By placing the causes and effects of rapid population growth in the context of human development and social progress, governments and individuals of all political, religious, and cultural backgrounds are able to endorse the recommendations of the Cairo document. Even though it is not binding, the ICPD document can serve several important purposes. It gives legitimacy to a particular framework of thinking about what needs to be done to bring down population growth rates, and it provides guidance to policymakers and program planners. It influences government policies on population, in part through the international peer pressure that arises from the document-drafting process. The document can be used to pressure donors to provide more funds for population-related activities, and it can be used by NGOs to hold governments accountable for necessary changes.
Some doubts remain, however, about the depth and breadth of the consensus.
The diversity of views and values that exists in virtually every society ensures that sexuality and childbearing will remain sensitive public policy issues. Governments and citizens will be challenged to meet the ambitious goals of the conference because it may require bringing about social and behavioral changes in the face of opposition or long-standing cultural traditions. At the same time, continued rapid population growth adversely affects the well-being of millions of people and requires continued attention from governments and citizens. This text may not be reproduced or reprinted in any form without the express written permission of the Population Reference Bureau. See our copyright policy .