Conference on Reproductive Health May 6-8 in Bali

Bali Conference to Draw International Experts on Family Planning.

Indonesia's National Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) will act as hosts for the International Conference on Reproductive Health Management (ICHRM) scheduled to be held in Bali May 6-8, 2008 at the Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel in South Kuta.

Conference Goals
The ICHRM seeks to contribute to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through the convening of an international conference that will:

1. Highlight current and emergent practices in managing reproductive health among developing nations.

2. Identify gaps, gains, lessons, insights, challenges and opportunities in pursuing multiple priorities in the area of reproductive health and development; and

3. Reach a consensus on future actions to advance reproductive health management in accelerating the achievement of MDGs.

The first ICHRM held in the Philippines in 2006 attracted 625 participants from 11 countries. This year's conference in Bali is expected to attract a similar number.

The Indonesian Statistics Bureau (BPS) estimates that in 2006 there were 691,955 couples living in Bali within the reproductive age span grouping. Of that total, 445,109 couples (64%) use some sort of contraceptive device.

The Conference, also supported by the United Nations Population Fund will be opened by Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie.