The World Population Plan of Action: Where Now?

Abstract

This comprehensive article summarizes the 4 major sections 15 subse ctions and 109 paragraphs suggesting specific actions included in the World Population Plan of Action (WPPA) adopted by the World Population Conference as its policy instrument. It also traces the evolution of several sections from the draft through the final stage. The 1st 2 sections of WPPA contain background material on underlying demographic conditions and basic principles. The basic principles include respect for national sovereignty respect for human life concern for natural resources environmental quality and food supply and just distribution of resources. The 4th section assigns some general responsibilities of an organizational or procedural but essentially nonsubstantive character to national governments and international cooperation. The heart of WPPA is Section C which spells out policies on population growth morbidity and mortality family rights status of women internal and international migration socioeconomic policies data collection research management training education information and development of population policies. Most of the responsibilities are to individual nations with international cooperation seen as most important in information exchange data collection and provision of specialists for training. Of the 50 recommendations for action about 1/3 are urged and about 1/5 are suggested or invited to consider. The recommendations urged or given priority cover a wide range: greater international equity reduction of mortality and morbidity development programs reforms in internal and external migration balance in age structures rational use of resources and improved food production improved data and research and training efforts. Comparison paragraphs a chart showing designated actors for specific recommendations and a brief summary of the recommendations are included.