[afro-nets] UNFPA The State of World Population 2008

Cross posted from: EQUIDAD@listserv.paho.org

STATE OF WORLD POPULATION 2008

*United Nations Population Fund, November 12, 2008*

Website: http://www.unfpa.org/swp/

"…..As a fundamental part of people's lives, culture must be integrated into development policy and programming. *The State of World Population 2008 report* from UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, shows how this process works in practice.

This year is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The report's starting point is that human rights reflect universal values. It calls for culturally sensitive approaches to development because they are essential for human rights in general, and women's rights in particular.

Culturally sensitive approaches call for cultural fluency – familiarity with how cultures work, and how to work with them. The report suggests that partnerships – for example between UNFPA and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) – can create effective strategies to promote human rights, such as women's empowerment and gender equality, and end human rights abuses like female genital mutilation or cutting.

Culture influences how people manage their lives, the report says. Cultures affect how people think and act; but, they do not make everyone think and act alike. Cultures influence and are influenced by external circumstances, and they change in response. People are continually reshaping them, although some aspects of culture continue to influence choices and lifestyles for a long time…"

*THE REPORTS*

State of World Population 2008 — Web |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/index.html&gt;|
Français <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/fr/index.html&gt; |
Español<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/sp/index.html&gt;|

State of World Population 2008 — PDF |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/en-swop08-report.pdf&gt;|
Français <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/fr-swop08-report.pdf&gt;|
Español <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/sp-swop08-report.pdf&gt; |
Russian <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/ru-swop08-report.pdf&gt; |

Youth Supplement — Web |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/youth_preface_introduction.html&gt;|
Français <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/fr/youth_preface_introduction.html&gt;|
Español <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/sp/youth_preface_introduction.html&gt; |

Youth Supplement — PDF |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/en-yswop08.pdf&gt;|
Français <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/fr_yswop08.pdf&gt; |
Español <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/sp_yswop08.pdf&gt; |
Russian <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/ru-yswop08.pdf&gt; |

Selected Indicators – Monitoring ICPD Goals |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/en_indicators-icpd-sowp08.pdf&gt;|
Français<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/fr_indicators-icpd-sowp08.pdf&gt;|
Español<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/sp_indicators-icpd-sowp08.pdf&gt;|

Demographic, Social and Economic Indicators |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/en_indicators-sowp08.pdf&gt;|
Français<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/fr_indicators-sowp08.pdf&gt;|
Español<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/sp_indicators-sowp08.pdf&gt;|

Selected Indicators for Less Populous Countries/Territories |
English<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/en_indicators-lesspop-sowp08.pdf&gt;|
Français<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/presskit/docs/fr_indicators-lesspop-sowp08.pdf&gt;

* *

*Content:*

*Overview <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/00_overview.html&gt;\*

Culture is and always has been central to development. As a natural and fundamental dimension of people's lives, culture must be integrated into development policy and programming. This report shows how this process works in practice.

*Read chapter online
<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/00_overview.html&gt;Download
chapter pdf<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/includes/images/pdf_swp/00_overview.pdf&gt;

• CHAPTER 1

*An Introduction <http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/01_introduction.html&gt;\*

The implementation of the recommendations contained in the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development is the sovereign right of each country, consistent with national laws and development priorities, with full respect for the various religious and ethical values and cultural backgrounds of its people, and in conformity with universally recognized international human rights. *— International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action, Principles*.

*Read chapter online
<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/01_introduction.html&gt;Download
chapter pdf<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/includes/images/pdf_swp/01_introduction.pdf&gt;

• CHAPTER 2

*Building Support for Human
Rights<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/02_building_support.html&gt;

Legitimating human rights in local cultures and religious traditions is a matter of vital importance for the survival and future development of the human rights paradigm itself.

*Read chapter online<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/02_building_support.html&gt;Download chapter pdf<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/includes/images/pdf_swp/02_building_support.pdf&gt;

• CHAPTER 3

*Promoting Gender Equality and Empowering
Women<http://www.unfpa.org/swp/2008/en/03_promoting_gender_equality.html&gt;