World Population Foundation

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The World Population Foundation (WPF) was founded in 1987 in the Netherlands by a British couple Diana and Roy W Brown. Their purpose was to create an organisation to draw attention to the damaging effects of high birth rates and rapid population growth on maternal and infant mortality, communities and the environment, and to raise funds for population projects and programs, with the ultimate aim of reducing world poverty and improving the quality of life of the world’s poorest people.

From 1987 until 1994 WPF was a small organisation mainly supported by donations from the founders and by consultancy assignments. In 1994, the WPF played an important role in the Dutch delegation of the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo. At this conference, the Cairo Programme of Action was adopted and it has been the foundation for WPF’s work ever since.

With the Cairo Programme of Action as its principle, WPF is dedicated to improving maternal and infant mortality, and to self-determination, sexual health and reproductive rights. The foundation is clear that attention for these themes and to the improvement of services will greatly contribute to the struggle to end world poverty. WPF therefore also fights for the implementation of these themes in the UN Millennium Development Goals.

1 Vision
2 Mission
3 In Developing Countries
4 Advocacy Activities
5 Offices, Staff and Board
6 External links

[edit] Vision

The WPF's vision is that development starts with the self-determination of individuals about their sexuality and the number of children they want to have. WPF works mainly with local organisations in developing countries. WPF also campaigns for supportive laws and international agreements.

[edit] Mission

To work to improve the quality of life in developing countries by promoting:

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR),
Awareness of the importance of SRHR for sustainable human development,
Understanding of the central role of reproductive health in population issues,

through awareness creation, education, resource mobilisation, and the provision of information and services, especially for women and young people.

[edit] In Developing Countries

WPF supports local organisations that provide young and underprivileged people with access to information and services about sexuality and reproduction.

WPF strengthens the capacity of local organisations, assists in developing and implementing activities, and provides management training. WPF’s approach is guided by experience of the Dutch policy on sexual and reproductive health, especially with regard to young people. Worldwide, the Dutch policy on sexual and reproductive health is considered to be exemplary. It is based on rights, responsibilities and respect.

At present, WPF supports various NGOs in ten countries.

One innovative development of WPF is The World starts with me, an online curriculum in IT skills and sexual health and rights education, HIV/Aids prevention, and life skills for young East Africans. The program aims at both school going young people and early school leavers. This program is developed in co-operation with Butterfly Works.

[edit] Advocacy Activities

include direct advocacy with policy makers in the Netherlands, Europe and, at the international level, with the United Nations. Indirect advocacy includes public awareness creation through the Dutch media and with partner organizations in developing countries.

Many activities are undertaken jointly with other organizations and networks. WPF is an active member of Share-Net and EuroNGOs, and is also a member of an international coalition of organizations focused on sexual and reproductive rights. In 2004 WPF was granted 'Special Consultative Status' by the UN Economic and Social Commission (ECOSOC).

WPF established a youth organization: CHOICE for youth and sexuality. This organization is the founder of an international youth organization (Youth Coalition) and YouAct, a European youth network. WPF is also a partner of various women’s networks.

[edit] Offices, Staff and Board

As well as the head office in Hilversum, led by Executive Director Frans Baneke, with a staff of 20, WPF maintains field offices in Pakistan, Vietnam and Indonesia with an additional 29 staff in total.

As of 2005 the World Population Foundation's board members include;