Reproductive health experts and advocates from around the world are in Dakar, Senegal to discuss and share ideas about family planning and discuss ways to push for more people to use contraceptives. The five-day International Conference on Family Planning which is underway will discuss research, new contraceptive methods, as well as youth sexual and reproductive support. JOYnews Dzifa Bampoh is in Dakar and reports that over 2,000 delegates are attending the International Conference on Family Planning, making it the largest ever gathering of its kind discussing family planning issues. Prof. Micheal Klag, Dean of the John Hopkins School of Public Health, in his address at the opening ceremony said family planning use is one of the key measures needed for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. “Economic growth prospects are accelerated in a country when it is able to provide healthcare and education to children and their mothers ... these countries can plough back on those investments, when children are spaced families build their own economic savings and nations are able to invest in other capital forming activities and expand their market economies. It is now up to all of us to be sure that all couples have equal access to family planning science.” Some participants expressed optimism that they would be able to share ideas and learn from other countries’ experience. One participant, 25-year-old Primrose Manyalo from Zimbabwe who is interested in reproductive health and contraception for the youth, said she’s excited at participating in the conference. But a participant from Nigeria Bola Kusemiju observed, “What we hope is it’s not going to be talk, talk, talk. There should be some tangible action points for conference participants…” Addressing the opening session of the International Conference on Family Planning, executive director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin stressed the need for family planning strategies targeted especially for young people to improve the quality of life in the future. On Wednesday - day 2 of the family planning conference - there will be a session on Ghana’s experience with contraception and abortion. Other sessions will analyse contraceptive access and use in West Africa, the role of religious organisations in promoting Family Planning, as well as contraception and reproductive health for sexually active youth.