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International Projects

Family Planning NSW manages the Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia (SH&FPA) International Projects, which focus on improving the reproductive and sexual health of communities in the Asia Pacific region. Funding for these projects is received from AusAID, the Asia Pacific Alliance and private donors.

SH&FPAs International Program promotes at national and international levels the objectives of family planning organisations to enable people to achieve reproductive and sexual health and well-being in the context of a sustainable environment.

We ascribe to and endorse the International Planned Parenthood Federation Charter on Sexual and Reproductive Rights. This rights-based approach is consistent with the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action, developed in Cairo in 1994. At the heart of the Program of Action is the recognition that population policies that promote personal choice and human rights, and which are integrated with broader development goals such as poverty alleviation and gender equity, are effective both in improving quality of life and stabilising population levels.

For the latest news about our international projects, read our newsletter, Working in the Region.

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

All of the international projects are closely aligned to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were developed in 2000 and adopted by 189 nations including Australia, to represent an agreed agenda to reduce poverty and advance human development in a range of critical issues.

 The MDGs, to be achieved by 2015 and specified targets of MDGs:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

1.1 Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day

1.2 Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people

1.3 Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger

     2.     Achieve universal primary education

2.1 Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of primary schooling

     3.     Promote gender equity and empower women

3.1 Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015

     4.     Reduce child mortality

4.1 Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate

     5.     Improve maternal health

5.1 Reduce by three quarters the maternal mortality ratio

5.2 Achieve universal access to reproductive health

     6.     Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

6.1 Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS

6.2 Achieve, by 2010, universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS for all those who need it

6.3 Have halted by 2015 and begun to reverse the incidence of malaria and other major diseases

               7.     Ensure environmental sustainability

7.1 Integrate the principles of sustainable development into country policies and programmes and reverse the loss of environmental resources

7.2 Reduce biodiversity loss, achieving, by 2010, a significant reduction in the rate of loss

7.3 Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation

7.4 By 2020, to have achieved a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers

     8.     Develop a global partnership for development.  

8.1 Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system

8.2 Address the special needs of least developed countries

8.3 Address the special needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing States

8.4 Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries

8.5 In cooperation with pharmaceutical companies, provide access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries

8.6 In cooperation with the private sector, make available benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications

(http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/global.shtml)

In particular, FPNSW aims to promote the attainment of MDGs 3-7. Within the range of international projects that FPNSW are engaged in, female empowerment and gender equity are promoted by disseminating reproductive and sexual health information to groups involved, through culturally appropriate means. In addition, FPNSW also seeks to ameliorate pressing issues of child mortality and maternal health through building the capacity of health promotion resources and providing sexual reproductive health training, such as the project undertaken in Timor-Leste in 2008/9.

In combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, FPNSW worked in partnership with Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji to increase knowledge and skills and promote behavioural change in rural regions of Fiji, by conducting community based workshops.

In line with the ICPD Program of Action of “achieving balance between population and available resources and sustainable patterns of consumption and production” (para 3.16), FPNSW aims to contribute to the Millennium Development Goal of ensuring environmental sustainability by empowering populations with the requisite skills and knowledge of family planning.

International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD)

The key objectives of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) underpin all of the international projects undertaken by FPNSW. The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) was held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994 when delegations from 179 States approved a 20-year Program of Action.

“The objective is to raise the quality of life for all people through appropriate population and development policies and programs aimed at achieving poverty eradication, sustained economic growth in the context of sustainable development … the guarantee of all human rights … and achieving balance between population and available resources and sustainable patterns of consumption and production.” ICPD Program of Action, para 3.16

In line with the ICPD goals of promoting sustainability and striking a balance between population numbers and existing resources, FPNSW’s international projects aim to achieve greater economic and environmental sustainability by imparting knowledge and skills pertinent to family planning to target populations.

Current International Projects

Papua New Guinea - Men and Boys Sexual Health and Behavioural Change Program

The Men and Boys Behaviour Change Program is run by project partners Help Resources and aims to improve knowledge of sexual health and promote health supporting behaviours and attitudes in men.

During 2008/09, the program was focused on peer educators conducting 4 workshops in Maprik, Kanauki, Ambunti and Upper Sepik, with male dominated work locations (mining, forestry) identified for one workshop per location. Additionally peer educators completed two training sessions in Wewak to increase the facilitator's skills to deliver education on specialised areas.

The peer education approach engaging men from communities to facilitate activities builds upon existing strengths with communities and engages leaders and change agents. Peer educators are paid a small reimbursement fee for communications and transport costs. This needs further investigation for sustainability purposes.

A formal evaluation of the Men and Boys Behaviour Change program was performed in 2008/09 to determine the effectiveness and appropriateness of the program model. The evaluation showed that the program is very well received as it comes from within the community, with training conducted by local men for the local community. The report also provided recommendations to ensure the ongoing support required to ensure the sustainability of the program. 

Country	Papua New Guinea
Projects	Supporting community based sexual health education in East Sepik Province
Where	Wewak, Angoram and Wasera Gawi Districts, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Partners
Funding	AusAID ANCP Project

Solomon Islands - Strengthening Youth Participation and enhancing empowerment in Sexual and Reproductive Health

Working with the Solomon Islands Planned Parenthood Association (SIPPA), the project aims to increase sexual and reproductive health information to young people.

