AFPPD INFORMATION SERVICE

Issue#3 September 1997

PARLIAMENTARIANS MEET TO DISCUSS WOMEN, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT

80 Parliamentarians around the world mostly with Medical background met at Bangkok to discuss women, health and environment on 4-6 August 1997.

The parliamentarians in a call for action asked follow parliamentarians to campaign Women's Health and Environment Situation in their countries apart from making sure that status of women is promoted.

This conference was convened by International Medical Parliamentarians Organization (IMPO) in cooperation with WHO/SEARO and Senate Committee on Public Health, Thailand.

H.E. ACM Prapan Dhupatemiya, Vice - President of the Thai Senate open the meeting. Dr. Uton Rafei, Regional Director WHO/SEARO, Prof. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, Secretary General, IMPO and Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Coordinator spoke at the opening. The resource person were Dr. Tomris Turman, Dr. Jackie Sims, Dr. Yuji Kawaguchi, WHO Geneva. Dr. Nafsiah Mboi, MP Indonesia, Dr. Abdul Sattar Yoosuf, WHO/SEARO, Ms. T.K. Hungwe, Deputy Minister for Health, Zimbabwe and Ms, Paula Kokkonen, M.P. Finland, Dr. Taro Nakayama, M.P. Japan and President IMPO also addressed the conference

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENTARIANS VISIT

15 member Australia and New Zealand Parliamentarians group visited Thailand and Vietnam to observer family planning, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS program. This study visit was sponsored by Rockefeller Foundation and organized by AFPPD in cooperation with All Party Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development of Australia and Family Planning Association of New Zealand with assistance from Ministry of Public Health, Thailand and Parliament of Vietnam.

The Parliamentarians visit HIV/AIDS Hospitals, Family Planning Centers, the Population and Development Association (PDA), Hill tribe project in Northern Thailand and Similar project in Vietnam including condom manufacturing plant in Vietnam.

The usefulness of the visit is reflected from the letters received from the parliamentarians.

Mr. Colin Hollis, M.P. (Australia) said "it was a worthwhile to visit family planning and other projects and see how they are benefiting common people." Ms. Annette Ellis M.P. (Australia) said "My knowledge of the challenge facing Thailand and Vietnam in the area of Community, Population and Development has been enhanced. I will certainly put to good use in my parliamentary work the experience and knowledge gained during the tour"

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF AFRICAN AND
ARAB PARLIAMENTARIANS TO MEET IN SENEGAL

The First Executive Committee Meeting of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAAPPD) will meet on 30th September and 1 October 1997 in Dakar Senegal at the invitation of the Parliament of Senegal.

CHINA ORGANISE NATIONAL PARLIAMENTAIRANS SEMINAR

The Committee of National Peoples Congress organized first ever National Seminar of Parliamentarians on Water Resource and Population in City Hotel, Beijing on 9 and 10 September 97. The Seminar attended by 35 members of National Peoples Congress and State People Congress heard some very frank and open statement from resources person from universities and parliamentarians. The Seminar was opened by Mme. Lei Jiegiang, Deputy Speaker and chaired by Mme. Hao Yichun of the Science, Culture and Health Committee of NPC. Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director of AFPPD attended the seminar.

REORGANISED PARLIAMENTARIANS COMMITTEE ON POPULATION IN PAKISTAN

The Hon. Speaker of Pakistan Mr. Illahi Bukhsh Soomro is the new chairman of the Pakistan Parliamentarians Group on Population and Development with membership from all Political groups. They have also appointed Mr. Amir Khan - as the full time program officer of the committee.

SUDAN CONSTITUTED PARLIAMENTARIANS COMMITTEE ON POPULATION

The Parliamentarians Committee on Population under the Committee for Social Affairs has been constituted, Dr. Imail Al-Hadj Mousa, President of National Council of Social offers Committee will be the president of the Committee, UNFPA and FPA Sudan are supporting the work of the committee, which will be a member of the Forum of African and Arab Parliamentarians on Population and Development (FAAPPD)

VIETNAM NATIONAL SEMINAR ON WATER RESOURCE

The Vietnam Association of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (VAPPD) organized a National Parliamentarians Seminar on Water Resource and Population at Hanoi on 9-10 June which was attended by more than n 50 parliamentarians, Prof. Dr. Prasop Ratanakorn, Secretary General and Mr. Shiv Khare, Executive Director, AFPPD attended this meeting.

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Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development
The Neurological Research Foundation Bldg.
Sala Pamnak, 312 Rajavithi Road
Phyathai, Bangkok 10400 Thailand
Tel: (662) 248-6726-7 Fax: (662) 246-8827
E-Mail: skhare@mozart.inet.co.th