The document summarizes a conference on population and development that took place in 1994 in Cairo, Egypt. The conference aimed to set an international consensus on population issues for the next 20 years. Key topics discussed included population growth, women's empowerment, family planning, and the relationship between population and the environment. The outcome was a Programme of Action that focused on voluntarily limiting family sizes through educating women and increasing access to contraception. The conference marked increased participation of NGOs and was significant for women's rights, though some critics argued it did not go far enough to address population and environmental concerns.
2. What did the Conference Set out to
Accomplish?
The conference’s aim was to set up a consensus position on population
and development for the next 20 years at the international level.
Issues Brought to the Meeting:
Environmental and population concerns were discussed as one topic at
the Conference for the first time.
99% of global population growth between now and 2050 will be in
developing countries. 90% of this will be in the least developed.
Population issues addressed at conference included: infant morality,
spread of HIV/AIDS, educating women, family planning, the use of
artificial contraceptives, and unsafe abortions.
3. Political Atmosphere Going into
the Conference
For once, there was no fear that there would be a East-West divide that
would impede progress at the conference since the fall of the Soviets.
However,
This occurrence changes the balance of power on the international
level.
Unsurprisingly, the United States still retains the majority of the power
they wield in the international sphere, but they were not at their
highest potential.
There still is the ever present tension between the Developed and the
Developing countries.
4. Key Players at the Conference:
Women’s Organizations:
United States:
The Holy See:
5. Old View: Theory on Population
Growth and Socioeconomic Status
Before this conference, many nations believed that the only way to control population growth was
for the nation to gain economic development because this was how developed countries reined in
their fertility rates. .
Many poor countries came to accept this theory.
However, in the 1960’s many developing countries experienced and economic boom, yet their
fertility rate still remained the same.
Theorist began rethinking this, and concluded that rapid population growth was only a minor
economic problem.
6. The Programme of Action
The Programme of Action was the new theory concluded at the conference as the
solution to the population dilemma developing countries were facing.
It was believed that through empowering women by educating them and raising
awareness of family planning methods to young couple that could be used, women would
voluntarily opt for fewer children.
7. Relationship Between Population
and Environmental Efforts Now however, with the Programme of Action, environmental efforts and population
control went hand in hand. Countries needed to reduce their use on renewable resources
to make sure they could sustain their future populations.
No longer was it just the short term benefits that were being looked at, the conference
was looking to sustaining the globe for future generations.
The environmental NGO’s soon realized they had an ally with the women’s movement
organization.
8. NGO’s Role in the Conference
For the first time ever, NGO’s had unprecedented power on the international
scale at the Cairo conference than they had ever had before.
NGO’s were given a forum where they could discuss issues that they thought
were crucial and could press for them to be incorporated into the proceedings
of the conference that the delegates of states would discuss.
Women’s Movement Activists
9. United States at Cairo
Global leader in the field since
the beginning of official
international population
assistance.
Was the largest donor.
Provided much of the
intellectual leadership to help
create efforts to limit fertility
Encouraged the World Bank to
take interest in population
growth.
Pushed the World Health
Organization to view rapid
population growth as a
legitimate health problem.
President Bill Clinton’s role:
10. •This was the most heated aspect of the conference.
•The Secretary General Nafis Sadik was at a crossroads.
•She compromised: issue should be treated as a major public health dilemma that
governments were urged to address.
•Outcry from Women’s Organization
•Sadik declared that abortion should be available in cases of rape and incest.
•Holy See becomes outraged. Against the Programme of Action document.
•Treat fear that the Holy See and the United States would not be able to come to a
compromise over the abortion topic.
11. Outcome of The Abortion Conflict:
In the end, the Holy See joined consensus on most of the document.
Why after such strong opposition?
Many scholars believe that the Vatican wanted to repair their bridges to the global community.
John Paul II wished to avoid further decline of the catholic influence around the world.
The Clinton Administration also toned down the abortion talk because they worried how it
would effect his political power and influence in the domestic arena. Did not want to offend
the catholic community with the states.
Questions were raised out of this topic about the role of the Vatican in the United Nation’s
system.
12. What Achievements Has ICPD Made?
One of the most successful development programs mounted by the international
community.
1st United Nations Documents that abortion could be legal and safe.
Very successful moment in women’s history.
NGO’s were given unprecedented participation at the conference.
Focused on individuals rights, rather than focusing on demographics.
13. Critics of the Document
“As Dreadful as is the current inequality in the distribution of resources
between the north and south, rich and poor, it pales in comparison with the
impending inequality between us, living today, and those who will be born
tomorrow, and who under current trends, are destined to inherit a rapidly
deteriorating plantetary life support system” (Harte, 1996).
“The international
community did not rise
to the challenge and
precious time has been
lost. The evidence that
a rapid and forceful
response is needed is
even more compelling
today then it was in
1994” (Potts, 1999).
