Thus, consumption for children and adolescent is financed mostly by families. This larger dependency of children from their social environment has negative effects on social mobility, since public funding mechanisms tend to generate social equality.
In an interview with Fernando Filgueira, UNFPA Assistant Representative, the country demographic trends (population growth stagnation, aging) are discussed and how that affects the future of the social provision matrix. According to UNFPA’s projection, by 2019 the number of people older than 60 years is going to overcome the number of people younger than 14, and therefore demographic dependency is going to increase considerably. To deal with this situation, it is indispensable to invest in children and young people, especially through health and education public transfers. Read more in Spanish: El País
VIET NAM: Population, Housing Data on Web
Multiple media outlets reported on 21 November that the General Statistics Office (GSO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) organized a ceremony to launch two websites for data on population and housing, as well as family planning and annual population change surveys in Viet Nam. Data on the 2009 Census on Population and Housing is available at http://www.gso.gov.vn/khodulieudanso, while information on family planning and migration is at http://www.gso.gov.vn/khobdds. Visitors to these sites can access results of the population and housing census, as well as population forecasts, information on education in the country, migration and urbanisation trends and major target achievements. Speaking at the launch, UNFPA Representative Bruce Campbell said the data warehouses of the 2009 Population and Housing Census and the Annual Population Change and Family Planning surveys are extremely important for the government to create and manage sound evidence-based policies and programmes and generate the political will to address current and future needs.
"Within the One-UN framework, we are committed to continue support to the Government of Viet Nam, through our assistance to the General Statistics Office in the implementation of Viet Nam Statistical Development Strategy which aims at improving data quality and harmonized data collection, analysis, dissemination and utilization. The UN agencies are also actively using the important data for developing assistance programmes for the 2012-2016 period," said Mr Campbell. Read in English: VOV Read in Vietnamese: Viet Nam Plus, Viet Nam News agency, VOV News, Tuoi Tre and Nguoi Lao Dong
KYRGYZSTAN: Introducing the PC-Axis Programme
Akipress, 24 KG, Kabar, kyrgyzembassy site on 21-23 November reported that the United Nations Population Fund in the Kyrgyz Republic, in collaboration with the Kyrgyz National Statistical Committee (NSC) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), conducted training for staff of the NSC on the application of the PC-Axis programme. This programme has been used successfully for more than 55 statistical offices, including Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine and Moldova. This programme is very important for dissemination of statistical data among a wide range of data users. Kyrgyzstan is the first Central Asian country to become a member of an international consortium of PC-Axis and implement this programme, which allows you to save all data in a single unified database. This programme will be installed on the site of NSC-www.stat.kg, which will allow any user to obtain data on the census 2009 in an accessible format. Read in Russian: Akipress, 24 KG, Kabar, and kyrgyzembassy site
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON WORLD OF 7 BILLION
LEBANON: Al Moustaqbal newspaper reported on 18 November on the participation of the Hammoud hospital in Saida, south Lebanon, in the 7 Billion baby initiative. The article describes the initiative led by UNFPA and features the birth certificate that was distributed to newborns and which includes the babies’ 7 resolutions for addressing the challenges of a world of 7 billion. Read in Arabic: Al Moustaqbal
TOGO: Togo Presse on 16 November reported that the global UNFPA-led “7Billion Actions Campaign” continues in Togo as two more “7Billion” births were recorded in Blitta and Notse respectively, on 31 October. The two babies were happy recipients of imbedded mosquito nets and a symbolic financial donation of 15,000f CFA each, from the Minister of Health.
The occasion was another opportunity to sensitize and inform the general population and decision-makers on the issue of the challenges of the global population growth. The District Heads of both regions seized the moment to encourage the general population to cultivate the culture of responsible behaviour and the practice of family planning methods for better (and safer) birth control.
MALAWI: Population Growth Derails Climate Change Adaptation
The Daily Times reported on 21 November that UNFPA has joined with a US-based organization, Population Action International, to strengthen learning on the linkages of population and climate change by developing a series of training materials through the UN Climate Change learning platform (UNCC), a partnership of 30 UN agencies which supports member states.
According to the UNFPA country office in Malawi, unsustainable natural resources costs Malawi US$191 million, or 5.3 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) each year.
“To put this into this context, Malawi’s economic development and social well-being depends, to a large extent, on the country’s natural base for exports, national food security, energy and water provision. Over 80 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture for their incomes and broader livelihoods. Not surprisingly Malawi has one of the highest levels of deforestation in the world,” says Gift Malunga, UNFPA deputy representative.
Malunga adds that rapid population growth, migration, urbanization and other demographic trends impact people’s vulnerability to the negative effects of climate change.
UNFPA observes that as the population grows, more pressure will be exerted on the country’s subsistence agricultural system as family farmland is fragmented into smaller uneconomic units. In addition, the rural to urban migration will increase with negative socio-economic implications on women, children and the elderly.
BURKINA FASO: Workshop Trains for Emergency Reproductive Health
Sidwaya on 21 November reported on the maternal and neonatal health and reproductive health in crisis situation.
