Workshop on South-South Cooperation in Reproduction Health and Population, Tunisia

A National workshop on South-South Cooperation in Reproductive Health and Population was organized by National Family and Population Board (ONFP) in collaboration with Partners in Population and Development (PPD) in Tunis, Tunisia on September 4, 2007. The workshop was attended by high level Government delegates from the Ministry of Health and Population, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives from UNFPA, Spanish Agency Cooperation, JICA and other civil society organizations.

The Director-General of ONFP Professor Nébiha Gueddana delivering her opening speech in the workshop

The objective of the workshop was to generate greater understanding at the national level on how South-South Cooperation can effectively contribute towards attainment of sustainable development.

The Director-General of ONFP Professor Nébiha Gueddana mentioned on the success of the Tunisian approach to reproductive health (RH) and strengthened the setting up of a programme aimed to improve health indicators among the Southern countries of the African continent. Prof. Gueddana emphasized the Tunisian technical follow-up and training groups' important role in the southern countries in transferring Tunisian efficient and performing experience in matters of health in general and RH in particular. She specified that these groups had contributed to the implementation of the health programmes in several African countries such as Niger, Mauritania, Chad, Djibouti, Mali and South Africa.

Mr. Harry Jooseery, Executive Director, PPD praised Tunisia's remarkable contribution as part of this co-operation. He highlighted that the countries of the South have a wealth of experience, knowledge and expertise in the field of RH, Population and Development that can be shared with other countries of the South for greater benefit of all. The workshop emphasized on the results achieved by the Tunisian experience on South-South Cooperation and knowledge on prospects for extending this cooperation and diversifying its fields.

International Workshop on Infrastructure Design and Equipment for Reproductive Health Service Station in China

An International Workshop on Infrastructure Design and Equipment for Reproductive Health Service Station was organized by China Training Centre (CTC) of Reproductive Health and Family Care sponsored jointly by the Ministry of Commerce, People’s Republic of China and National Population and Family Planning Commission (NPFPC) of China from 10-23 September 2007 in Taicang and Jiangsu province of China. Thirty six participants from 18 developing countries of Africa, Asia and Middle-East participated in the workshop.

The opening ceremony of the workshop was graced by Dr. Hao Linna, Director General, International Cooperation Department, NPFPC and Ms. Sheng Lei, Executive Mayor, Taicang Municipal Government along with Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director, PPD and Mr. Jianhua Cai, President, CTC. Mr. Harry Jooseery in his opening speech highlighted the significance of South-South Cooperation and considered the need to build up capacity, reinforce infrastructure and create enabling conditions for the promotion of RH and also to promote the S-S Cooperation.

Participant’s of the workshop

The objectives of the workshop were to provide general understanding on China’s experience and practises in infrastructure design and equipment development for reproductive health service station, strengthening capacity building and promoting cooperation between China and other developing countries in the field of population and development. It was based on thematic sessions, observation tour, case study and commodity exposition.

The workshop covered most important issues in the field of FP/RH such as, MDGs and RH, social and economic development and population programme in China, FP/RH service network, institutional arrangement, infrastructure design of RH service station, friendly environment creation and decoration, operation, maintenance and development of FP/RH service equipment, equipments for clinical treatment, logistic and information management of FP service etc. Participants shared their country experiences on RH services in their country. Ms. Mureal Gracy Quiah, Program Assistant, PPD participated in the workshop as a representative from PPD.

First Annual African PCC Meeting

PPD Africa Office organized the first Annual African PCC Meeting in Kampala, Uganda from 27 to 28 September 2007. The objectives were to:

• review the Strategic Plan 2007 – 2011 for Africa
• share experiences and good practices for South-South collaboration promotion

The Meeting was attended by 10 African PCCs (Benin, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda and Zimbabwe), 4 Representatives of non member states (Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, and Tanzania), 5 representatives of Hewlett Foundations and staff from Population Secretariat.

