On the 20 of April UNFPA and USP launched the Preceeding of the Regional Symposium which was held at the University of the South Pacific from 23-25 November, 2009. The 400 page book (edited by Wadan Narsey, Annette Sachs Robertson, Biman Chand Prasad and others) brings together all the plenary presentations, panel presentations and ensuing discussions. This publication is expected to be a comprehensive and useful resource for Pacific population and development issues for policy makers, academics, students, development partners and the general public. It contributes to furthering the Programme of Action of the International Conference of Population and Development (ICPD).

Background

In 2009, UNFPA and USP had jointly organized three-day regional symposium on population and development issues in the Pacific.  Attended by academics, policy makers and practitioners throughout the Pacific, plenary sessions and panel discussions of the symposium covered a wide range of Pacific population and development issues: international developments in population policy; changing age structures, labour markets, public finance and poverty;  aging populations; family planning and reproductive health; mortality, morbidity, obesity, and  nutrition;  STIs, HIV and AIDS  and youth; violence against women; data issues; urbanisation, housing, health, environment; climate change and population displacement; and regional trade negotiations and population mobility

The Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra and the Director and Representative of UNFPA Pacific, Mr. Dirk Jena launch the book. Also in picture is Professor Biman Chand Prasad (right), the Dean of FBE.