The project uses weekly youth radio broadcasts to promote youth services and activities relating to reproductive and sexual health and provides targeted seminars to marginalised young people in different locations including schools and church groups. During 2008/09, the program delivered workshops in Honiara, refresher / up-skilling training for community based youth educators in provinces, the Stepping Stones program as a pilot initiative and workshops for Youth Leaders and support their delivery of training to young people.

Solomon Islands - Population Environment Community Education
Working with Live and Learn Environmental Education the project aims to provide opportunity for understanding the social and environmental impacts of increasing population growth and provide communities with appropriate sustainable livelihood skills.

During 2008/09, eight community outreach training workshops were conducted on population and environment for sustainable livelihood conducted in community learning centres and rural training centres with schools and teachers. The training is followed up by monitoring visits to the centres to support the community to increase their knowledge and skills for sustainable livelihood. 

Country	Soloman Islands
Projects	Strengthening Youth Participation and enhancing empowerment in Sexual and Reproductive Health
Partners	Soloman Island Planned Parenthood Association
Who	1,771 young people at rallies and music festivals; young people listening to 17 x 15 minute radio messages/promotion
Funding	AusAID ANCP Project

Fiji - Stemming the Northern Tide - Addressing HIV/AIDS in Fiji

Working in partnership with Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji, the project aims to increase knowledge and skills and change behaviours of communities to impact on HIV/AIDS in rural parts of Fiji.

Activities during 2008/09 included workshops conducted Labasa, Wailevu, Lekutu, Vuya, Bua and Seagaga Districts with up to 30 community members attending per workshop. 

Country	Fiji
Projects	Youth for Health
Where	Bua Province
Partners	Reproductive and Family Health Association of Fiji
Who	728 beneficiaries in Tavea Island, Nasarowaqa and Votua Village
Funding	AusAID ANCP Project

Timor-Leste - Sexual Reproductive Health Training and Health Promotion Capacity Building

During 2008/09, the aim of the project was to increase the capacity of Health Promotion and Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) in Reproductive Health. Activities included the field testing of health promotion and community education resources to ensure that they are culturally appropriate, delivery of Men and Boys Reproductive Health and Behaviour Change training to 20 participants as Men and Boys/Reproductive Health community based advocates including representatives from the Ministry of Health and other NGOs.

Country	Timor Leste
Projects	Engaging Men to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health
Where	Riheu Suco, Ermera District
Partners	Cooperative Cafe Timor
Who	Men's health group leader and 14 peer educators trained, 5 Aldiea Men's Health groups established
Funding	AusAID ANCP Project and private donor

Cook Islands - Building Capacity: Reproductive Health and Young People

Working in partnership with the Cook Islands Family Welfare Association, the project aims to raise the capacity of reproductive and sexual health educators to deliver up- to- date health promotion programs to young people in the Cook Islands. This was achieved by the delivery of health promotion workshops to Board members, staff and peer educators and the development of a culturally appropriate health promotion activities and resources.

Papua New Guinea - COMPASS

The COMPASS project is an AusAID funded project to 2012 with the aim to improve the HIV status in Papua New Guinea as part of Papua New Guinea Sexual Health Improvement Program (PASHIP). The COMPASS project is a partnership between SH&FPA, Papua New Guinea Family Health Association and Family Planning New Zealand International.

The project has four outputs:

1. Awareness raised and positive change supported among men and boys on sexual and related behaviours;
2. Training provided for staff and provincial and district health services on STI treatment in Morobe and East Sepik Provinces;
3. Advanced qualification trialled using open distance learning mode;
4. Strengthened clinical and management capacity in existing STI referral centres or alternative centre.

Country	Papua New Guinea
Projects	COMPASS (Clinical Outreach, Men's Programs, Advocacy and Sexual Health Services Strengthening)
Where	Lae, Goroke, East Sepik
Partners	Papua New Guinea Family Health Association, Family Planning New Zealand International, Canberra Sexual Health, HELP Resources
Funding	AusAID PASHIP (PNG-Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program)

Population and Climate Change

The first Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger is inextricably linked to issues of population growth and reproductive health.

In early 2007, research undertaken by the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Population, Development and Reproductive Health found overwhelming evidence of the impact of rapid population growth in developing countries on achieving MDGs.

The APPG found rampant environmental degradation in food scarce areas of the world experiencing rapid population growth.

The link between population and climate change is exemplified by the loss of forests, a result of excessive felling of trees for fuel, clearing land for cultivation and overgrazing, activities which release carbon dioxide and exacerbate global warming.

In addition, climate change has also resulted in water scarcity and decreasing ground water levels from intensive agriculture. In overpopulated countries such as Kenya, access to clean water has decreased and infant mortality has increased.

The increase in rural-urban migration has resulted in increasing numbers of people living in slums, and exerted pressure on health, education and sanitation infrastructure.

These issues can be alleviated by making the option of family planning more widely available. Family planning plays an integral role in efforts to reduce poverty, improve maternal and child health and to forestall further environmental damage.

Common Ground

Working in partnership with the Australian Reproductive Health Alliance, the project aims to educate the Australian community on the links between population, the environment and development issues. The project is funded in 2008/09 to develop a resource kit to be placed on the Common Ground website, as a resource kit for trainers to run workshops on population, environment and development issues.