Population growth, when accompanied by increased agricultural production and adequate education for all, can be an important element of a prosperous society, providing a strong labor force to help drive the economy.  Where population growth exceeds the capacity of the economy to absorb and integrate the population, the result is not prosperity for the majority of the people, but rather a downward spiral of increasing poverty, insufficient resources, urban violence and environmental degradation. The poorest of the poor are the most adversely affected.

Sustainable development, preservation of the environment and the quality of life for all people, especially the new generations, are impacted by population growth. Present world birth rates and longer life expectancy contribute to accelerated population growth, which puts an ever-increasing strain on the non-renewable resources necessary for sustainable development. Through projects such as Hunger, Concern for the Aging, AIDS, Literacy and Preserve Planet Earth, Rotary clubs have already begun to address the issue of population growth, both directly and indirectly.

Rotary International encourages Rotary clubs and districts, working as appropriate with government agencies, non governmental organizations and local leadership to increase awareness and undertake even more projects that directly impact population growth and sustainable development.  Projects would include those that promote education on the issue of population, access to family health care, adequate nutrition, and enable individuals to make informed and responsible decisions about issues such as child spacing, in a way that is in keeping with their personal values and cultural and religious considerations.

(The General Secretary is requested to widely communicate Rotary's statement on population growth and development to the Rotary world and other organizations, as appropriate, through existing RI communications vehicles.

Recommends population growth and development as an optional topic to be presented on the programs of District Conferences, Regional Conferences, Rotary Institutes, International Institutes, Presidential Conferences and Rotary club meetings;
 

1. Recommends that the President-elect consider appointing a population growth and development task force to promote awareness of issues related to population growth and development and advise Rotarians on relevant project development and implementation;
    
2. Requests the General Secretary to
    
1. provide contact information of the Population Growth and Development Committee on the RI web site and invite Rotarians to contact them directly with questions or requests for guidance;
    
2. communicate to the Trustee Chairman the committee's request that District Governors elect be encouraged to present projects related to population at the 2000 International Assembly's Projects Fair;
    
3. promote awareness of population growth and development issues and successful ongoing projects via RI communication vehicles (e.g., Rotary World, The Rotarian, etc.); develop and produce materials at no significant cost to to RI, to promote awareness of the population issue.
    

Project Development

The following key areas should be emphasized by clubs and districts when developing projects on population growth and development:

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1. Education - particularly of girl children, and mothers
2. Aging population
3. Sanitation/hygiene
4. Access to health, including family health care
5. Nutrition
6. At risk children
7. Skill development and employment
8. Literacy
9. Microcredit

1. Be based on the request of the community
2. Incorporate the culture of the societies concerned
3. Favor only voluntary family planning, excluding any compulsory birth control
4. Never provide material incentives to limit births
5. Respect the rights of all involved
6. Be cognizant of the freedom of choice of individuals