Global Health Conference - together we can make it happen

The European Commission’s first global health conference provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comment on the recently agreed Communication and the views of EU member states.

For some time the EU has established practical partnerships with countries beyond its borders on research of diseases and other health projects, but now a range of potential approaches are being brought together strategically. Information about the process and conference is available here.

While a relatively united set of Conclusions have been agreed by ministers, there are diverse views on what should be priorities: Euro MPs have just passed a resolution urging priorities on development funding and addressing the Millennium Development Goals by a relatively narrow majority, for example.

At the event there was some criticism of the focus on MDGs leading up to the UN review conference in September, with a feeling that work on other social, economic and health determinants is being deflected. Some NGOs suggested the MDGs were inappropriate and would not be achieved without conflicting diversion of resources and attention to key rights; others have noted with concern that health is not featuring sufficiently in initial plans for the next EU research programme.

In addition to a short speech by EU Health Commissioner John Dalli drawing attention to the opportunities of the current EU 7th Framework Research Programme there were stirring speeches from the WHO Secretary General Dr Margaret Chan promoting the WHO Global Strategy and in particular from the African Union Social Affairs Commissioner Dr Bience Gawanas, who explained passionately why she had chosen to miss the opening game of the first football World Cup held in Africa to speak at the event. Sadly the importance of the event for Europeans was not underlined by the absence of the anticipated participation by the EU Commissioners for Development and Research or some of the event organisation, but EuroHealthNet and many others will now work on practical contributions to the action plans.

For further information contact Clive Needle via c.needle@eurohealthnet.eu

The Equity Channel briefing paper on the EC's Communication on Global Health is available here.