Countdown 2015

30 August to 2 September 2004, London UK

To mark the 10th Anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) a Global Roundtable was held in London, 31 August to 2 September - attended by 500 activists, field specialists, young people, academics, donors, parliamentarians and media.

The roundtable  focused on the challenges and opportunities faced by those advancing the ICPD agenda - such as fundamentalisms, youth, health, rights, and future leadership; resource mobilization and utilisation; and building leadership, partnerships, and alliances. Countdown 2015 comprised a series of activities and events that will be held throughout 2004 and into 2005 - and is a key element of efforts by NGOs and civil society to mark the tenth anniversary of ICPD at the national, regional and international levels.

The hundreds of Roundtable participants worked on reaching a consensus on several critical points that will define our work for the next decade. The outcomes of the roundtable, 2015 Action Agenda - Final Outcomes, were presented to  delegates on the final day of the conference by Dr Steven W. Sinding, Director General of teh International Planned Parenthood Federation. Poul Nielson, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and Hilary Benn, Secretary of State UK, DFID attended the final day of the conference.

The IEPFPD served on the Steering Committee to organize the Roundtable and acted as parliamentary focal point in charge of coordinating the 30 plus parliamentarians who participated and actively contributed to the success of the Roundtable. The IEPFPD delegation was composed of  Ruth Genner, MP IEPFPD President (Switzerland), Carina Hägg, Mp (Sweden), Anne Van Lancker, MEP, Tony Worthington, MP (UK, Chris McCafferty, MP (UK), Viscount Craigavon, (UK), George Tsereteli (Georgia), Malahat Hasanova, MP (Azerbaijan) as well as young Decision-Makers from Portugal, Finland and the Netherlands. Parliamentarians from other regions also actively contributed, namely from AFPPD, IAPG and FAAPPD with the Hon. Yoshio Yatsu, MP (Japan and AFPPD Chair) speaking at the opening ceremony and Hon. Taro Nakayama, MP (Japan) addressing delegates at the Gala dinner event.