Over the past 20 years, organizations and networks among groups of countries have played an important role in global diplomacy. They are now increasingly important in establishing the context for policy on global issues including international financial stability and global health. Broadly speaking, these collectives can be identified as those supporting cooperation amongst industrialized countries, […]
Month: June 2009
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Global governance
Governance describes how societies structure policy responses to the challenges they face. Governance involves government, but the two terms are not synonymous because governance often occurs outside the formal state-based institutional and legal arrangements that characterize governments. Thus, within nation states, regional and local government, and civil society and business institutions are recognized as playing […]
In summary, a European approach to global health must reflect European values for the protection and improvement of health as: a human right, a key to human security and development and a focus for global governance. A human right and associated European health values of: solidarity universality access to quality care equity (with special regard […]
This first section of the European global health policy glossary is intended to provide a basis for developing a joint programme for action and research on European values for global health. Contributions, corrections, links and updates are all welcome. The action and research issues raised include: assessment of the determinants of global health and their […]
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Shaping the European approach
The European approach to global health has been shaped by three main developments: An increasing awareness of global responsibilities and obligations stimulated by global civil society (including radical social movements, different types of non-governmental organizations and religious groups). Health as a human right has been identified as one of the most important human rights and the importance […]
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European health values
European health values are the distinctive set of beliefs about health rights and obligations that reflect European history and identity. Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union states that the union is “founded on the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law, principles which are […]
European countries have played a leading role in promoting a gender-sensitive approach to health. Women’s health has substantial implications for economic development and growth. There is evidence, from various studies, that women’s well-being and literacy boosts economic growth and improves population health. Women are custodians of the health of family members and community, and play an […]
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Europe and human security
The European Commission and EU member states have undertaken a programme of work in the field of health security overseen by the Health Security Committee. The Commission supports collaboration with the Global Health Security Initiative, launched in 2001 by the G-7 group of nations, Mexico and the European Union. At the December 2008 meeting in Brussels […]
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Globalization, health and development
The relationship between globalization, health and development is complex. There are many positive and negative ways in which globalization affects health. The inverse is also true; a society that suffers from a high burden of disease is not in a position to participate effectively in the processes of globalization and will not, therefore, be able […]
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Europe’s role in global health governance
The European Union is a major force in the emergence of global governance. It contributes politically and economically to the processes of globalization that have demonstrated the need for, and reality of, global governance. And it offers a model and precedents for how state- and non-state actors can shape global governance processes and norms. The […]