UNFPA Background Guide - National Model United Nations

This source provides an account of the negative effects of urbanization from an individualistic
perspective, which is important as it is in line with UNFPA’s ethos. It draws upon reports from
sources as varied as the UNDP and the Asian Development Bank for economic indicators, which
once again lends it as a good place for further research. It also features an environmental
perspective on the impact of urbanization on peoples’ livelihoods. Delegates wishing to
understand the role of culture with regards to modernization will find this an informative source,
since as the source indicates, the Pacific region may be the least connected area globally, even if
it is catching up.
United Nations, Commission on Population and Development, Forty-second session. (2009, January 21). Flow of
financial resources for assisting in the implementation of the Program of Action of the International Conference on
Population and Development: Report of the Secretary-General. Retrieved 29 July 2013 from:
http://www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/global/shared/documents/publications/2009/N0921567.pdf
This is an excellent report detailing the data behind financial aid, with a breakdown on how the
money is spent. The report also discusses the methodology behind obtaining the data, which serves
both as verification of the report’s findings and as insight into UN data collection mechanisms.
Data was collected via survey questionnaires submitted by state governments. As such, it provides
delegates with the chance to find their country’s specific expenditures on population activities,
both domestically and as aid. However, there were issues of insufficient information, plus the
report was mostly on the national level, not region-specific (if there was a decentralized state
system).
United Nations, Economic and Social Council. (2004). Review and appraisal of the progress made in achieving the
goals and objectives of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development.
Retrieved 25 July 2013 from: http://www.unfpa.org/webdav/site/global/shared/documents/N0420670-2.pdf
This is the ICPD +10 review, as seen through the lens of the United Nations Secretary General. It
has a unique relevance in being the first review after the Millennium Summit. This means that it
references the MDGs, and gives a pretty good example of how inter-agency coordination can take
place. This is a second opportunity to look at how the actual review of the ICPD PoA
implementation takes place.
Samad, T., et al. (2012). Colombia Urbanization Review: Amplifying the Gains from the Urban Transition.
Washington, DC: World Bank Publications.
Providing recent examples in a developing country, this book, published under the auspices of the
World Bank, is a good source. It details the steps taken to improve the city system in Colombia,
which is over 80% urbanized. It looks at things from a mainly economical perspective, which is
useful for quantitative analysis. It mostly focuses on municipal or federal authorities as the main
actors.
Spence, M & P. Annez. (2009).Urbanization and Growth. Washington, DC: The World Bank.
This is a book commissioned by the Commission on Growth and Development, which is a body
under the authority of the World Bank. It offers a different perspective; where most of the sources
in this paper focus on the micro-, human element, it extolls the virtues of urbanization and sound
population policy at a macroeconomic level. This is a technical read, and offers historical
examples.
Tacoli, C. (2012). Urbanization, Gender and Urban Poverty: Paid Work and Unpaid Carework In The City. New
York.
This source offers a thorough look at the downside of urbanization, (for example; squatters, high
rape incident rates, or poor maternal and infant mortality). This working paper, commissioned by
UNFPA, is a very good place to pick up an understanding of what both urbanization, and urban
poverty entail. It does not, however, offer satisfactory quantitative data on its own. However, it
does reference many detailed studies to support its claims.
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