Strengthening partnerships with non-State actors to achieve the European Programme of Work – “United Action for Better Health in Europe”
More than 90 non-State actors (NSAs) joined a briefing highlighting the WHO Regional Committee for Europe’s agenda, and recommending ways to engage and showcase their work undertaken in collaboration with WHO/Europe.
Opening the session, Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, affirmed WHO/Europe’s commitment to strengthening its partnerships across the Region and globally, including with NSAs. As this has become increasingly relevant due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Kluge highlighted the importance of working together in solidarity to safeguard and care for the most vulnerable in our society.
The session provided an update ahead of this year’s 71st session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe (RC71), which will take place virtually from 13 to 17 September 2021. Regionally accredited NSAs and NSAs in official relations with WHO joined the session organized by WHO/Europe. Other NSAs were able to follow the session online through the public live stream link.
The COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and vaccine equity
During the session, the European Forum of Medical Associations commended WHO/Europe’s increased engagement with NSAs, especially in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they noted that the pandemic has impacted the mental health of the health workforce and patient carers, and that the Region needs to strengthen mental health services for all and ensure it is a key feature in planning for COVID-19 response and recovery activities.
Mental Health Europe welcomed WHO/Europe’s commitment to coordinated action at regional level for mental health through the establishment of the Mental Health Coalition. They proposed that mental health services should be introduced into new settings, including schools and workplaces, and that they should be delivered through community-based service providers, taking into account the voices of those with lived experience.
The European Public Health Alliance shared their current vaccine equity campaign and joined other NSAs in calling on the European Commission to implement a 12-point plan to ensure equitable allocation and prioritization of the COVID-19 vaccine and ensure vaccine equity across the European Union, in line with WHO/Europe’s Immunization Agenda 2030.
The NSA community
The following NSAs actively contributed during the plenary discussion or in the chat: the European Forum of Medical Associations, the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, the Worldwide Hospice Palliative Care Alliance, the European Cancer Organisation, the World Federation of Chiropractic, the World Confederation for Physical Therapy, the European Society of Cardiology, the European Stroke Organisation, the Thalassaemia International Federation, the World Federation of Hemophilia, the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations, EUROCAM, EuroHealthNet, Movendi International, the Union for International Cancer Control, FDI World Dental Federation, Public Services International, the International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists, the European Forum for Primary Care, Mental Health Europe, the European Association for Cancer Research, the European Public Health Association, the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, Alzheimer's Disease International, European Disability Forum, World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the European Alcohol Policy Alliance, the European Public Health Alliance and the European Forum of National Nursing and Midwifery Associations.
A report of the engagement session will be posted soon.
WHO/Europe is committed to growing the NSA community and getting more voices around the table to discuss health and well-being issues. If you have any questions related to NSA involvement in RC71 or want to find out more information about the regional NSA accreditation process, please contact europar@who.int.
