Pacific Roundup 1996

World Population Day

World Population Day (WPD) was celebrated widely in the Pacific islands. The theme for this year's WPD activities was "Community and Responsibility : Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS'.

Federated States of Micronesia

"AIDS is not undefeatable, it can be prevented: Act responsibly".

This was the message of the banners that were flown in the state centres and at school areas in the four FSM States. For the first time, the Federated States of Micronesia joined other parts of the world in celebrating World Population Day. Activities commemorating the event were carried out in the four FSM States.

In addition to the banners, the family planning staff of the Ministry of Health sent messages related to the World Population Day theme over the local radio stations. They gave talks regarding family planning, HIV/AIDS, issues related to population growth and other health related messages in schools. Posters on world population, information and pamphlets relating to reproductive health issues were also distributed to the public and in schools.

Fiji

Ministries cooperate

In Fiji, both the local dailies published feature articles on population, a two-page supplement on WPD, and TV Fiji aired a specially prepared video "A Matter of Concern", as well as footage from the video "We are the UNFPA". The Ministries of Health and Education and the Cooperative Department collaborated to present educational programmes over radio during the week. Nine workshops were conducted in various locations by government and NGOs focusing on the theme "HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health".




Free tests in Raiwaqa

Raiwaqa, a densely populated suburb of Suva's low cost housing estates, celebrated World Population Day with the Red Cross and the Raiwaqa Health Centre performing free services, including Pap smears, blood pressure tests, blood sugar tests and dental check-up. The Red Cross also distributed materials about the prevention and risks associated with sex related diseases and AIDS.




Members of the Wise Up Theatre group during WPD celebrations in Fiji (Photo: The Fiji Times)

The highlight of the celebrations in Fiji was the address by the UNFPA Representative on the WPD theme and the launch of the State of the World Population 1996 Report at an evening function on 11 July for over 200 participants and guests during the 5th Pacific Island Conference of Leaders at the Sheraton Resort in Nadi.

Marshall Islands

Market Place - hub of activity

The market place was the hub of activity for the celebrations in the Marshall Islands as the Youth to Youth in Health' group sang songs composed on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health. Speeches by prominent leaders included the President of the Republic, the Minister of Health, and the Mayor of Majuro Atoll Local Government, with the proceedings broadcast live over the radio. The winning entries of a poster competition were also presented with prizes. The Marshall Islands Journal gave extensive coverage on population issues during the whole month of July. The local TV station aired interviews with national personalities.

Republic of Palau

Sexuality awareness

Raising awareness, focusing on HIV/AIDS and Reproductive Health, for students, teachers, parents and community leaders were part of the WPD celebrations in Palau. Five such meetings were organized for the Palauan community.

Solomon Islands

Special video tape

A march through town, skits, video shows and radio broadcasts were the order of the day at the celebrations in Honiara. The Minister for National Planning and Development, Hon. David Sitai officially opened the celebration which saw four hundred people in attendance. The UNFPA Representative, on mission to Solomon Islands, gave the keynote address. A specially produced video-tape Concern for the future' was shown.

Tonga

National workshop & parade

A procession of six floats displaying appropriate messages on key population issues was part of the celebration in Tonga. The celebrations included panel discussions on Population and development in Tonga towards the 21st Century' and Community and Responsibility : RH and HIV/AIDS'.

These panel discussions by national experts, as well as an exhibition of posters, debates, and presentation of prizes to essay contest winners, were broadcast over the radio and TV, creating a lot of public interest.

To coincide with WPD, a national workshop on Population Policy Development, funded jointly by UNFPA and AusAID, was convened during the week of 8-12 July, and helped to create a lot of awareness on population issues in Tonga.



World Population Day celebrations in Tonga



Tuvalu

Panel discussions

A panel discussion on HIV/AIDS was broadcast live over the radio on WPD. The panelists included representatives from the Ministry of Health and NGOs. The wife of the Prime Minister, launched a video tape Reproductive health' which was specially produced for Tuvalu under project number TUV/95/P01 for the WPD.

Vanuatu

Posters & exhibitions

Plays focusing on AIDS and its Consequences' and Population Growth and Environment, Housing and Resources from Sea and Land' were performed by a local theatre group during the World Population Day celebrations. An exhibition featured Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials on gender issues, women's reproductive health, urbanization and its impact on population, AIDS and HIV transmission, family planning, and population distribution in Vanuatu.

There was a poster competition on Violence against women' and members of the Vanuatu Population Board were interviewed over the radio on topics such as high fertility, rapid population growth, poverty and HIV/AIDS. The TV station aired a special programme on violence against women.

Western Samoa

Essay & singing competitions

On the morning of 11 July, a formal ceremony was organized to declare open the national commemoration of World Population Day in Western Samoa. Parliamentarians, traditional chiefs and religious leaders participated. The Minister of Health was the chief guest and Mr. Anthony Patten, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative delivered the keynote address on the World Population Day theme and launched the State of the World Population Report.

The newspaper published supplements featuring Dr. Nafis Sadik's message, World Population Day themes, and highlights of the State of the World Population Report. The winners of the essay competition for schools and a singing competition for out of school youth, on the World Population Day theme of "Community and Responsibility: Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS", were presented prizes during the opening ceremony of the World Population Day celebrations by the Minister of Health.