The IHEU considers that continued expansion of the world's population will lead to famine, to destruction of the environment on an unimaginable scale and eventually to war. We support all programmes designed to reduce the rate of population growth, while asserting the need for retaining personal freedom of choice, human dignity and responsibility.To this end we favour complete sex education, the universal availability of birth control and family planning requisites including access to voluntary sterilisation, and the removal of all legal obstacles to abortion on request.We condemn those who for doctrinal reasons oppose such measures generally, and consider that the Roman Catholic Church in particular has a grave responsibility in this matter. We call upon the member of the church to change its position for the sake of the future of the whole of mankind.

Board of Directors 1972