World Population Day Focus Is On Family Planning

NEW YORK, July 8 – This year World Population Day, observed on July 11, focuses on family planning as key to the well-being of future generations and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to United Nations leaders. Observations of the event that began in 1987, when Earth had 5 billion people, will involve seminars, celebrity appearances, concerts, dramatic presentations and many other events highlighting the essential role of family planning in reducing poverty, promoting development and saving the lives of mothers and newborns. "Forty years ago, world leaders proclaimed that individuals have a basic right to determine freely and responsibly the number and timing of their children," noted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon in a statement. "Millennium Development Goal 5, improving maternal health,... [read full story]