More young people than ever are entering their childbearing and working years. At the same time, the number and proportion of people over age 65 are increasing at an unprecedented rate. Our future will be shaped by how well families and societies meet the needs of these growing "new generations": education and health -- including reproductive health -- for the young, and social, medical and financial support for the elderly.

This publication documents UNFPA's contribution to the goals of the World Summit for Children and its commitment to young people. This commitment, anchored in the ICPD Programme of Action, includes support in four major areas: girls' education, adolescent reproductive and sexual health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and maternal mortality. Examples of UNFPA-funded projects in each of these areas are presented, as are strategies for moving forward.

Every day in developing countries, 20,000 girls below age 18 give birth. Nine in 10 of these births occur within marriage or a union. This has consequences on the health, education, employment and rights of an untold millions of girls. What are the challenges of adolescent pregnancy, and what can we do to ensure girls have a healthy and safe transition into adulthood?

• Resources

This publication highlights the importance of the ICPD Programme of Action, the "Cairo+5" discussions and subsequent experience and agreements as we mobilize to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

From 1998 - 2002 the European Commission, UNFPA and European and local NGOs came together under the Initiative for Reproductive Health in Asia (RHI) to improve the RH of vulnerable populations in 7 countries in South and Southeast Asia. This publication presents the activities, experiences and lessons learned over the course of the first phase of this innovative programme.