The 16th Brussels Development Briefing on “Population growth and its implications for ACP rural development” 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.
New! on the subject of “Population growth and ACP rural development”
Biodata of speakers and discussants
Programme and Objectives of the Briefing
Isolina Boto, CTA
Introductory remarks
Jean-Claude Boidin, Head of Unit, EC and Dr Hansjörg Neun, Director of CTA
Panel 1: Prospects and trends of population growth
This panel reviewed the major trends (current state and future projections) in population at global and regional levels, especially from a development perspective. It looked 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 also touched the issue of gender and reproductive health.
Chair: Marianne Haslegrave, Director of the Commonwealth Medical Trust
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 discussed critical policy interventions needed to address the effects of population changes on public health, family planning, education, migration, trade and investment. A key topic was also 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.
Chair: M. Kahijoro Kahuure, First Secretary, Ministry of Health, Namibia
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), Brussels [Statement]
– 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
