Int’l e-conference on emerging population issues begins in city

The two-day long international e-conference on ‘Emerging Population Issues’ has begun on Tuesday in the city under the joint auspices of Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka (DPSDU), and UNFPA Bangladesh.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka (DU) Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman inaugurated the e-conference where Planning Minister M. A. Mannan joined the webinar as the chief guest and Dr. Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Country Representative, Bangladesh joined the opening session as special guest, said a press release.

Some 300 participants including designated session chairs, paper presenters, invited guests, researchers, faculties, students and representatives from different bodies have participated on the first day of this e-conference. 

MA Mannan, MP, in his speech highlighted about the impact of currently ongoing coronavirus pandemic on the important population indicators of Bangladesh. In this regard he emphasized on the necessity of focusing on the opportunities the country is having because of its particular age structure and also mentioned the necessity of multidimensional investments through GO-NGO collaboration to grasp first, second and third demographic dividend. 

In his speech, different pertinent population issues like migration, population ageing, sexual and reproductive health related rights, climate change, displaced population etc. have also been addressed with focusing on the government’s commitment regarding the development of population indicators. 

Professor Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman in his inauguration speech similarly focused on the socio-economic impacts and probable after effects of ongoing coronavirus pandemic on different emerging population issues of Bangladesh. 

He stated his belief in this regard that with prompt, supportive, and empathic collaboration between the government, development partners, citizens, and health experts, with the presence of international assistance, Bangladesh will be able to achieve the Vision 2041, ICPD Program of Action and the Global Agenda 2030 including the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs). 

Dr. Asa Torkelsson, UNFPA Country Representative, Bangladesh, in her speech emphasized on the necessity of social interventions especially on health and education for youth cohort to develop the social landscape of Bangladesh and to lower the dependency scenario. 

Achieving triple zero should also be in prime focus according to her – zero maternal death, zero unmet need for family planning and zero incidence of gender-based violence. Even amidst this coronavirus situation – these population concerns should be considered with equal importance, Dr. Asa Torkelsson added. 

Professor Dr. Mohammad Mainul Islam, Chair of the inauguration session of the e-conference as well as the Chairman of Department of Population Sciences, University of Dhaka concluded the inauguration session by asserting the potential and commitment of this e-conference to address the socio-economic, demographic and policy related implications of emerging population issues which are currently being impacted by the ongoing pandemic in both national and global contexts. 

On the first day, three technical sessions - (1) Human Capital Development, and Demographic Dividend, (2) Migration and Development, and (3) Active ageing and wellbeing - took place.

A total of seven papers were presented on the first day by the presenters from Bangladesh, India, China, and Australia and other countries. A spontaneous and interactive question-answer session was also followed each of the sessions. 

The two-day conference will be concluded on Wednesday with two more technical sessions.