Health Promotion International, Vol. 29 No. S1 doi:10.1093/heapro/dau038
# World Health Organization 2013. Reprinted with permission of the publisher.
CLOSING ADDRESS
Excellencies, honourable ministers, colleagues in public health, ladies and gentlemen, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said it plainly in her opening speech: this meeting was a test. Would we have just another talk-shop, or are we ready to create something more? To me, the continuum of this 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion goes well beyond the seven previous global conferences on health promotion. It has its roots in Alma Ata, and in the values expressed so directly there: † † † †
primary health care, the right to health, equity, community participation.
This foundation was further strengthened in recent years by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, the UN Political Declaration on noncommunicable diseases and the 2012 Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development ‘The future we want’. Of course, we have benefited this week from useful examples of country experience, across sectors, and a wide range of knowledge and expertise. This is valuable, but in itself, is nothing new. We have heard many references to the North Karelia project throughout the week. It is a shining example.
Our challenge is how to take that to other parts of the country, and the world. Because, in all countries, even in Finland, the goal we have not achieved is to close the equity gap. It exists everywhere, and it will not go away on its own. Let us not fool ourselves: it is not an easy task. Combatting the rising tide of chronic noncommunicable diseases and the ongoing effects of the financial crisis is not for those with low energy and enthusiasm. This will be a long, difficult road, with its share of bumps and potholes. Despite all our knowledge and technology, problems such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure continue to put a heavy burden on families and communities all over the world. To these challenges we add, in a category of its own, the scourge of tobacco. Not to mention the costs to governments of operating health systems trying to cope with growing demands for treatment and curative services. If we are to make prevention the cornerstone of our response to root causes of health problems today, more effective collaboration is needed. But we do not need to re-invent the wheel. Rather, let us adapt what works to our needs, the needs of the people, and apply this in a more systematic way. In that regard, this week’s 55 parallel sessions give us some clear ideas about what can work,
i12
Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
Closing address by Dr Oleg Chestnov, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization
Closing address
† governments have a range of priorities, † health and equity are not automatically at the top of the list. Our call to governments, therefore, is to ensure that health considerations are transparently taken into account in policy-making. We believe this has the power to open up opportunities for co-benefits across sectors and society at large. Of course, each country, each region has its own context.
This week, Finland has shown its leadership, embodied from the very opening moment by the President being here to open the conference personally. This kind of sustained political commitment is worth more than gold. I believe this 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion is a turning point, where we shift from theory and words to action. What we are seeing is the growth of a social movement. Today, we say: ‘We will not wait, we will drive change!’ Today, we start to see the true power of this approach to influence factors that go beyond but are ultimately linked to health: issues of poverty, water and sanitation, safety and security, sustainable economic and social development. Putting health in all policies is the way to improve people’s chances for a healthy life, while, at the same time, achieve policy objectives in other areas. We are already pulling together the framework for country action, based on evidence and sound policy, providing practical guidance for countries to use as they take the next steps to put health in all policies. This will be a key tool in the implementation package to make sure that we do not lose momentum we have built. In four years, it will be upon us to report on progress. We have indicators and targets for monitoring noncommunicable diseases. We are encouraged to hear Member States talking seriously about how they will keep this movement building. As we look forward to 2015 and beyond, to what we have achieved and learned through the Millennium Development Goals, and to where we have fallen short . . . What we see, in fact, is that the world needs health in all policies. Madame Director-General, on behalf of the World Health Organization, I would like to thank you, and Finland, for your generous support and hospitality. There is no doubt that we made the right choice for the location of this conference. Finland has exceeded expectations. I thank and congratulate all participants. Your dedication, knowledge and experience is inspiring.
Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
and offer more tools and instruments at our disposal. What is clear is that we cannot do it alone. Call it multi-sector, inter-sectoral, multistakeholder, inclusive, whatever. It requires that governments work across ministries and programmes, indeed, with each other in the Cabinet, in a coordinated, collaborative way. It means that across the United Nations and the crowded global public health arena, we join forces with partners, and leverage our strengths to bring others on board. Civil society and community participation are not only an asset, they are essential: none of this works without listening to the voice of the people. The private sector can also play a role. Here we should be clear. The World Health Organization will never be on speaking terms with the tobacco industry. With some in the private sector, we will engage in dialogue, but we will not work together. At the same time, we do not exclude cooperation with other industries that have a role to play in reducing the risks for NCDs. Transparency is critical: transparency of dialogue and of activity. Only when we put the issues on the table, discuss and debate them, can we be sure of our decisions and move forward. On the health-sector side, we need to examine how we approach and engage other sectors. We may need to change our tactic, re-think our arguments, sharpen our skills: evidence and technical know-how are the solid base, but they are not enough on their own. What it comes down to is this:
i13
i14
Closing address
In a moment we will say a special thanks to the conference organizers for such a well-organized and productive conference. So my answer to Dr Chan when I return to Geneva, and to WHO Member States and our many partners in public health, is that we have
passed this test—that we know what to do, how to do it and that, in fact, health in all policies is happening. Now to action. I wish you all safe travels home. Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
# World Health Organization 2013. Reprinted with permission of the publisher.
CLOSING ADDRESS
Excellencies, honourable ministers, colleagues in public health, ladies and gentlemen, World Health Organization Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said it plainly in her opening speech: this meeting was a test. Would we have just another talk-shop, or are we ready to create something more? To me, the continuum of this 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion goes well beyond the seven previous global conferences on health promotion. It has its roots in Alma Ata, and in the values expressed so directly there: † † † †
primary health care, the right to health, equity, community participation.
