Despite Veto Threat, Congress Votes to Repeal the Global Gag Rule!

On September 6, despite President Bush's veto threat, the Senate passed the FY 2008 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations bill (by a vote of 81-12) that includes significant provisions overturning destructive policies on family planning and HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the leadership and commitment of Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA), the Senate bill not only includes the identical measures in the House-passed foreign aid bill—exempting contraceptives from the Global Gag Rule and repealing the abstinence-only funding restrictions for HIV prevention programs—it goes even further by repealing the Gag Rule entirely.

Read more about this landmark Senate vote
Viewpoint: Congress Votes to Repeal Global Gag Rule

You're Invited: The Shape of Things to Come Panel Discussion in D.C.

PAI’s compelling new study, The Shape of Things to Come: Why Age Structure Matters to a Safer, More Equitable World, will be the focus of panel discussion hosted by the Environmental Change and Security Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. on October 2, 2007 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. The event will feature several distinguished panelists, including Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT) and Russ Carnahan (D-MO), who will discuss the importance of PAI’s report for policymakers and its relevance to U.S. development assistance objectives. Other panelists include William Butz, President of the Population Reference Bureau, and Ellen Laipson, President and CEO of the Henry L. Stimson Center. We invite you to join us and learn more about how age structure impacts political stability, improved governance, and economic development.

RSVP for the event today or watch the webcast on October 2nd!
Download The Shape of Things to Come and its FactSheet
Order a copy of The Shape of Things to Come

Abstaining from Reality Accepted into the 2007 Global Peace Film Festival!

PAI’s powerful documentary, Abstaining from Reality: U.S. Restrictions on HIV Prevention, continues to make an impact as it is selected for its second film festival! According to its website, "The Global Peace Film Festival was established to utilize the power of the motion picture to further the goal of peace on earth.” PAI is pleased that Abstaining from Reality will be a part of this exciting event, which will be held on September 26-30 in Orlando, FL!

Watch Abstaining from Reality on YouTube
Read more about the documentary
Order a copy
Support the effort to overturn these destructive policies by making a donation online.

PAI to Launch A Measure of Survival: Calculating Women's Sexual and Reproductive Risk in London

All women, regardless of where they live, must have access to the education, health services, and supplies they need to ensure their health and wellbeing. Tragically, this is not always the case as the need for reproductive health services is greatest among the poorest women and men residing in the world’s lowest income countries. PAI will unveil its latest report card ranking women’s reproductive health risk in 130 countries during two upcoming conferences in London: the Women Deliver Conference on Oct 18-20, 2007 and the Safe Abortion Conference on October 23-24. Learn your country’s “number” next month when A Measure of Survival: Calculating Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Risk makes its debut.

PAI Hires New Media Manager and a New Research Associate

PAI is excited to welcome Tyler Lepard to its communications team. She comes to PAI from RH Reality Check and has seven years of experience in progressive causes, focusing on sexual and reproductive health and social justice movements. Her background includes advocacy & outreach, new media strategies, grassroots organizing, and direct health services. Tyler aims to further develop PAI’s online presence with new media tools and strategies, and is excited to increase attention for PAI’s dynamic projects.

We are also thrilled to welcome Malea Hoepf Young, MPH, our newest Research Associate. She works on issues related to urbanization, population, the environment, and HIV/AIDS. Malea is a graduate of Kenyon College, holds a Master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has four years of professional experience in the field of global health. Prior to joining PAI, she worked for the Population Council, the International HIV Alliance in Hyderabad, India, and as a consultant for Population Services International.

Double your Gift – Get your Office Involved!

These days, many companies don’t feel it is enough to just make charitable donations through a corporate foundation or large grants; they also like to encourage their employees to make personal contributions to their favorite charities. One method is through matching gifts, where an employee chooses a non profit organization, makes a donation, and then asks their company to give a 1:1, 2:1 and sometimes even 3:1 match. That means you could potentially triple your gift!!

There are many ways to find out whether your office participates. Often it will be on the company website, but the easiest option is to simply contact your Human Resources office. Once you have identified whether your office participates, just obtain the necessary paperwork (provided by your Human Resources or Personnel office) and send it with your donation – we will take care of the rest!

As always, if you have any questions, feel free to call our Development department at 202-557-3400.