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UNFPA Representative speaks at EWU on Population and Development

Arthur Erken, the UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh made a courtesy visit to East West University, and gave a colloquium lecture on Population and Development to the students and faculty members at the university auditorium on June 25.

In his presentation, Erken showed the global population trends and Bangladesh population prognosis and challenges. Erken revealed that Bangladesh is globally acclaimed as a success story in fertility reduction across different wealth groups starting from a low income and literacy base, yet the population would grow to 225 million by 2050 from today's 150 million due to momentum and young age structure.

Arthur Erken, the UNFPA representative in Bangladesh is giving a lecture on population and development. Courtesy: Habib Mohammad Ali

Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, President, Board of Trustees of EWU, chaired the whole session and also took part in the discussion. Dr Rafiqul Huda Choudhury, member, Board of Trustees of EWU and former UNFPA CST advisor also explained the regional variations in reproductive health indicators in low performing areas like Sylhet and Chittagong while exploring some unique Bangladeshi paradox. Deans, faculty members, administrative personnel and students of EWU took part in this event to listen from the Representative on this issue.