NZPPD at PPAPD-FPOC Conference
From the 16th to the 20th November, Katrina Shanks attended a joint PPAPD-FPOC conference in Rarotonga. The meeting themes were on climate change, gender and legislation. PPAPD-FPOC is a combination of two different groups supporting parliamentarians: parliamentarians who support population and development issues; and Speakers and Clerks. Following the meeting, New Zealand and Australia now have a shared seat on the PPAPD-FPOC Executive Committee, enabling NZPPD to contribute much more to the development of the group. Secretariat support at the meeting was provided by Jackie Edmond of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Member Part of International Delegation of Parliamentarians in Hanoi
As a member of NZPPD, Lynne Pillay was part of an international delegation of eight parliamentarians that attended the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) Partners’ Forum in Hanoi, Viet Nam, from the 16th to the 20th November. GAVI invited parliamentarians from the European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) to learn more about the GAVI Alliance’s work to increase access to immunisation in poor countries. Included in the programme was a mini field visit to a commune health centre and discussions on the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Presentation at 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference
Nicky Wagner represented NZPPD at the 7th Asia-Pacific Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference on Parliamentarians’ Action for Gender Issues on 14th and 15th November in Kuala Lumpur, and presented on NZPPD’s successful Open Hearing process. The focus of this year’s conference was on how parliamentarians’ can take action to address gender issues, and the sessions addressed issues such as women and climate change, gender budgeting, and taking forward the Beijing agenda. Secretariat support was provided by Angela Nielsen of Family Planning International.
NZPPD Chair presented at High Level Meeting in Ethiopia
The Fourth International Parliamentarians' Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IPCI/ICPD IV) took place from 27th to 28th October in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following the High Level Meeting on Maternal Health held on the 26th October. Dr Jackie Blue, NZPPD Chair, and Hon Steve Chadwick, NZPPD Vice Chair attended both, meeting with parliamentarians from across the world to discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr Jackie Blue presented at the High Level Meeting on the situation in the Pacific, presenting about the NZPPD Open Hearing.The delegation highlighted that New Zealand co-sponsored the Human Rights Council resolution on Maternal Health and also ensured that civil society was mentioned as a key stakeholder in the Statement of Commitment. Secretariat support was provided by Liz Paton of Family Planning.
NZPPD Chair presents at 'Population, Peak Oil, and Climate Change' Conference, Australia, 14 - 15 March 2008
Jill Pettis (MP and NZPPD Chair), was invited to present at the Sustainable Population Australia conference ' Population, Peak Oil and Climate Change, Their Impact on the Millennium Development Goals', on 14 - 15 August 2008.
5th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference, 27 – 28 November 2007
Jill Pettis (MP and NZPPD Chair), Sue Kedgley (MP and NZPPD Member), and Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), comprised the New Zealand delegation to the 5th Asian Women Parliamentarians’ and Ministers’ Conference on 27 – 28 November in Beijing, China.
The theme of the conference was ‘Educational Empowerment for Women and Girls – Critical to Social and Economic Development’.
Jill Pettis spoke on behalf of Hon Steve Chadwick in her role as Chair of the Standing Committee on Women of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development.
The participants recognised that education for women and girls is vital to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action. Participants agreed to prioritise related action in their home countries.
NZPPD delegation visits Australia, 14 – 15 August 2007
From 14 – 15 August 2007, a NZPPD delegation travelled to Australia to meet with parliamentary colleagues. The delegation comprised Hon Steve Chadwick (then NZPPD Chair), Moana Mackey (MP and NZPPD member), Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), and Samantha Hung (NZAID Gender Advisor).
The NZPPD developed plans for cooperation with their Australian equivalent: the Parliamentary Group on Population and Development (PGPD).
The delegation also met with representatives from the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Ageing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and AusAID.
NZPPD member visits Papua New Guinea, 25 June 2007
Tim Barnett (MP NZPPD member) visited Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on 25 June 2007. The aim of the visit was to meet with relevant agencies, government representatives and local partners to get an update on developments since he visited the country on an NZPPD Study Tour in April 2006.
Tim Barnett's programme included meetings with Sir Peter Barter: Minister for Health and Bougainville Affairs, Dame Carol Kidu MP, and a roundtable meeting with UN agencies.
New Zealand delegation attends Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development, Samoa, 21 – 24 May 2007
Hon Steve Chadwick (former NZPPD Chair), Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban (MP and NZPPD member), and Naomi Williams (NZPPD Secretariat), attended the 2nd General Assembly and Conference of the Pacific Parliamentary Assembly on Population and Development (PPAPD) on 21 – 24 May 2007 in Samoa.
The theme of the conference was "Safeguarding Pacific Youth: Accelerating Actions through Partnership with Pacific Parliamentarians".
Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban provided the keynote address and Hon Steve Chadwick presented the recent NZPPD report, "Youth Sexual Health, Our Health, Our Issue". This was welcomed as an example of how parliamentarians can actively engage on population and development issues.
Steve then presented for a second time in her capacity as Chairperson of the AFPPD Standing Committee on Women, and called for Pacific women parliamentarians to be supported in their work and have the opportunity to participate in such forums.