BKKBN gears up for autonomy

The National Family Planning Coordination Board (BKKBN) will hold a national workshop later this week to determine both strategy and policies in line with regional autonomy.

"The meeting will focus on our evaluation of program implementation in 2001 and discussions on operational programs in 2002 and short-term plans for 2003," BKKBN chief Yaumil C. Agoes Achir Yaumil said in a hearing with House of Representatives Commission VII for people's welfare on Monday.

Some 250 participants, including government officials, non- governmental organization activists and experts, have been invited to the workshop, which will take place from Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at the BKKBN offices.

Noted participants will include economist Ascobat Gani, population and demography expert Srimurti Ningsih, Gavin Jones of the Australian National University, chairman of the Indonesian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development Surya Chandra Surapati and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Harun Al Rasyid.

President Megawati is expected to open the workshop in a ceremony at the State Palace.

Beginning from Jan. 1, 2004 at the latest, regional governments will have to arrange and execute their own family planning policies, according to Presidential Decree No. 103/2001. --JP