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- Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development (external)
  
  8th International Dialogue (2010)
  
  Healthcare partnerships in developing countries conference (2009)
  
  7th International Dialogue (2008)
  
  6th International Dialogue (2007)
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9th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development

“Education Matters: Empowering Young People to Make Healthier Choices”

At the time when the 7 billionth human war born, the 9th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development took place in Berlin. Politicians, representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientists and young people discussed under the slogan “Education Matters: Empowering Young People to Make Healthier Choices”. Klaus Brill, Vice President of Corporate Commercial Relations at BHC PH, said: “I am delighted about the way these Dialogues have progressed since they were originally co-initiated by our company in 2002, and about the many new ideas shared by the many participants of this year’s discussions.”

Klaus Brill (7th from left), Vice President of Corporate Commercial Relations, BHC Pharmaceuticals, expressed his hope that young people – as the prioritized target group of the Dialogue – might take the lead in organizing one of the future Dialogues.

As the global market leader in the field of contraceptives, Bayer is committed to the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of reproductive health. Since nine years, the International Dialogue is an annual conference organized by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals in close cooperation with the German Foundation for World Population (Deutsche Stiftung Weltbevölkerung), the International Planned Parenthood Federation and other partners. These conferences underline the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights and population dynamics as key factors in achieving such international development objectives as the Millennium Development Goals.

This year, the participants addressed issues such as youth-to-youth education, standards and measurement of sexual education, rights-based approaches and religion. They also focused on selected countries: Malawi, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan. Empowering girls in particular was an ongoing topic in many discussions. The event also included an exchange of views on progress toward achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals.

A world of seven billion: balance, rights, equity

‘Access’ was an important topic in a panel discussion at the end of the conference – access not only to information and education, but also to services and contraceptives. Referring to the Bible quote “Be fruitful and multiply,” Margot Kaessmann, former Chair of the Council of the Protestant Church in Germany, said that while this might have been a reasonable thing to say in the historical context of the Bible, in modern times the Pill could be seen as a blessing – for some a provocative statement.

Panelist Tewodros Melesse, Director-General of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), urged the participants not to forget women’s rights. He pointed out the need not only for education but also for participation. He also advised the audience to consider culture and religion in educational initiatives.

Recommendations will be formulated and passed on to international development policymakers based on the results of the conference in order to catalyze wider political dialog and action, strengthen sexual and reproductive health rights and evolve effective strategies on population development.