World Population Day is celebrated on July 11 of every year to raise awareness of global population issues. It was inspired by the public interest in Five Billion Day on 11 July 1987, which was estimated to be the date on which the world’s population reached 5 billion people. As of this writing, the world population is at 7.14 billion people.

2014 Theme: Investing in Young People

From the United Nations:

As the world population edged to 7 billion people in 2011 (up from 2.5 billion in 1950), it has had profound implications for development. A world of 7 billion is both a challenge and an opportunity with implications on sustainability, urbanization, access to health services and youth empowerment.

In 1989, in its decision 89/46, the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme recommended that, in order to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues in the context of overall development plans and programmes and the need to find solutions for these issues, 11 July should be observed by the international community as World Population Day.

Today’s 1.8 billion young people are shaping social and economic realities, challenging norms and values, and building the foundation of the world’s future. Yet too many young people continue to grapple with poverty, inequality and human rights violations that prevent them from reaching their personal and collective potential.

On 2014 World Population Day, we call for investments in support of the largest-ever generation of youth.

#WPD2014 Celebration in the Philippines

To bring the discussions on investing in young people at the center of national attention, various youth groups with the Commission on Population, the UNFPA, and other allies are hosting an event where young people from all over the country will have the opportunity to meet and discuss with decision-makers from the government, private sector, and civil society organizations about young people’s development–the protection of their right and their participation to achieve their total well-being.

The event on July 11 at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 3 in Pasig City is a marketplace of Good Practices on Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health programs showcasing outstanding youth development programs to parents and young people. Featured programs have been implemented for more than a year, have demonstrated tangible results, have documented human interest stories, and are ideal for replication in other areas.

Here is the programme for the event:

10:00am – 10:30am: Registration

10:30am – 10:45am: Ribbon-cutting and formal opening of booths and photo exhibits

Miss Philippines Earth 2014 winners
Mr. Neil Fidelle Lomibao, Youth Advisory Panel
Mr. Ranier Naldoza, Youth Peer Education Network
Mr. Klaus Beck, Representative, UNFPA
Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, Execjutive Director, POPCOM

10:45am – 2:00pm: Marketplace of Youth Programs; selfie photos; interaction with celebrities

2:00pm – 2:05pm: Philippine National Anthem

2:05pm – 2:10pm: Welcome Message by Mr. Klaus Beck, Country Representative, United Nations Population Fund

2:10pm – 3:10pm: Forum with Ms. Ana Santos: “Investing on Young People: What is it Worth?”

Guests:
Ms. Gang Badoy, Founder and Executive Director, Rock Ed Philippines
Mr. Hertz Pura, Porsche Training and Recruitment Center Asia, PGA Cars, Inc.
Ms. Bea Rose Santiago, Miss International 2013
Hon. Jo Jan Paul Penol, Commissioner for the Visayas, National Youth Commission

Resource Persons:
Dir. Jocelyn DR Andaya, Bureau of Secondary Education, Department of Education
Ms. Sevilla Panaligan, Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems, Department of Education
Hon. Ahmma Charisma Lobrin-Satumba, OIC-Director, Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns, Department of Labor and Employment
Dr. Esperanza Cabral, Senior Policy Adviser, UNFPA and former Secretary of Health and Social Welfare and Development
Dr. Josefina Natividad, Director, University of the Philippines Population Institute

With the special participation of:
Mr. Sam YG, radio DJ and TV personality
Mr. Luke Jickain, actor and model
Ms. Diane Querrer, Miss Philippines Air 2014
Bianca Paz, Miss Philippines Fire 2014
Carlo Lopez, Viva recording artist

3:10pm – 3:15pm: Closing Remarks by Dr. Juan Antonio Perez III, Executive Director, Commission on Population

3:15pm – 6:00pm: Continuation of Marketplace of Youth Programs; selfie photos

Join the discussions on #WPD2014 here!

#WPD2014 Tweets

Contribute your selfie here!