WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTI
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR
THE WESTERN PACIFIC
BUIlEAU Il~GIONAL DU PACIFIQUE OCCIDENTAL
REGIONAL COMMITTEE Twenty-third Session Guam 27 September - 5 October 1972
TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS WPR/RC23/TD4 30 June 1972 ORIGINAL: PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES FOR THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS ENGLISH
The topic for the Technical Discussions held in connexion with the twenty-third session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific is: "Environmental Pollution Problems and Approach to their Control in the Western Pacific Region". Two working papers have been prepared (see documents WPR/RC23/TDI and WPR/RC23/TD2). 1. 1.1 PROCEDURES
Suggested preparation for those who will join the Technical Discussions
At the first group discussion meeting following the first plenary session on 29 September 1972, participants may wish to exchange information on the environmental pollution situation obtaining in their respective countries/territories, giving particular attention to the problems and needs facing them. The participants will also be asked to present two or three items of relevance to the Technical Discussions subject which can be considered for discussion (see document WPR/RC23/TD5, section 3). 1.2 Leadership for the Technical Discussions
According to resolution WPR/RCll.Rll adopted by the Regional Committee at its eleventh session, the Chairman of the Technical Discussions is selected by the Regional Director in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee. /The Chairman •••
WPR/RC23/TD4 page 2 The Chairman of the Technical Discussions will chair the plenary sessions of the discussions. Rapporteurs for the p1enaty sessions and chairmen and rapporteurs of discussion groups will be selected and briefed by him in consultation with the Secretariat. 1.3 Pattern
The procedural pattern for the Technical Discussions this year will include plenary sessions and discussion groups. A programme giving details of the sessions planned is contained in document WPR/RC23/TD3. The plenary sessions will be held in the Conference Room. The room assignments for the group discussions will be announced at the first plenary session of the Technical Discussions. 1.4 Reports and presentation
At the conclusion of each period of discussion in plenary and group meetings, the rapporteurs will submit a brief written summary of the deliberations to the Secretary of the Technical Discussions. This summary may include any recommendations that participants would like to have considered during the final session of the Technical Discussions. 2. 2.1 Open discussions TECHNIQUES
In order to make full use of the experience and collective wisdom available, a free exchange of ideas and information is encouraged. 2.2 Group discussions
In an effort to facilitate the exchange of ideas a~d information and to encourage an informal atmosphere, representatives will be divided into three discussion groups, namely, two English-speaking and one French/ English group. The latter group will have interpretation facilities. As far as possible, each discussion group will be of the same size and representatives from the same country or territory will be placed in different groups. 2.3 Co-ordination committee
In the interest of efficiency and co-ordination, the Chairman of the Technical Discussions will organize a co-ordination committee. This committee will consist of the Chairman, the rapporteurs of the plenary sessions, chairmen and rapporteurs of the discussion groups and members of the Secretariat. /2.4 Language
WPR/RC23/TD4 page 3 2.4 Language
The working languages of the Technical Discussions are the same as those of the Regional Committee, i.e., English and French. 2.5 Evaluation
A part of the last plenary session will be devoted to the evaluation of the Technical Discussions. The purpose of this evaluation will be to assess the usefulness of the discussions to those participating and the effectiveness of the techniques used. Those helping to evaluate the discussions will be requested to give suggestions for improving them in the future. 2.6 Recording and final report
The proceedings of both general sessions, including a summary of the group discussion reports, will be prepared as the final report of the Technical Discussions. The report will be presented by the Chairman of the Technical Discussions to the Regional Committee. The final text will be issued as document WPR/RC23/TD7.