Inclusion of ‘Population, Development ’in curriculum proposed

Islamabad
Faculty members of different higher education institutions supported to include ‘Population and Development’ in the curriculum of Mass Communication studies to enhance for better understanding of population issues and their implication.
The agreement was reached at a two-day orientation session on ‘Population and Development,’ organised by Population Council on Friday. The session was attended by senior faculty members of mass communication departments of 11 leading universities of the country.
This workshop was arranged under UNFPA funded project ‘Sochain, Badlain, Amal Karain.’
Eminent demographers and researchers of the country briefed the participants on development issues related to population. All the faculty members assured their support to include ‘Population and Development’ as a core subject in mass communication curriculum. It was shared that University of the Punjab has already included this subject as a core course in the Mass Communication Studies.
Since last one year, Population Council has been actively working with Pakistani universities to incorporate a course on population and development in the curriculum of undergraduate and postgraduate levels being offered by communication departments.
The participants were of the opinion that the introduction of such courses, future media professionals can develop a better understanding about population issues and their implication confronting Pakistan.
The workshop highlighted topics such as Islam and Family Wellbeing, Population Dynamics, Intersection between Population and Development, Migration, Urbanization, and Globalisation, Poverty, Family Health and Population Growth, Interrelations of Population, Natural Resources and Environment, Gender Equality, Equity and Development.
Most of the participants expressed that this step to include population and development will not only build capacity of future media professionals but they will also serve as advocates for the promotion of benefits of birth spacing in their respective communities. The participants also presented recommendation on how to convert the population concepts into mass media products and suggested many options.
The concluding session was chaired by senior journalist Ziauddin. He emphasised that only education can bring real change in the country and appreciated the efforts of Population Council in highlighting and working for this national cause. Country Director of Population Council Dr. Zeba Sathar highly appreciated the interest shown by the universities for teaching this topic of national importance.