NDP decided to open the file of the demographic issue by a new vision and policies suitable for the new challenges facing Egypt.

Although we started family planning policies 20 years ago, we did not achieve any tangible progress in facing the problem.

If the population growth continued as it is now, Egypt population will reach 118 million after 23 years according to the statistics of the Cabinet's information center. The demographic issue is one of the most important challenges encountering the nation since the overpopulation requires more educational, health services, utilities, transportation and foodstuff.

In fact there are true challenges encountering all the efforts and programs of family planning including the economic growth.

We are optimistic because NDP adopts the idea of decentralism when facing the problem. Thus NDP gives a big role to all categories of society either parties or civil society organizations to put plans, programs and media messages in the coming phase.

The problem is very dangerous thus it must be at the top of our priorities and efforts must be unified to solve the problem.

Elham Abou el-fetouh

Al Akhbar

30/10/2007