The Director of Maternal and Neonatal Health organized the workshop, which trained health workers in the North and Sahel regions on the minimum emergency plan of reproductive health. This workshop was possible by the technical and financial support of the UNFPA/Burkina.
GLOBAL: CONTINUING COVERAGE ON RELEASE OF STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2011
DENMARK: Between October 27 and November 17, multiple print, web, radio and broadcasting media outlets reported on the world of 7 billion, referring to the SWOP and the work of UNFPA.
In Denmark, the SWOP was launched on November 9, coinciding with the opening of the UNFPA-National Geographic photo exhibition on 7 billion. UNFPA patron, the Crown Princess of Denmark took part in this event. Information about the SWOP launch was also published by local partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read in Danish: u-landsnyt.dk, Danish radio P1: Interview with Chief of UNFPA Nordic Office Pernille Fenger, DR, DR, Ekstra Bladet, Ekstra Bladet, Ekstra Bladet, BT, BT, Jyllands-posten, Berlingske Tidene: joint op-ed UNFPA ED Babatunde Osotimehin and Danish Minister for Development, Berlingske Tidene, Kristeligt Dagblad, Politiken, Politiken, Politiken, Politiken, Billed Bladet, UNA-Denmark, Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Altinget.dk, Danish Royal Court Coverage from Ritzau, the Danish news agency: Ekstra bladet, DR, Fyens DK, Helsingør Dagblad, Jubii, tidende.dk, BT, Nordvestnyt, Horsens Folkeblad, Børsen, Vejle Amts Folkeblad, Information, SN.dk, konferencer.info, Nyhederommad, mja.dk, Berlingske, dailynews.dk
FIJI: The Fiji Times reported on 17 November that in areas of the world where the population was growing fast, education played a critical role in empowering women to make choices, including those related to reproduction. United Nations Population Fund Pacific Sub-Regional Office Assistant Representative Virisila Raitamata said that while the milestone of seven billion meant more children were surviving and humanity was living longer, disparities in rights and opportunities continued between men and women. She made the remarks while launching the State of the World Population Report 2011 at a meeting of local and international affiliates of the International Council of Women here for a week-long deliberation on food security on the West Coast. Read in English: Fiji Times
The Fiji Times on 17 November reported on United Nations Population Fund Pacific Sub-Regional Office Assistant Representative Virisila Raitamata speaking of the importance of investment in young people. Launching the State of World Population Report 2011: People and Possibilities in a World of 7 Billion, she said the report considered this high proportion of youth as a “new global power”. "It is reshaping the world for more equitable access to resources and opportunities. Governments are encouraged to invest in education and youth employment schemes as a way for youths to acquire the skills and social networks required to position them for a fulfilling life,” Ms Raitamata said. Read in English: Fiji Times
PARAGUAY: Radio Ñanduti reported on 20 November that "the previous report raised lower fertility rates and this, however, highlighted that in the year 2020, fertility rates start to rise. That is the main alarm, in a world where we have reached the 7 billion people," explained Mr. Aldo Natalizia UNFPA Paraguay Officer, at the launch of The State World Population 2011. It was at the table together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), that shared some preliminary data from the Migration Profile of Paraguay. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti
Radio Ñanduti reported on 18 November that the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) released its report State of World Population 2011. 7 billion people: the world their capabilities. It will be at the 4th Paraguayan Congress on Population. The presentation was made by Aldo Natalizia, Officer for UNFPA Population and Development. The report summarizes key aspects about the milestone that the population has reached this year's 7 billion people, and reflects on the challenges and opportunities associated with this fact. Read in Spanish: Radio Ñanduti.
La Nación reported on 17 November that the State of World Population 2011 will be presented at the 4th Paraguayan Congress on Population. The Executive Director of UNFPA, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, said that, "if we plan and perform the necessary investment now in our world people 7 billion will have prosperous cities and sustainable workforce that drives economies and young populations contribute to the welfare of their societies." Read in Spanish: La Nación.
UZBEKISTAN: UzReport, UzDaily and Central Asian News reported on 15-16 November on the launching in Uzbekistan of UNFPA’s flagship report, State of the World Population 2011. This year’s report highlights an important milestone of the world reaching 7 billion people that was marked globally in October 2011. The launching of The State of World Population Report in Uzbekistan precedes the two-day conference “Population of Uzbekistan: 20 Years of Independent Development” that will take place on 16-17 November 2011. Read in Russian: UzReport, UzDaily and Central Asian News Read in English: UzDaily
TANZANIA: Youth Potential for Development
The Guardian on 21 November reported that Swedish ambassador to Tanzania lennath Hjelmaker has urged the government, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to initiate projects and programmes to absorb the increasing number of unemployed but talented youth. The envoy’s call comes nearly three weeks after UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo called on the government and other stakeholders to work out plans that would ensure employment opportunities for the thousands of unemployed youths. Dr. Onabanjo further said, “Tanzania needs to be able to tap into this large human capital base of young people of working class age, to ensure they remain an asset for development and not a liability.”