Southpac News

UNFPA Country Support Team for the South Pacific

The Minister for Education, Hon. Mr Pratap Chand launched the State of the World Population 1999 Report on the 22 September 1999 at the Fiji Medical Association Hall, Brown Street, Suva. During the launching of the Report, he said that it was important that the young are educated in factual terms about the immediate and long term effects of behavioural choices which will enable them to make responsible decisions. Sex education in schools is essential in order to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, thus improving young people's life options.

The theme of the report this year was Six Billion - a time for choices. The Report highlighted the critical decisions facing the world as population surpasses the 6 billion. The launching was followed by an oratorical contest in which nine schools from the Central Division participated. Sailosi Ratumaitavuki of Marist Brothers High School won first prize of $200, Litia Vateitei of Adi Cakobau Secondary School and Asena Raibevu of Raiwaqa Methodist High School winning second and third place respectively. Sailosi spoke on Men and Partners - Involving Men in Reproductive Health Issues.

Day of 6 Billion

12 October 1999 marked the growth of world population to 6 billion people. The day was commemorated at the Fiji School of Medicine

UNFPA 30^th Anniversary

In a resolution passed on 27 October 1999 the UN General Assembly noted "with appreciation the positive contributions the Fund and its dedicated staff have made during its thirty years in promoting better understanding and awareness of population and development issues, in improving the quality of human life". UNFPA was established in 1969 to support population programmes in developing countries. When the United Nations Population Fund started operations in 1969 it received $3.9 million in core voluntary contributions compared to $269 million in 1998. The number of donors has grown from 7 to 93 in 1998. By the middle of 1999, the Fund had received $4.5 billion in total contributions. In its initial year, world population was estimated at 3.7 billion, and growing at 2.04% annually. In 1999 world population reached 6 billion, but the rate of growth fell one third to 1.31%. Since UNFPA's operationalization many things have changed in the field of population : then, women in developing countries had an average of five children each. Today, they have fewer than three. Then, under 20% of couples used family planning. Today, about 60% do and the vast majority of governments support it. Then, average life expectancy was 59 years. Now, it is well over 60 in the Pacific island countries.

Training Workshop on Information Technology for Population Information Professionals

The Workshop was held in Beijing, China from 11-15 October. The CST Suva was represented by Mr. Sefo Farpapa'u, the Team's Documentalist.