From 29th to 31st October, the 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights was held in Hyderabad, India, under the theme of "Exploring New Frontiers in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights."

JOICFP hosted a booth at the conference where it gave presentations on its ICT for behavior change communication (BCC), highlighting the DigiPlan approach.

Using the example of the picture theater from Myanmar, JOICFP placed emphasis on emotional communication rather than just delivering correct information.

JOICFP also explained its multi-solution technology, and Power Template Model for effective BCC, giving the example of raising male involvement in through a UNFPA-supported Asia Regional Project.

This project was focused on in a special presentation, giving the background, data, tools used, experiences and lessons learned in a practical ‘how to’ session, answering such questions as, "How do you attract men to work for women’s health?"

Meeting with delegates at the JOICFP booth

The conference hosted a youth center where young representatives could gather in an informal atmosphere. This center was created and managed by the members of Asia Pacific Alliance (APA), which JOICFP also takes part in.

About 100 young delegates attended the conference, and a half-day Youth Orientation Workshop was held to assist young delegates get the most out of the conference, explaining how to set clear objectives and realize expectations. Delegates were also informed on how to negotiate with adults regarding RH issues of young people.

At the youth center, young delegates were able to obtain materials created by different organizations including a CD ROM with a quiz on sexual reproductive health and rights created by APA members. JOICFP also highlighted the Maggie Apron, the Movah! project, and the collection of Voices! from young people.

At the Youth Orientation Workshop

On 31st October, Sumie Ishii, Executive Director, JOICFP, along with Jill Sheffield, President, Family Care International, and Raj Karim, Director, ESEAOR, IPPF, spoke at a conference plenary session entitled "Making Women’s Lives Safer."

Ishii focused on a Plan to Action for TICAD IV, saying that it was an opportunity for Japan and that health must be an individual topic, not just included in other areas.

The G8 Summit is an opportunity for Japan
to put health on the international agenda, said Ishii

It is possible that there already has been some success on this point as at the Women Deliver conference in London held earlier in October, a Japanese government spokesman promised a high-level communication on health in the coming months.

JOICFP sees it as very important to work closely with its network counterparts, helping strengthen the pressure it can bring on the government.

JOICFP chairs the health working group of the G8 NGO Forum liaising with the Japanese government toward TICAD IV and the G8 Summit in Japan 2008, and it will conduct a domestic campaign toward the G8 Summit agenda.