Barcelona High Level Meeting on SRH Policies in Africa

A High Level Meeting on Sexual and Reproductive (SRH) Policies in Africa was held in Barcelona, Spain from 27 February to 03 March 2007. Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director represented Partners in Population and Development (PPD) in the meeting which was jointly organized by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI), the Catalan Agency for Cooperation and Development (ACCD) and the Spanish Interest Group on Population, Development and Reproductive Health. The meeting brought together representatives from international development agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, representatives of the Ministry of Health of 10 African countries such as Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Namibia, Mozambique, Mauritania, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania. Mr. Jooseery informed the participants on the role South-South Cooperation in improving RH situation in Africa in his speech.

Participants visiting Catalan Parliamentarian during visit

In order for comprehensive and in-depth examination of all relevant reproductive health issues and maximize its outcomes, the meeting was divided in four technical segments, such as (i) Commodities Supplies and Contraceptives, (ii) Maternal Mortality, (iii) Integration of HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Health and Family Planning, (iv) Prevention and Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Cancers.
The Meeting concluded with specific recommendations for appropriate policy changes and associated structural adjustments for realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights in African countries.

Population and Development in Africa: Research and Policy Dialogue for Action

An International Conference on “Population and Development in Africa: Research and Policy Dialogue for Action” was organized by the Department of Social Development, South Africa in collaboration with North West University and African Population Commission in Mafikeng, South Africa from 5 to 8 March 2007. This conference was a follow-up of the international seminar on “The Institutionalization of the Dialogue between Population Research and Development Policy in Africa” organized by South African Government in conjunction with the “International Forum for Social Policy (IFSP)” convened in February 2006 by UNESCO in Argentina and Uruguay.

Mr. Harry S. Jooseery second from the right making a presentation in the conference

Representing PPD in the in the conference Mr. Harry S. Jooseery made a presentation entitled “Framework for Collaboration and Dialogue with Partners in Population and Development on South-South Collaboration”.

The conference outcome include:

• Recommendations for improving the structural integration of population research findings and research organizations into the policy processes of the African Union, regional organizations and countries.
• Facilitation of the cross-pollination of population research and development policy expertise between various governments and research organizations on the African Continent
• A comprehensive report on the proceedings of the conference

Following the conference, Mr. Jooseery held discussions with Department of Social Development on collaborations between South African Government and Partners in Population and Development. He also met and discussed issues of common interest with the representatives of other African Governments and regional organizations.

Presentation of PPD Africa Strategy in New York

Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director of PPD and Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Director, PPD Africa Office presented the PPD Africa Strategy to a multidisciplinary audience in New York on 27 and 28 March 2007. The Strategy Document was initially developed through a rigorous planning exercise in Kampala during 23 to 26 February 2007 by a group of renowned strategists and enlightened experts from PPD Africa Member States, regional organizations in Africa including African Union, UNFPA and Hewlett Foundation.

The presentation program, sponsored by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation at the auditorium of Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), was attended by high-level officials and representatives of David and Lucile Packard Foundation, UNFPA and several other United Nations Agencies, private foundations, civil society organizations, specialized technical organizations. The audience applauded the document and termed it as a high quality document with timely and pragmatic strategies for sustainable development of Africa through attainment of universal reproductive health and rights and express interest to extend necessary support and assistance for its implementation. The audience, however, provided very worthwhile compliments for further improvement of the document. The document is currently being finalized incorporating the comments and observations made by partners in New York.