16 October 2017

MEDIA BRIEF

International Population Conference 29 October – 4 November 2017, Cape Town

1. Introduction/ Situation Analysis

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) will host the 28^th International Conference (IPC) of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population (IUSSP) on behalf of government from 29 October to 4 November in Cape Town. This event is held every four years and would be the first time that it is coming to sub-Saharan African soil in its 89-year history, following Stats SA successful bidding.  The issues of engagement resonate with current discourse on youth unemployment, demographic transition, HIV/AIDS and STIs, migration and many other population and demography issues at international, regional and local level. Discussions will go further in providing a yardstick to analyse the course towards the realisation of the goals of the National Development Plan which among others is to reduce unemployment to 5.4% by 2030. Further, the NDP alludes to the impact of the demographic transition on the population structure, size of the labour force, and demand for services.

These and many other demographic and population issues that impact development in the world, continent and region are to be discussed by experts in the field of demography and related subjects at the IUSSP Conference. The conference will include over 240 regular scientific sessions, poster sessions, training sessions as well as plenary and debate sessions, side meeting and exhibits.

2. Purpose

The purpose of this brief is to inform editors and producers about the upcoming International Population Conference, scheduled for the 29 October – 4 November 2017, Cape Town ICC.

3. About the IUSSP Conference

• The IUSSP is the largest international professional association of population specialists with over 2000 members from 140 countries.
• IUSSP brings together researchers, scholars, policy makers and others from diverse disciplinary and professional backgrounds to address key population issues.
• Every four years, the IUSSP organises the International Population Conference. This conference provides an opportunity for scientists, programme managers and policy makers from all over the world to review advances made in the study of population issues and to debate possible actions and policy responses to the challenges posed by population phenomena.
• The conference will take place from 29 of October – 4 November in Cape Town ICC

4. Conference Themes

1. Ageing and Intergenerational Relations
2. Biodemography
3. Children and Youth
4. Culture, Religion, Language and Demographic Behaviours
5. Demographic Methods and Data
6. Education and Labour Force
7. Fertility
8. Gender and Population
9. Marriage and Union Formation
10. Historical Demography
11. HIV/AIDS and STIs
12. Marriage and Union Formation, Families and Households
13. Migration and Urbanisation
14. Population and Development
15. Population and Human Rights
16. Population, Consumption and the Environment
17. Sexuality and Reproductive Health
18. Spatial Demography, Stephen Matthews
19. Population and Policy Challenges in Africa

5. Conference Programme

https://iussp.confex.com/iussp/ipc2017/meetingapp.cgi/ModuleSessionsByDay/0

Key Activities

• Media Workshop: Date to be confirmed
• Media Conference: 29 October 2017- time to be confirmed
• Opening: 29 October – 17H00

Welcoming address and key speakers: Mr Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, Mr Jeff Radebe, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation and Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, Professor Tukufu Zuberi, University of Pennsylvania, Dr Anastasia Gage, IUSSP President, Dr. Natalia Kanem, UNFPA Executive Director, Dr Pali Lehohla, Statistician-General and head of Statistics South Africa.

• Africa Population Day: 31 October to 1 November 2017

6. Media arrangements

• A media workshop will be held ahead of the conference to prepare reporters on the content to be covered
• Members of the media must have accreditation to gain access to the conference. A form for accreditation to be sent to members of the media to be filled and submitted by 20 October 2017.
• Special request for covering the conference should be sent to the media team no later than 20 October 2017.
• Logistics and IT related inquiries should be sent to felicias@statssa.gov.za
• Media and editorial enquiries to be directed to: Lesedi Dibakwane lesedid@statssa.gov.za on 012 310 8578/0828057088
• IUSSP information to be made available on the Stats SA website, through media releases and Stats SA social media platforms.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/statssa

Tweeter: @StatsSA

IUSSP link: ipc2017capetown.iussp.org

Facebook: IPC2017

Tweeter: IPC2017