Since 1960 we have both watched and participated in the evolution of values, ideas and strategies to address the twin problems of population pressures and the health and welfare of women. We have observed this evolution from different perspectives, from different vantage points and from different hemispheres. As we jointly planned the meeting described in this volume, it seemed to us that the last thirty years produced several generations of ideas.
In the late 1950s, policy-makers and those concerned with social and economic development asked themselves the question: "Is population growth a problem ?"
When the answer to that question appeared to be in the affirmative, the question for the 1960s was: "How can technologies be developed and distributed to solve this problem?"
A partial answer was found in the invention of modern birth control technologies.
In the 1970s, the international community focused on the production and distribution of these technologies and on persuading governments to recognize the urgency of controlling population growth.
In the 1980s, and into the next century, this generation is asking: "How can the technologies be adapted and adopted to best serve both the individual women - the consumer - as well as the community? How can we balance the scales of public policy?"
We are also asking: "How can we encourage and engage a broad and deep political will to improve the quality of the technologies, to enhance their use and to ensure free and fully informed choices for the consumer?"
The Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction of the World Health Organization and the International Women's Health Coalition have come together with a shared commitment to build on the values and ideas that have evolved over the past thirty years. We want to create understanding and strategies that will enhance scientific exploration, improve the quality of technology and encourage advocacy on behalf of women's health and well-being.
The meeting described here represents the beginning of a process. We are on the threshold of collaboration between the users of technology and the creators of it. This requires development of trust through honest and straightforward dialogue between groups which conventional wisdom said could not talk to one another. The meeting described here defied that conventional wisdom, proving that scientists and women's health advocates can hear each other and respect each others' views even when they differ.
This is the first in a series of discussions which we plan with our colleagues and friends from all walks of life.
Mahmoud Fathalla
Director, Special Programme of Research,
Development and Research Training in Human ReproductionJoan Dunlop
President, International Women's Health Coalition
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