G2H2 workshop on 20 May 2023
Introduction to five thematic tracks
and collection of preliminary input
For the civil society workshop (after closure of the public panel debate), we selected five particularly inspiring statements from the Preamble of the WHO Constitution as thematic tracks. We will invite participants to respond, for each of them, to the following guiding questions:
- Still relevant? How does this section of the preamble of the WHO Constitution resonate in you, today? What is its core and its continued value?
- What went wrong over the last 75 years (WHO, member states, other) so that the vision is not yet a reality?
- What is to be done and demanded from WHO and its member states to (finally, properly) advance this vision of the Preamble?
You are invited to do the same right now and to provide some preliminary input, to be taken up by the working groups.
Track 1: Health as a “state of complete well-being”?
Referring to: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (Preamble)
Issues addressed in this track
- Social determinants of health
- Fragmentation, biomedical concept of health
- Technical approach of the WHO vs. political realities
- Health for all people and health of the planet
Provide preliminary input
Google form here (civil society only)
Track 2: A fundamental right to health?
Referring to: “The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition.” (Preamble)
Issues addressed in this track
- Health and Human Rights
- Governments as duty-bearers, national and international obligations
- Organisation and mobilisation of people as claim holders
- Health justice, health equality, access to healthcare
Provide preliminary input
- Google form here (civil society only)
Track 3: Health, peace and cooperation?
Referring to: “The health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and States.” (Preamble)
Issues addressed in this track
- Health and peace, peace and health
- Health in conflicts
- Influence of geopolitics and conflicts on the normative work of WHO
Provide preliminary input
- Google form here (civil society only)
Track 4: Health security and pandemic prevention?
Referring to: “Unequal development in different countries in the promotion of health and control of disease, especially communicable disease, is a common danger.” (Preamble)
Issues addressed in this track
- Health security vs health systems and social determinants
- Lessons from Covid-19
- Systemic prevention of health emergencies, addressing root causes
Provide preliminary input
- Google form here (civil society only)
Track 5: Nothing about us without us?
Referring to: “Informed opinion and active co-operation on the part of the public are of the utmost importance in the improvement of the health of the people”. (Preamble)
Issues addressed in this track
- Communities as core of Primary Health Care
- Civic space and social accountability and participation in countries
- Civic space and participation at WHO
- Gender, representation, diversity
- Safeguarding WHO from private sector interests
Provide preliminary input
- Google form here (civil society only)
