Dakar, 29th November 2011: “We believe passionately in partnership and the value of learning from others, which is why Marie Stopes International is delighted to be so actively involved in the International Conference on Family Planning. If we are to do justice to the 215 million women who want, but cannot access modern family planning methods, the international health community must actively work together.” Dana Hovig, CEO, Marie Stopes International.
Marie Stopes International is honoured to have been invited to deliver 21 presentations, panels and posters at the esteemed International Conference on Family Planning in Dakar, Senegal this week.
Our experts will bring a range of family planning priorities to the fore, delivering: five posters, 13 oral presentations and two panels at the conference, along with a very prestigious slot for our CEO Dana Hovig, who will chair the closing plenary: Securing the Right to Family Planning and its Benefits.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank our global partners for all their support in our preparations for this conference – many of whom have helped enrich our contribution to the event. With support from the UN Foundation, Marie Stopes International is running a session with Pathfinder International to look at how to harness the experience of field implementers for US based advocacy work. With guidance from USAID meanwhile, we have collaborated with Population Services International and EngenderHealth to design two interactive sessions: Implementing Best Practice on Expanding Contraceptive Choice, and Integrating Family Planning in and Beyond the Health Sector.
As well as our official contribution at the conference, we are leading and participating in several auxiliary sessions:
- Dana Hovig, CEO is leading an Emerging Leaders Luncheon Roundtable on Innovative financing mechanisms
- we are showcasing our latest Impact Estimator tool at the conference’s technology café. Impact 2 brings together our two previous models, the REACH Calculator and the Impact Estimator
- we are speaking at Strengthening Evidence for Programming on Unintended Pregnancy (STEP UP), session about accelerating progress on improving research and translating it into practice
- in addition, our newest country programme, Marie Stopes International Senegal will be hosting several site visits with key donors and stakeholders.
Only the second of its kind, this high level meeting brings together global leaders in service delivery, research, advocacy and policy making to share research and best practice. Our organisation will focus on strategic areas including reaching the underserved, engaging the private sector, task shifting and the importance of data.
The health community has an invaluable opportunity to learn, engage and take action. The 2011 International Conference on Family Planning is sure to be a key milestone for international development and one that Marie Stopes International is proud to be so actively involved in.
Find out about our events at the conference
Read the full conference programme