The first of 9 meetings was held yesterday in Yangon for members of political parties and potential election candidates. Fifty two members attended, representing 22 political parties for a briefing that is part of on-going efforts by UNFPA to promote understanding, access, and the use of census data. The census data can be a source of information as well as a resource tool for political parties to use for a comprehensive understanding of the socio economic characteristics and the living conditions of the people in their constituencies. In her opening remarks Ms. Janet E. Jackson, Country Representative, UNFPA, called on participants to study the census data and encouraged them to use it as a resource. She added: "All politicians have and express opinions and positions on a range of issues that are of particular political and social interest in an election process. When it concerns population and living conditions especially, these need to be grounded in facts and reliable data and the census offers this possibility".
UNFPA has provided support to ensure that census reports are user friendly, available in various forms and widely accessible across the country. This support is part of wider efforts in the country to build participation, peace, stability, prosperity, democratization and inclusiveness. A further 8 briefings, that are expected to draw hundreds more members of political parties, potential election candidates and community groups, will take place in Mandalay, Shan, Kayah, Ayerwaddy and Yangon ending in November.