Participants of the PCC Meeting

The opening ceremony was graced by the Minister of State, Youth and Gender of the Government of the Republic of Uganda. Under the Chairman of the Acting Director of Population Secretariat of Uganda, the Regional Director of PPD Africa Office, the UNFPA Acting Representative in Uganda, the Director of Hewlett Population Program, the representative of Ugandan Members of Parliament and the Executive Director of PPD made speeches at the Opening Ceremony. Mr Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director of PPD reaffirmed the importance of the PCCs in the Alliance for the promotion of South-South Collaboration in order to best serve populations in need in Member States. As the other speakers, he described some of the PCCs’ current efforts to promote South-South activities and urged participants to collectively review and advice on the Strategic Plan for Africa in the context of South-South Collaboration for the attainment of the MDGs and ICPD PoA.

The Program Overview, Human Resources Plan, Strategic Business Plan of PPD and Strategic Plan for Africa were also shared as a way forward for future PPD activities. The PCCs individually presented the SWOT analysis of their respective countries and were very appreciative to the accomplishments and innovative strategies made by PPD. The 4 Non Member States expressed their willingness to join as member of PPD.

In his Closing Speech, Mr Harry Jooseery thanks the participants for the hard and successful works. He also welcomed the 4 potential new member states and invited them to attend the Board Meeting and the International Forum on “Universal Access to Reproductive Health for the Attainment of ICPD Goals and MDGs” scheduled in Rabat, Morocco from 19 – 22 November 2007.

Workshop on Reproductive Health South-South Cooperation in Bangladesh

PPD in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh organized a one day workshop on “Access to Reproductive Health for the Achievement of ICPD and MDGs: The South-South Initiative” on 17 September 2007 at Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Major General Dr. A.S.M. Matiur Rahman (Rtd.), the Honourable Advisor MoHFW, Government of Bangladesh (second from left) graced the workshop as Chief Guest. In the panel (from his left) Mr. Pornchai Suchitta, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh, Mr. A.K.M. Zafar Ullah Khan, Secretary, MoHFW, Government of Bangladesh and Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director, PPD

The workshop was attended by more than 200 high level professionals, Directorates General of Health Services and Family Planning, policy makers and senior programme managers from different Ministries, Institutes of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, representatives of Diplomatic Missions, Donor Agencies, UN Organisations, Universities and NGOs and journalists from both the electronic and print media. Major General Dr. A.S.M. Matiur Rahman (Rtd.), Honourable Advisor, MoHFW, Water Resources and Religious Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest at the Opening Session. Mr. A.K.M. Zafar Ullah Khan, Secretary, MoHFW, Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Pornchai Suchitta, Deputy Representative, UNFPA Bangladesh and Mr. Harry S. Jooseery, Executive Director, PPD also addressed the participants.

The Honourable Advisor underscored the importance of South-South Cooperation in achieving development goals and congratulated PPD for its effort to galvanize national programme for key leaders to make the concept of South-South Cooperation better understood. The ED, PPD stressed on the need to develop innovative and proactive programme to meet the needs of underserved in the developing countries. He emphasized on re-enforcing RH programme to ease access to services especially in marginalized areas. Mr. Pornchai stressed on the support and assistance provided by international community in promoting South-South Cooperation and committed UNFPA’s assistance to PPD.

Papers were presented by Dr. Ahmed A. N. Neaz, Professor, American International University, Bangladesh on “Meeting ICPD Goals and MDGs: Population and Family Planning Agenda for South-South Collaboration”, Prof. Abdul Hannan, Executive Director, Institute of Child and Mother Health, Dhaka on “Promoting Capacity Building and Exchange of Experience among Developing Countries on Reproductive Health, Population and Development” and Dr. A.M. Zakir Hossain, Public Health Specialist, MoHFW, Government of Bangladesh on “Integration of Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS”. The workshop helped to generate interesting exchanges during discussions.