High Level Task Force for ICPD: Rights, Dignity & Health for All
Monday, October 1, 2012 at 2:09PM Prioritizes gender equality, youth health and rights, in international development efforts
The first meeting of the High Level Task Force (HLTF) members has taken place in New York and the Task Force is being launched officially today 1 October 2012. The HLTF, chaired jointly by former Presidents Tarja Halonen of Finland and Joachim Chissano of Mozambique, comprises 26 eminent government, civil society and private sector leaders. Members include HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, former Mexican Minister of Health and current Dean of the Faculty at Harvard School of Public Health Dr Julio Frenk. Bience Gawanas, former Commissioner for Social Affairs at the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Liberian, 2011 Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee and Ashoka Fellow and Indian youth leader Ishita Chadhry. Members of the HLTF from civil society include Renate Baehr (Germany), Mariela Castro Espín (Cuba), Elena Dmitrieva (Russian Federation); Pinar Ilkkaracan (Turkey), Alessandra Nilo (Brazil), Sandeep Prasad (Canada), Gita Sen (Indiaand Mona Zulficar (Egypt) . The Director for the HLTF is Maria Jose Alcala, a global expert on the ICPD and gender equality. A full list of the members and their bios is avaialble here.
As stated by President Halonen, “The year 2015 will be a milestone, as governments chart a global agenda to reduce poverty and inequality, sexual and reproductive health and rights must be prioritized. To this end, the High-Level Task Force was formed. Investments in services and programs that help young people and women achieve their full potential are common sense: they improve the lives of individuals, strengthen communities and create a more just and sustainable world.”
Attached is the full press release issued on 26 September 2012