On 24th March, the JOICFP Board of Directors, and Counselors met, and discussed and unanimously approved the work plan and budget for fiscal year 2005, which runs from 1st April 2005 to 31st March 2006.

2005 is the year of Beijing + 10, as well as the first review of the UN MDGs, both of which are fundamental in JOICFP's advocacy activities. In brief, the board approved country and regional and projects, such as those concerning adolescent reproductive health (ARH) and behavior change communication (BCC) toward male involvement; domestic recycling campaigns such as bicycles through MCCOBA, and the randoseru campaign; and human resource development activities, for example, NGO capacity building, including ARH and BCC, etc.

Official development assistance (ODA) has been reduced year-by-year by the Japanese government since 1997, and part of JOICFP's role is to advocate for an increase in the total amount of ODA, and keep Japan as a leading country on the international stage.

Accordingly, the board also approved greater efforts toward increasing funds for UNFPA and IPPF, which will include even more advocacy to members of parliament, stakeholders such as the government, and the mass media.

A view of the Board Meeting

Three task forces for 2005

In addition, the board approved the setting up of three task forces to deal with the emerging issues of:

The RH of Asian tsunami victims in Indonesia and Sri Lanka and other countries through counterpart family planning associations;

Women and HIV/AIDS to promote the view that it must be considered as a gender and RH problem, not just as an infectious disease;

Expo 2005 Aichi Japan, where JOICFP will participate under the theme of 'Saving Mother's Lives.'

A new theory and strategies for the 21st century

In an opening speech, Dr. Toshio Kuroda, President, JOICFP, emphasized the need for a new population theory and strategies for the 21st century for the sake of the continued existence of humankind. He said that the rapid increase of world population was not over since there were now 6.5 billion people. Although the growth rate was declining, he said, absolute numbers would continue to rise.

Dr. Kuroda stated that old theories belonged to previous centuries, and population issues must consider the way the world is now. Furthermore, in addition to the macro approach, the micro approach of individual rights must be remembered.