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Breaking News from America's Progressive Community... 1999
Releases
The press releases posted here have been provided to NewsCenter by the one of the many progressive organizations we have selected to participate. If you would like more information about this press release, you should contact the organization directly. |
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| FEBRUARY
5, 1999 12:01 PM FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Planned Parenthood |
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| Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt Appointed to U.S. Delegation to the Hague International Forum, Feb. 8-11; Feldt to Stress Urgency of Congress Fulfilling U.S. Commitment to Reproductive Health and Rights for a Sustainable Global Future | ||||
| NEW
YORK CITY - February 5 -
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Gloria Feldt has been
appointed to the official U.S. Delegation to the Hague International Forum
February 8-12 in the Netherlands. Feldt is one of four NGO representatives
appointed to the 12-member delegation and the only delegate whose organization
provides family planning services in the U.S. The U.S. delegation will meet with
representatives from 180 nations to review global progress made since the 1994
International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo, Egypt.
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is the honorary head of the delegation and
will address the Opening Session Feb. 8. At the 1994 ICPD, the U.S. was among the 179 nations that adopted the ICPD Program of Action, a 20-year plan to promote sustainable, human-centered development and a stable population—including a call for universal access to reproductive health information and services. As a member of the delegation, Feldt will participate in meetings to assess progress since the 1994 meeting, share best practices and produce practical recommendations on meeting the goals established in Cairo five years ago. "Because of attacks on family planning by religious political extremists in the U.S. Congress, countless women worldwide lack, and millions more may lose, their lifesaving ability to plan and space their children," Feldt said. "It's time Congress lived up to the commitments the U.S. made in Cairo—to ensure access to preventive measures that reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and save women's lives. As the leading provider of reproductive health care in the U.S. and a member of the international sustainable development community, Planned Parenthood is committed to seeing that access to family planning and reproductive health care is a reality for women around the world." The Hague Forum will be preceded by both an NGO Forum and a Youth Forum (Feb. 6 and 7). As the largest single generation of young people in history, today's youth are major proponents and will be the primary benefactors of a worldwide commitment to the ICPD Program of Action. The Youth Forum will bring young people from around the world to the table to discuss developments since Cairo and to propose future actions related to the health, empowerment and individual development of young people. Planned Parenthood has always recognized the importance of serving young people and giving them the tools to make responsible choices about their reproductive and sexual lives. "Young people have the most to gain and contribute to the goals set in Cairo," Feldt said. "What they do today, from recycling a soda can to practicing safer sex, directly affects their lives and the future of the planet." As president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Feldt oversees the world's oldest and largest voluntary reproductive health care organization, comprised of 133 affiliates that operate 900 health centers nationwide, serving nearly five million Americans annually. PPFA's international service division, Family Planning International Assistance, provides supplies and technical assistance to family planning projects in the developing world. Global Partnerships, PPFA's new advocacy initiative, links Planned Parenthood affiliates with family planning and advocacy groups around the globe. ### |
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