This foundation was further strengthened in recent years by the Commission on Social Determinants of Health, the UN Political Declaration on noncommunicable diseases and the 2012 Rio Declaration on Sustainable Development ‘The future we want’. Of course, we have benefited this week from useful examples of country experience, across sectors, and a wide range of knowledge and expertise. This is valuable, but in itself, is nothing new. We have heard many references to the North Karelia project throughout the week. It is a shining example.
Our challenge is how to take that to other parts of the country, and the world. Because, in all countries, even in Finland, the goal we have not achieved is to close the equity gap. It exists everywhere, and it will not go away on its own. Let us not fool ourselves: it is not an easy task. Combatting the rising tide of chronic noncommunicable diseases and the ongoing effects of the financial crisis is not for those with low energy and enthusiasm. This will be a long, difficult road, with its share of bumps and potholes. Despite all our knowledge and technology, problems such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure continue to put a heavy burden on families and communities all over the world. To these challenges we add, in a category of its own, the scourge of tobacco. Not to mention the costs to governments of operating health systems trying to cope with growing demands for treatment and curative services. If we are to make prevention the cornerstone of our response to root causes of health problems today, more effective collaboration is needed. But we do not need to re-invent the wheel. Rather, let us adapt what works to our needs, the needs of the people, and apply this in a more systematic way. In that regard, this week’s 55 parallel sessions give us some clear ideas about what can work,
i12
Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
Closing address by Dr Oleg Chestnov, Assistant Director-General, Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization
Closing address
† governments have a range of priorities, † health and equity are not automatically at the top of the list. Our call to governments, therefore, is to ensure that health considerations are transparently taken into account in policy-making. We believe this has the power to open up opportunities for co-benefits across sectors and society at large. Of course, each country, each region has its own context.
This week, Finland has shown its leadership, embodied from the very opening moment by the President being here to open the conference personally. This kind of sustained political commitment is worth more than gold. I believe this 8th Global Conference on Health Promotion is a turning point, where we shift from theory and words to action. What we are seeing is the growth of a social movement. Today, we say: ‘We will not wait, we will drive change!’ Today, we start to see the true power of this approach to influence factors that go beyond but are ultimately linked to health: issues of poverty, water and sanitation, safety and security, sustainable economic and social development. Putting health in all policies is the way to improve people’s chances for a healthy life, while, at the same time, achieve policy objectives in other areas. We are already pulling together the framework for country action, based on evidence and sound policy, providing practical guidance for countries to use as they take the next steps to put health in all policies. This will be a key tool in the implementation package to make sure that we do not lose momentum we have built. In four years, it will be upon us to report on progress. We have indicators and targets for monitoring noncommunicable diseases. We are encouraged to hear Member States talking seriously about how they will keep this movement building. As we look forward to 2015 and beyond, to what we have achieved and learned through the Millennium Development Goals, and to where we have fallen short . . . What we see, in fact, is that the world needs health in all policies. Madame Director-General, on behalf of the World Health Organization, I would like to thank you, and Finland, for your generous support and hospitality. There is no doubt that we made the right choice for the location of this conference. Finland has exceeded expectations. I thank and congratulate all participants. Your dedication, knowledge and experience is inspiring.
Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
and offer more tools and instruments at our disposal. What is clear is that we cannot do it alone. Call it multi-sector, inter-sectoral, multistakeholder, inclusive, whatever. It requires that governments work across ministries and programmes, indeed, with each other in the Cabinet, in a coordinated, collaborative way. It means that across the United Nations and the crowded global public health arena, we join forces with partners, and leverage our strengths to bring others on board. Civil society and community participation are not only an asset, they are essential: none of this works without listening to the voice of the people. The private sector can also play a role. Here we should be clear. The World Health Organization will never be on speaking terms with the tobacco industry. With some in the private sector, we will engage in dialogue, but we will not work together. At the same time, we do not exclude cooperation with other industries that have a role to play in reducing the risks for NCDs. Transparency is critical: transparency of dialogue and of activity. Only when we put the issues on the table, discuss and debate them, can we be sure of our decisions and move forward. On the health-sector side, we need to examine how we approach and engage other sectors. We may need to change our tactic, re-think our arguments, sharpen our skills: evidence and technical know-how are the solid base, but they are not enough on their own. What it comes down to is this:
i13
i14
Closing address
In a moment we will say a special thanks to the conference organizers for such a well-organized and productive conference. So my answer to Dr Chan when I return to Geneva, and to WHO Member States and our many partners in public health, is that we have
passed this test—that we know what to do, how to do it and that, in fact, health in all policies is happening. Now to action. I wish you all safe travels home. Downloaded from http://heapro.oxfordjournals.org/ at Institute of social and preventive medicine, University of Berne on September 13, 2014
