Vientiane, 10 November 2015 - A consultation meeting on the establishment of Master Programme in Population and Development Studies was conducted today by the National University of Laos with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Lao PDR, at the Landmark Hotel.

The meeting brought experts from both academics and line ministries to discuss population issues and challenges in Laos, as well as the need of establishment of the master programme in Population and Development Studies under the Faculty of Social Sciences, the National University of Laos in order to meet the needs of the country socio-economic development. However, the country still has limited capacity in the area of demographic analysis or linking population to development.

Lao PDR is continuing to have an increased population and has experiencing a change in population structure that brings both challenges and opportunities to the country development. Understanding the implication through evidence and analysis will allow the country for better plan for the future.

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA at the meeting, Ms Pafoualee Leechuefoung, Assistant Representative said: "It is essential to understand the population dynamic, as it is a fundamental element to socio-economic development plan". "The structure of Lao population has a positive potential toward country development, only if it is recognized by policymaker and applied properly into planning process." She added.

Human resources is one of the main factors to country development. In line with the socio-economic strategic development plan, which aims to end poverty and graduate from the least developed countries status by 2030, it is essential to develop and improve quality of human resources to serve the needs substantially. 

Yet, Laos is lagging behind other ASEAN countries in achieving universal primary education. The lack of access to quality education, sexual and reproductive health and rights often lead to early marriage and pregnancy. Although the maternal death rate has been reduced to 357/100,000 live births (LSIS 2011-2012), more efforts need to be made by creating quality midwives and providing family planning, as these are the essential elements that could cut maternal deaths by almost a third, it is therefore a cost-effective interventions to help reduce maternal death.

Associate Prof. Dr Khammany Soulideth, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said at the meeting: "We have seen the increasing of importance and needs of society, the benefits and challenges on population issues, as well as population management in line with current socio-economic growth and policies on population issue, it is essential to expand the master curriculum in population and development studies in the faculty of social sciences, National University of Laos."

The meeting initiated discussion among professionals to brainstorm and exchange ideas on creating the master progamme on population and development studies according to current socio-economic development.

For more information, please contact:
Ms Vanly Lorkuangming - Communications Associate, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Laos
Tel: +856 21 353048, 315547
Fax: +856 21 353051
Email: [email protected]