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Population and Sustainability Network
Population and Sustainability Network (PSN) is a UK-based international network and a UN-registered Partnership, founded in 2003 by the Margaret Pyke Trust, a UK Registered Charity (No.1064672), within which PSN operates. PSN brings together development, environment and reproductive health organisations, government departments and policy research organisations to clarify and increase awareness of the importance for sustainable development of both population and consumption factors.

Mission and aims
PSN’s mission is:

To increase the prominence of population dynamics within the agendas of governments, policy research bodies and NGOs (development and environment) in order to increase support for and investment in voluntary family planning and reproductive health services that respect and protect rights as part of existing development priorities, including maternal health (MDG 5) and the protection of the environment (MDG 7), and emerging priorities, such as climate change and fragile states.

PSN aims:


 * To highlight the impacts of unsustainable population increase on economic development, poverty alleviation and the natural environment, work to remove barriers that inhibit discussion and action on population matters and promote greater awareness of the importance of population planning among policy makers, media and the general public.


 * To promote the adequate provision of reproductive healthcare facilities and education for the 215 million women and their partners in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy but do not have access to modern contraceptives, usually because of non-availability of family planning services.


 * To encourage better understanding of the problems caused by unsustainable consumption (particularly in the rich minority world) - especially as they relate to climate change, pressure on finite resources and biodiversity.

Founding of the Network
The Population & Sustainability Network developed out of the preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002in Johannesburg of the UK Committee of the United Nations Environment and Development Programme (UNEP). Following on from the World Summit, the Network was set up by Catherine Budgett-Meakin, with Toby Aykroyd and the support of the PSN steering group, to promote discussion and collaboration on population and consumption issues. PSN was formally launched as a UN-registered Partnership at the Commission for Sustainable Development at the UN in New York in April 2004.  

Co-ordination of the Network
PSN is coordinated from a London office, with member organisations based in the UK and overseas, with diverse specialisms but shared interests and concerns. PSN’s Network Coordinator is Karen Newman, who previously worked at IPPF The staff team is supported by the PSN Board and an Advisory Group comprising distinguished professionals spanning sectors key to the Network's focus areas.