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Health as a Bridge for Peace The WHO Perspective

This article discusses the importance of public health programs in promoting peace and conflict prevention. It explores how health programs can unintentionally contribute to conflict escalation and provides strategies to maximize peace-building efforts. The article also highlights the principles and strategies of the Health as a Bridge for Peace initiative.

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Health as a Bridge for Peace The WHO Perspective

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  1. Health as a Bridge for Peace The WHO Perspective McMaster-Lancet Challenge Conference Peace Through Health Learning from Action May 6-8th 2005 Dr Jóhanna Lárusdóttir Department Health Action in Crises, World Health Organization

  2. There is an increasing recognition world-wide that the health of populations will not be achieved without a more peaceful world.

  3. Public health professionals are often close to the root causes of conflict.

  4. Public Health Programmes can, if not designed carefully, support factors which are at the root of the conflict: • polarization • discrimination • manipulation of information (eg. selective communication) • centralization of power and authority • increasing isolation • rascism and violence (eg. stereotyping, lack of empathy)

  5. Health Programmes can contribute to conflict escalation and even contribute to conflict becoming violent rather than contribute to conflict prevention and peace building.

  6. The first programme entitled “Health as a Bridge for Peace ” was developed by the Ministers of Health of Central America during the 1980s with the support of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The programme was reportedly a significant force in reducing conflict in Central America.

  7. Health as a Bridge for Peace • Identify strategies and actions to maximize peace-building efforts of health programmes. • The WHO Task Force on Health in Development initiated a consultation on Health as a Bridge for Peace (HBP) which took place in Geneva in 1996. • Health as a Bridge for Peace Consultation, Annecy, 1997.

  8. Skills essential for health professionals in conflict situations Need to be result oriented and have: • the ability to monitor events and make continuous political analysis • conflict resolution skills • negotiation skills • mediation skills

  9. Tools essential for health professionals in conflict situations Responsiveness and Resources Knowledge and access to key instruments: • Public Health excellence • Ethics • International Human rights • Humanitarian Law • Codes of conduct

  10. How can health workers maximise the peace building of health programmes without compromising their independence, impartiality and neutrality? By working objectively towards health priorities • while modifying the methodologies to achieve these • while using methods that are sensitive to the local political context

  11. South East Asia - the Active Learning Package (ALP) piloted in 1999 for South East Asia; - since then numerous ALP workshops have been held (Sri Lanka, Indonesia/Malukus/ and Ache/ Yogyakarta); - HBP Sri Lanka - HBP Indonesia

  12. Health as a Bridge for Peace principles and strategies • Work on all sides openly and transparently • Action based on best available information • Work according to geographical boundaries (not political) • Work with "all" health authorities and professionals • Create a safe space for health (neutral environments) • Work with partners • Foster and empower responsibility for health and environment • Address human rights and ethics through health

  13. In Conclusion: Public health professionals have a role: • Public health professionals must address peace building through health in conflict situations, and • Agencies who work in these situations must ensure they are equipped to do so

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