WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE BOARD 109th Session Agenda item 7.2 EB109/29 17 January 2002
Collaboration with nongovernmental organizations Report of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations
1. In accordance with the Principles governing relations between the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations,1 the Standing Committee2 met on 15 January 2002 under the chairmanship of Dr B. Sadrizadeh to consider the documents prepared by agenda item 7.2 “Reports of the Executive Board Committees – Nongovernmental organizations”. Dr Sadrizadeh had been elected Chairman at a meeting of the Committee on 23 May 2001, held in view of the election of a new Chairman of the Board at its 108th session and departure of the Standing Committee’s Chairman, and as a result of decision EB107(2)3 which, inter alia, “… authorized the Chairman of the Executive Board, acting jointly with the Chairman of the Standing Committee, to admit provisionally nongovernmental organizations into official relations”. A report on the discussions and recommendations of the Standing Committee follows. The Board is invited to decide on the draft resolution and draft decision set out in Section IV below.
I.
APPLICATIONS OF ADMISSION INTO EB109/NGO/1-5)
NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR OFFICIAL RELATIONS (Restricted documents
2. The Committee examined applications from the International Non Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco (INGCAT) (document EB109/NGO/1), Infact (document EB109/NGO/2), Family Health International (document EB109/NGO/3), International Union of Psychological Science (document EB109/NGO/4) and HelpAge International (document EB109/NGO/5). The applications were transmitted to members of the Board under cover of a letter numbered L/01.21, dated 31 October 2001. In connection with the applications for INGCAT and Infact, the Committee noted that, in accordance with provisions of decision EB107(2), the organizations had been admitted provisionally into official relations with WHO and that, in accordance with the same decision, the Executive Board would review such organizations “… for the purpose of confirming or terminating such relations in accordance with normal procedures”. 1 2
Basic Documents, forty-third edition, 2000, pp. 77-82.
Members of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations: Dr Z. Alemu (Eritrea), Dr B. Sadrizadeh (Islamic Republic of Iran), Dr M. Di Gennaro (Italy), Professor Maung Maung Wint (alternate to Mr Ket Sein) (Myanmar), Dr L. López (alternate to Dr M. Urbaneja-Durant) (Venezuela). 3
Document EB107/2001/REC/1.
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3. With regard to the applications from INGCAT and Infact, the Committee noted their advocacy work in support of international efforts to establish a framework convention on tobacco control. It also noted the significance of their contributions to the success of that process. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board confirmation of the admission of the above-mentioned organizations into official relations. 4. Concerning the application from Family Health International, the extensive collaboration in activities relating to WHO’s research priorities in human reproduction as well as the identification and testing of evidence-based standards for good-quality reproductive health care were considered to be a valuable contribution to WHO’s work in this field. With regard to the application from the International Union of Psychological Science, the Committee noted the collaboration on two documents in the WHO series of Behavioural Science Learning Modules. As for the application from HelpAge International, the organization’s contribution to WHO’s work on understanding the impact of HIV/AIDS on older people in Africa, and to the problem of violence towards the elderly and other activities were noted. The Committee recognized the valuable support extended by the applicants to the implementation of WHO’s priorities. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that Family Health International, the International Union of Psychological Science and HelpAge International should be admitted into official relations with WHO.
II.
REVIEW OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO (Restricted document EB109/NGO/WP/1)
5. The Standing Committee reviewed collaboration with one-third of the nongovernmental organizations in official relations, and considered reports on the status of relations with the bodies referred to in decision EB107(1).1 Altogether 63 such organizations (as listed in the Annex) were reviewed. 6. The Committee reviewed reports of collaboration from 40 nongovernmental organizations, referred to in the Annex to document EB109/NGO/WP/1, for the most part concerning the period 1999-2001 except for those bodies referred to in the fourth paragraph of decision EB107(1) for which the period concerned was 1998-2000. The Committee noted that the organizations had primarily supported WHO’s work on mental and neurological disorders, occupational health, rehabilitation, nutrition, child and adolescent health, and reproductive and women’s health. The Committee expressed appreciation of the many and varied joint activities, which added value to the work of WHO, and noted that further collaboration was either planned or expected to continue. In view of this the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the abovementioned organizations should be maintained in official relations.
1
Document EB107/2001/REC/1.
