11 June 2014 - 13 June 2014
Prague, Czech Republic

UNFPA Population and Development Dialogue

Tatyana Haplichnik will discuss the importance of education and the investment in young people for development at this high level meeting.

UN Photo/Sophia Paris

UN Photo/Sophia Paris

This international conference entitled “Population and Development Dialogue: Building Human Capital for Prosperity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” is organized by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) in Prague between 11-13 June. The purpose of the event is to initiate a dialogue among high-level policy-makers and experts aimed at gaining a better understanding of the impact of current demographic changes on societies in the region, and identifying ways to respond through national policies reflecting the principles enshrined in the ICPD Programme of Action and other relevant international documents and instruments. 

The conference provides an opportunity for in-depth discussions on key questions posed by policy makers: population dynamics and the future development agenda; growth through human development; changing the world through investments in women and girls; and investments in young people as key to achieving development goals.

Head of Coordination and Outreach at the Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, VID/ÖAW, WU), Tatyana Haplichnik is on the panelist of the “Investing in Young People – Key to Achieving Development Goals” session on the first day. This panel will discuss the importance of investing in young peoples’ health and education, and the positive effects of youth development on the economy and society as a whole. The need to match education and training more effectively with the requirements of the labour market will be addressed. Tomas Sobotka, senior scientist at the Wittgenstein Centre, will be discussent at the second panel session on "Driving Growth through Human Development", where the changing fertility rates in the region and the issue of inequality in societies will be main topics. Discussions will focus on how societies can prosper in the context of population decrease and ageing and the importance of investment in human capital, particularly education and health, for ensuring stability and prosperity of societies.

The deliberations will assess the short and long-term development impact of policy responses. Building on existing analysis related to the focus areas, the experts will discuss the issues of concern identified and complement the scenarios of possible solutions for the future. The High-level representatives present at the meeting will be the one providing feedback and a “reality check” on the implementation of suggested policy response directions. During the discussions research gaps will be identifies as well as persisting challenges, emerging issues and future development priorities to be given specific attention. 

The outcome document will include a regional situation analysis based on research completed prior to the event, a summary of interventions by policy-makers and experts, and a list of recommendations made during the meeting, as well as a section on development scenarios. The report will be issued after the event.

The event is also expected to lead to the establishment of a core group of policy-makers willing to act as champions of the dialogue process. This group is to be supported by a small “think tank” of leading experts.


Print this page

Last edited: 11 June 2014

International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
Schlossplatz 1, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria
Phone: (+43 2236) 807 0 Fax:(+43 2236) 71 313