Project News
Federated States of Micronesia
FSM Releases Census Report
The successful completion of the 1994 FSM census of Population and Housing has culminated in the release of the National Census Report. The 1994 Census was the first truly national census for the FSM. Previous censuses, conducted from 1985 to 1989 for the four FSM states, differed in their design and the scope of topics covered. In contrast the 1994 census was organised on a common basis throughout the FSM and fieldwork was carried out simultaneously in all states.
In his message marking the release of the Report, Mr. Bermin F. Weilbacher, the FSM National Planner, acknowledged the joint effort between the national and state governments and international organisations. As
partners in this enterprise, UNFPA, the US Bureau of the Census and the South Pacific Commission contributed substantial financial and technical assistance.
The results bring mixed news to population and development planners. The national population increased from about 62,000 in 1973 to 105,506 in 1994. It grew at a mean annual rate of 2.6 per cent from 1973 to the early 1980's and since then at 1.9 per cent. If growth were to continue at the current rate the population would double in about 36 years. Better news is the recent sharp decline in fertility. The Crude Birth Rate has fallen from around 49 per thousand in 1973 to about 31 per thousand in 1994. The Total Fertility Rate has similarly declined from 8.2 children per woman in 1973 to about 4.7 children per woman in 1994. The report suggests that the extension of reproductive health services, higher female education attainment and increased female participation in the labour force were major contributing factors.
A second national publication with detailed statistical tables will be released shortly. State census reports are also currently being prepared. UNFPA CST looks forward to receiving these and other results from the census.
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Papua New Guinea
Provincial Implementation Plans of the National Population Policy
The UNFPA-funded and International Labour Organization-executed project PNG/94/P01, "Integration of Population Factors into Development Planning" has embarked on an ambitious plan in developing an implementation
plan under the umbrella of the National Population Policy (NPP) in each of the country's 20 provinces.
The NPP is a national policy with national objectives, targets, strategies, etc. There are, however, enormous differences in the demographic and socio-economic situation and trends of the provinces. For planning at this level, a document which addresses provincial problems and specifies the province's specific objectives, targets, strategies,
etc. is needed. The country is divided into four main regions, namely: Highlands, Momase, Papua, and Islands; and has 20 provinces. Papua New Guinea has a decentralised system of government, and since the introduction of the "Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments", the provinces have been given increased responsibilities including the area of planning, therefore the provincial implementation plans are also part and parcel of the implementation of the Organic Law.
Implementation plans have already started in four provinces (West New Britain, Madang, Western Highlands and Milne Bay) which will be models or pilot provinces for the four main regions. Work in six other provinces are now taking place and will end in July 1997.
The first phase of the workplan will consist of one-week workshops in which provincial policy makers planners, district managers, etc., are familiarised with integrated population and development planning concepts, formulation of provincial objectives, targets and strategies. The fertility, mortality and migration assumptions for the medium projection
for the period 1990-2010 are also identified. Committees will also be formed in each province to oversee activities and the smooth running of the execution of the implementation plan.
Funds for the activities related to the introduction of the implementation plans in the first ten provinces are from the
UNFPA-funded project PNG/94/P01. The provinces also make a substantial financial contribution in terms of the provision of human resources and partial funding of the workshops. This activity is an excellent example of the implementation in a very practical way of the Plan of Action formulated during the 1994 ICPD in Cairo.
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Western Samoa
Youth Project Boosts Training
Under the UNFPA-funded project SAM/93/P01 Training for youth in home management and family welfare', the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Cultural affairs organises a series of training programmes at the village level for youth leaders. Six such programmes were held in the period February - April 1995 with the participation of 198 youth leaders of whom 57 were young women.
The programmes sought to develop a better understanding of population and family life issues with particular reference to problems such as suicide, juvenile delinquency, teenage pregnancies, alcoholism and drug abuse. Discussion of the major problems of adolescent health and the risks associated with unprotected sexual activities formed important
features of the training.
The project also organized a national youth seminar during 29 April - 3 May 1996. The Seminar brought together 90 youth group leaders including fifteen from young women's groups. The Seminar, which was residential, highlighted the problems faced by youth, their critical needs and the physical, psychological and social aspects of reproductive health as well as the role of youth in national development. Hon. Pule Lemako, Minister of Youth, Sports and Cultural Affairs delivered the keynote address at the Seminar. In his address, he underlined the importance of training for youth for enhancement of their knowledge and skills for their betterment as well as the well-being of the nation.