Conferences and meetings as a communication technique

Abstract

The author examines the extent to which conferences and meetings have been involved in the development of the population/family planning field and particularly in the development of communication as a component of population/family planning programs. Significant international, regional and problem-oriented meetings that have taken place during the last decade are reviewed in terms of their purpose, subject matter, sponsorship, and impact on world awareness and national policies and programs. Topics covered include the roles of various agencies and organizations which organize and fund conferences related to population communication, conferences with and for the mass media, conferences and meetings as components of specific projects, and the development of meetings on the national level. A detailed case study of a conference is presented to show how conferences are planned, conducted and evaluated, and to identify desirable and undesirable aspects of conference management. The author concludes by taking an overall look at conferences and identifying their positive elements and their major shortcomings, by presenting guidelines for conference planners and managers, and by assessing trends and alternatives for population/family planning conferences in the future.