The work of global POPIN and Asia-Pacific POPIN generated a lively discussion about the value of electronic dissemination of and access to population data and information during the Commission on Population and Development meeting at New York during February.

The coordination and dissemination of population information were among the topics discussed at the Commission on Population and Development when it met at New York from 23 to 27 February 1998.

The Population Information Network (POPIN) was singled out for particular praise by the Director of the Population Division at United Nations Headquarters, Mr Joseph Chamie, when he introduced the agenda item on the Division's work programme.

Calling the Network one of the most interesting and exciting areas of his Division's work, he said: "Personally, I find it incredibly fascinating". In terms of the electronic dimensions of the Network, he added that, "not only is the technology absolutely addictive, but its impact (is) beyond belief. All the documents for this Commission, for example, are available on the Division's POPIN Web site for the entire world to share. The challenge of course is making it available worldwide, in cities, towns and villages around the world".

Also during the meeting, Mr Nibhon Debevalya, Director of the ESCAP Population Division, said that his secretariat continued to support population information centres in many countries in the region. "The aim of its work in this area is to enable these developing countries eventually to become self-reliant in their information gathering, analysing, processing and disseminating capabilities".

Also, he stressed that during 1998 ESCAP will continue to implement a number of projects including ones on building knowledge bases and advocating change through the dissemination of population data and information; use of information technology to improve the quality of population information services and products as well as continuing activities of Asia-Pacific POPIN, the regional arm of the global POPIN system.

The representative of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said that it had started a population information system, the scope of which was now being enlarged.

The importance of such activities was also stressed in other statements of Mr Chamie. He stated that the Division's research and publications were often the underlying foundation for the reports, statements, meetings, conferences and databases prepared by others working in the United Nations system, in the private sector and in numerous NGOs.

The Division had contributed to, and collaborated with, others within the United Nations system, including ESCAP.

The coordination and dissemination of population information are among the six categories of the Population Division's work, he noted. The other five categories are population studies and analyses; preparation of world estimates and projections; the monitoring, reviewing and appraising of world population trends and policies; organization of international conferences and expert meetings and their follow-up activities; and provision of policy advisory services.

The impact of population information dissemination was reflected in the statement of Mr Siswanto Agus Wilopo, representative of Indonesia.

In line with the recommendations of the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the population policies of Indonesia had shifted, he said, to that of a "people and family centred" approach.

Such an approach emphasized the importance of human and family development, changing attitudes towards reproduction and client-centred provision of high-quality information and services. Indonesia's approach was rooted in the principle of achieving a small, prosperous and happy family, which would ultimately help to alleviate poverty.

He also said that the Government had developed a National Safe Motherhood Movement, focusing on such actions as: increasing awareness of Safe Motherhood goals; improving the availability and use of information about maternal mortality and morbidity; and developing strategies and specific plans for Safe Motherhood in each province.

Poverty alleviation programmes, including the provision of a small credit, could be expected to contribute to a further decline in both infant and maternal morbidity rates in the immediate future. To experience lasting and significant change, however, fundamental changes in behaviour would be required.

Similarly, Mr Nam-Hoon Cho, Vice-President of the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs of the Republic of Korea, stressed the importance of information on mortality. More attention should be given to improving methodology for data gathering and analysis on mortality, he said.

In a draft resolution, the Commission requested the Population Division and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to explore ways and means — such as the establishment of an internationally accessible electronic database — to facilitate the exchange of information among all relevant actors concerning best practices and lessons learned in implementing the Programme of Action of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

In addition, relevant bodies of the United Nations system were called upon to coordinate with each other and with other international and non-governmental organizations, and in cooperation with governments, in strengthening national capacities to collect, analyse and utilize health and mortality data at both national and local levels, in the priority areas of the ICPD Programme of Action.