Meeting of the WHO European Action Network on reducing marketing pressure on children
WHO
The 12th Meeting of the WHO European Action Network on Reducing Marketing Pressure on Children took place in Dublin, Ireland, on the 10–11 May 2017. The Department of Health Ireland hosted the meeting, in close collaboration with the Directorate-General of Health, Portugal and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.
The meeting was opened by Ursula O’Dwyer from the Department of Health Ireland, followed by João Breda from the Regional Office, both acknowledging the importance and the positive work of the Network as well as the high level of participation.
Participants included representatives from 16 countries (Albania, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom), the European Commission, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Nutrition and Childhood Obesity - National Institute of Health Dr Ricardo Jorge, and the Regional Office, as well as various observers, temporary advisers and invited speakers.
The meeting participants exchanged information on recent experiences with regulatory or voluntary approaches to reducing marketing pressure on children. The meeting also addressed the particularly challenging areas of inappropriate promotion of foods for babies, infants and young children, as well as digital marketing (including advergames).
About the Action Network
The establishment of the WHO European Action Network on Reducing Marketing Pressure on Children in 2008 reflected the joint interest of several countries in the WHO European Region to take action on this issue. The Network was established in close collaboration with the Regional Office, and has been chaired by Portugal since 2016. The Network facilitates cooperation and aims at protecting children’s health by sharing experiences and best practices in order to identify and implement specific actions that will substantially reduce the extent and impact of marketing high-salt, energy-dense, micronutrient-poor foods and beverages on children.
