The 16th Brussels Development Briefing on “Population growth and its implications for developing and ACP countries” took place, at the Borschette Center, on Wednesday 27th January 2010 (8h30-13h00). The Briefing examined the current state and future projections of Population growth at global and regional levels and the main issues and challenges involved from a development perspective. Future Policy responses to address the identified challenges were also part of the discussions.
Welcome remarks by the organisers: Lluis Riera Figueras, Director of DG Development, European Commission, Sir John Kaputin, Chair of the ACP Committee of Ambassadors, Dr Hansjörg Neun, Director of CTA
Panel 1 – Prospects and trends of population growth
This panel will review the major trends (current state and future projections) in population at global and regional levels, especially from a development perspective. It will look at the main issues involved in population growth in terms of impact on economic development, migration movements, pressures on environment and natural resources management. Discussions will also touch the issue of gender and reproductive health.
Panelists:
- An overview of emerging global and regional demographic trends and statistical data, Carl Haub, Conrad Taeuber, Chair of Population Information, PRB, USA, [Presentation]
- Migration, remittances and development in Africa, Professeur Yves Charbit, Director, CEPED, France, [Executive Summary], [Presentation]
- Population growth and youth in rural areas: the case of Kenya and Uganda, Mona Herbert, country director DSW Uganda [Executive Summary], [Presentation], and George Ouma, country director DSW Kenya, [Presentation]
Panel 2 – Policy options and actions needed to address population
This panel will discuss critical policy interventions needed to address the effects of population changes on public health, family planning, education, migration, trade and investment. A key area will also be the future of rural areas and the needed interventions in view of the increases urbanisations if nothing is done as to attract youth in farm and non farm activities.
Panelists:
- Interactions between population and education as drivers of development, Wolfgang Lutz, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Austria, [Executive Summary], [Presentation]
- Investing in women’s empowerment to boost economic development and reduce poverty, Sietske Steneker, Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- Role of policy-makers in promoting gender equality and investment in rural areas, Neil Datta, Secretary, European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development, [Presentation]
Conclusions
Posted by ctabrussels 






