HomeMy WebLinkAbout1015 World Pop. Awareness PROCLAMATION
More than one billion people -- one sixth of the world's population -- are between the ages of
15 and 24, the largest generation ever in this age bracket.
· Nearly half the world's population, and 63% in the least developed countries, is under age 25.
Seventeen million young women between the ages of 15 and 19 give birth every year, including
some 13 million who live in less developed countries.
· Early pregnancy and childbearing is associated with serious health risks, as well as less
education and lower future income potential for young mothers.
· Risk of dying from complications of pregnancy or childbirth are 25 times higher for girls under
15, and two times higher for women between 15 and 19.
· Approximately half of the five million people infected with HIV last year were young people
aged 15 to 24.
· Almost 12 million young people now live with HIV, and about 6000 more become infected
every day.
· The choices young people make today regarding their sexual and reproductive lives, including
responsible male behavior, will determine whether world population stabilizes at eight billion or
less or nine billion or more.
· The theme of World Population Awareness week, proclaimed last year by United States
Governors of 31 states, the Mayors of 288 U.S. Cities, and 266 organizations from 77 countries,
is "Population and the Next Generation."
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council and Mayor, on behalf of the citizens of Ashland, hereby
proclaim October 20 - 26, 2002 as
WORLD POPULATION AWARENESS WEEK
and urge all citizens to take cognizance of this event and to participate appropriately in its
observance.
Dated this 15th day of October, 2002. ~ ~z~
Alan DeBoer, Mayor
Barbara Christensen, City Recorder ~