Population growth – a key problem of our time

There are many other ways to make the problem of population growth visible at various levels: at the grassroots level, through local, regional and global NGOs; within the framework of UN organizations, through international conferences, at which appropriate initiatives, measures and encouraging examples are presented, etc. Above all, it must be made clear everywhere that the commitment to preserve our livelihoods and a healthy environment is closely linked to a sensible population policy.

2. Reorientation of development cooperation (development aid)

In our view, a very effective approach is a reorientation of development cooperation (aka development aid).

In the "South," national population policy measures (see point 3) require foreign funding. Politicians from countries of the "North" can offer to fund programs in the problem countries that have population policy objectives. Such dedicated funds would be among the most effective types of development aid.
Allocation of funds for development aid (or development cooperation) can be made dependent on the existence of a population policy and/or on the effectiveness of existing population policies. Establishment of monitoring, support and advisory mechanisms also requires external financial support.

3. Population policy measures

There is a whole range of non-repressive measures that have already been tried out in various countries.
These include:

• Awareness and education programs, especially for young women and girls
• "Positive campaigning", e.g., advertising for small families (for two-child families), as was done in India in the 1970s
• Free provision of contraceptives
• Financial incentives for voluntary sterilization (of men and women)
• State guarantee of a pension for the poorer classes, which is linked to not having more than two children
• Establishment of advisory and support structures as part of development cooperation (see also point 2).