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ANNIVERSARIES

Celebration of Davs : A New Paradigm

by Dr M Zakir Husain
***The best celebration of any worthwhile and nationally important 'day' is large scale mobilisation of political will and national resources principally led by the government and largely supported by the people's organisations to realise what underlies the 'day'.***
WE witness celebration of many days' commemorating this or that event or pledging one slogan or the other. Any given year is full of such days and the number is increasing every year or so it seems for new days are added without any 'day' being d"S'Ly 10. the country celebrated the World Population Day. The theme of this year's day was specially important in the context of Bangladesh. Not only because Bangladesh faces a demographic dilemma with far-reaching consequence, the demographic potential of its age structure is such that the population issue demands sustained and coordinated policy and action on many fronts concurrently. The population growth rate even though it has been declining over the past decade is still at a level that leaves little room for complacency. The proportion of population in the 15 to 25 years age group is high enough to sustain the momentum of growth for many years to come.
Specifically, in a future perspective the quality of the population as human resources should become as important a concern as the size and stability. Informed and enlightened choice of reproductive performance and allied health conditions are absolute essentials of today's population objectives. This choice must be parallel to universal access and means to obtain information and services free of any constraint — be it cultural, social, parental or economic. The quality of human resources is primarily a function of the health, education and employment of the people. It is also the function of cultural, social, and economic advancement of the people.
Considering the long lead time in the development of human resources, it is imperative that policy and actions on health, education and employment of present and future population are started now in a concerted and convergent manner — a departure from hitherto fragmented and excessively uni-focal concentration on limitation of family size without visible and convincing attention to improve the quality of life and conditions of living of
those whose reproductive potential will remain a significant determinant. We nave lessons to learn from the present world situation where countries with high population growth without adequate social and economic development are unstable, troubled with political and civil unrest and disorder further arresting or eroding their social and economic resources. This need not be an inevitable consequence.
It is for this reason that a new paradigm of celebration of days' comes to mind. It is a common sight how ceremoniously days' are celebrated yet it is also common experience how quickly celebrations fade into oblivion with no follow up for the rest of the year to give real meaning to the lofty intentions expressed. More than mere celebration, what is needed is determined and disciplined action. The best celebration of any worthwhile and nationally important 'day' Is large scale mobilisation of political will and national resources principally led by the government and largely supported by the people s organisations to realise what underlies the 'day'.
In the case of World Population Day. one would expect a welcome departure from the culture of colourful and wasteful cererponies which should be abandoned. Rather, on these occasions realistic pledges should be made and publicised to inform and educate the public on how population Issues affect them, how they can individually and collectively be a part of the solution. The youth of today shall better shape their own lives and destiny by Informed and educated choices and behaviour. It is the youth of today who in turn will determine the quality and security of their children in the coming decades by adopting informed, respon-
sible and competent parenthood. It is one of the most important tasks of today’s adult and elderly policy makers, economists, eaucators, health professionals, and civic and public representatives to shape the present through policies and actions to lay the foundation for • secure future through enhancement of education, empowerment, and employment, and through assurance of reward for work, discipline, social ethics, and loyalty individually to family ana collec-_tively to the community.
Contrary to the doomsday scenario predicted by some, the writer is convinced that the youth of today in Bangladesh as elsewhere are capable of rational choice by intelligent use of information and education far more readily and effectively than those of a generation before. There is every reason and considerable evidence to suggest that given the freedom dfin-formation and education, an even and fair chance of advancement, a helping hand in work and skill generation and stability with equal opportunity. the youth of Bangladesh will grasp and prove no less or no different from those in East Asia in the past 50 years of progress and development. A nation with human development index rank as Bangladesh has absolutely no time to lose or no resources to squander on empty celebrations let alone with any fanfare or pomp. It is not befitting either to the time or the situation.
Population issues are often viewed in too narrow or too parochial a perspective. In fact, broadly stated population issues are at the core of a nation's present and more significantly its future survival as a stable, prosperous, and progressive nation that can project Its
Ideas, systems, and culture In the international community as its right and not as a political or demographic concession.
This year's Population Day can. and should, be an occasion to establish a new paradigm for celebrating not merely the 'day’, but also by demonstrating the national will and actions on a subject of such great national importance for weeks and years in Bangladesh. Specifically, the Kauth and adolescents of angladesh should enjoy the freedom of Information and education on reproductive and personal health to live meaningful and rewarding lives, to show responsible and safe sexual and parental behaviour, and secure for the future generations a healthier, safer and happier lifestyle.
It is heartening to not that in her message to his year’s Population Day.’ the Prime Minister of Bangladesh directed that the health education for the youth of Bangladesh be made stronger and help make them aware of their health needs. While this by itself should give greater impetus to the department responsible for health education, it will be essential that all other departments and sectors, especially relating to youth and women's affairs, are involved and give solid and practical help to health education efforts through their normal activities whenever and wherever there is an opening and opportunity. The government alone cannot do this alone. It is a matter of national priority with far reaching impact on the quality of life of fiiture generations. All non-govemmental and voluntary organisations have a duty and responsibility to help and contribute in this great national endeavour.
The international organisations. particularly the UN agencies like UNFPA and WHO are committed to the Goals and Plan of Action adopted by the international community in Cairo Conference on Population and Development in 1994. Dr. Nafis Sadik, the Executive Director of UNFPA, quite clearly drew attention to the promise that the present policy makers in government and the international community have pledged and must keep by implementing the Plan of Action.