NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      NEW YORK (CWNews.com) - UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Wednesday that the nations of the world must address the issue of increasing population, but critics say the UN's answer is increased abortion, contraception, and teen sex education.

      "To no small extent, your efforts will help determine the way future generations live on this Earth: their health, the range of their choices, the stability of their societies," said Annan at a luncheon for participants in a three-day conference on population issues. The meeting follows on the UN population conference in Cairo five years ago, deciding on news ways to implement its conclusions.

      "Since Cairo, the world does understand ... that we have to stabilize the population of this planet," Annan said in his opening speech to the General Assembly. But increasing numbers of developing countries, mainly Catholic and Muslim nations and the Vatican, see the UN focus on population control as an attempt by the Western industrialized nations to remake the developing world in their image.

      US Assistant Secretary of State Julia Taft said the controversial preparatory meetings -- which saw the harassment of several pro-life, Catholic, and Muslim non-governmental organizations by pro-abortion officials -- had shown that population issues, especially women's reproductive issues, and development are linked. But several delegates said the key to development is not decreasing the number of people to accommodate the limited wealth, but to increase the opportunities for wealth and progress.

Articles provided through Catholic World News and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and International Dossiers, Daily Dispatches and Features at ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.