Invitation to seminar “The Shape of Things to Come”
4 December 2007 WPF - in cooperation with Population Action International (PAI) - organised a seminar on why age structure matters to a safer, more equitable world. The location was the Peace Palace in The Hague (14.00-17.00hrs). During the seminar the publication The Shape of Things to Come was presented by editor Elisabeth Leahy. Key note speakers were amongst others Joris Voorhoeve - Chair of WPF - and US Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (Ret.).
- Read part of Tyler LePard's Blog on this event (PAI's media manager). The complete blog is published on PAI's website.
Effect on stability and economy
The Shape of Things to Come is a recently published report by PAI. It showes that population age structure can have an important effect on the political stability and economic growth of a country. For instance 80% of civil conflicts take place in countries of a very young population structure.
Population growth
The world population is expected to grow from 6,5 billion people in 2006 to over 9 billion in 2050. The largest population growth takes place in developing countries. For example, the population in a country like Nigeria will grow from 132 million in 2005 to 258 million people in 2050.
Such a growth makes it especially difficult to reduce poverty and to increase political stability. The key issue during the seminar will be how an effective and ethical population policy can contribute to bring more security and prosperity in the world.
Affect population development
The report shows how governments can affect population development. International support for family planning has declined in the last few years. The editors of the report plead for an increase in support and integration of reproductive health programmes in the broader development policies. Improvement in the status of women, sexuality education and better access to contraception are key to a solution.
Speakers
At the seminar the report The Shape of Things to Come was presented by editor Elisabeth Leahy. Furthermore key note speakers were Joris Voorhoeve (former Dutch Defence Minister and Chair of WPF) and US Lt. General Claudia Kennedy (ret.). Ms. Kennedy was the first and only female General - so far - in the US Army. Frank Kalshoven (economist, director of the ‘Argumentenfabriek’ and columnist of newspaper Volkskrant and Vrij Nederland magazine) chaired the seminar.
World Population Foundation (WPF) in cooperation with Population Action International organised the seminar.