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International Council on Social Welfare, International Ergonomics Association, International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions, International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Federation on Ageing, International Paediatric Association, International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Rehabilitation International, World Assembly of Youth, World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, World Federation of Neurology, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the World Organization of the Scout Movement. 7. In the absence of reports, the Committee was unable to review relations with the above-listed nongovernmental organizations. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the review of relations with the above-mentioned nongovernmental organizations should be deferred until its 111th session. 8. The Committee considered reports concerning the following nongovernmental organizations with whom relations had altered during the period under review.
International Council on Alcohol and Addictions 9. The Committee noted that, although the Council’s report referred to dissemination of information about WHO policies and mutual participation in each other’s meetings, there had been no joint collaboration during the period under review. Concerning collaboration in the future, and based on the information provided, it appeared that neither party had proposed or envisaged the development of a joint work plan which, according to the Principles, serves as the basis of a formal relationship. Notwithstanding the value of information exchanges, the Committee took the view that official relations were no longer appropriate. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that official relations be discontinued with the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions.
World Veterans Federation 10. The Committee remarked that the status of relations with the Federation was unusual. Based on the information provided it was apparent that there had been no collaboration during the period under review. This had been the case at its last review, but as a result of an agreement to pursue studies on “… the psychosocial effects of war-like conflicts” the Board had decided to maintain the Federation in official relations.1 The Federation’s report provided information about its priorities for the future and expressed appreciation of its relationship with WHO. 11. According to the information available, the focal point for the relations in WHO had changed several times. The Committee considered that this may have had an effect on the relations. It welcomed the expressions of continuing interest. A deferral of the review would enable a plan for collaboration to be drawn up.
1
Document EB103/1999/REC/1, decision EB103(2).
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In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the review of relations with the World Veterans Federation should be deferred until its 111th session.
III. FOLLOW-UP TO DECISION EB107(1)1 International Federation for Housing and Planning and International Traffic Medicine Association 12. In accordance with decision EB107(1), the above-mentioned nongovernmental organizations were maintained in official relations in order to permit, inter alia, the development of plans for collaboration. Document EB109/NGO/WP/1 contains summaries of the plans. The Committee noted with pleasure that the various activities during the coming years would serve to restore close and productive relations with WHO in the respective fields of urban health and prevention of accidents. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that WHO should maintain official relations with the above-mentioned organizations. 13. In accordance with decision EB107(1) the review of relations with the following nongovernmental organizations was deferred pending receipt of their report of collaboration.
International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements 14. The Committee noted that, according to the information available, no response had been received to invitations to present a report on collaboration. For its part WHO reported that there had been no direct contact with the Commission relating to joint collaboration during the period under review and did not expect to resume collaboration in the immediate future. However, the Commission participates in a joint IAEA/WHO quality-assurance programme for radiotherapeutic installations, although such participation did not depend on the Commission’s status with WHO. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that official relations be discontinued with the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements.
International Electrotechnical Commission 15. The Committee noted that, according to the information provided, there was no record of a response from the Commission to invitations to present a report on collaboration. Further, although the Commission, along with many other interested parties had been invited to and attended WHO meetings on the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields, it had become apparent that during the period under review collaboration had ceased and was not expected to resume in the immediate future. Notwithstanding the value of their participation in meetings, which in any case may continue, the Committee considered that the nature of the relations did not warrant official relations. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that official relations with the International Electrotechnical Commission should be discontinued.
1
Document EB107/2001/REC/1.
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International Federation of Health Records Organizations 16. The Committee recognized the lack of collaboration during the period under review but noted that that period had coincided with a major reorganization of the Federation. Moreover, during the past year, the two parties had agreed a work plan for the coming three years on training and accreditation for coders in the use of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems for mortality and morbidity applications. The Committee expressed the hope that, as a result of the reorganization, resources would become available to implement the plan. In view of the relevance of this type of activity to WHO’s efforts to seek evidence-based policies, the Committee favoured the maintenance of official relations. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the International Federation of Health Records Organizations be maintained in official relations.
International Medical Informatics Association 17. The Committee considered that there was insufficient information to review relations with the Association. It noted that invitations to present a report remain unanswered but that WHO was seeking to establish contact with the organization with a view, inter alia, to seeking a plan for collaboration. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the review of relations with the above-mentioned organization be deferred until the Board’s 111th session.
World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis) 18. The Committee noted that the Association had apparently not responded to invitations to present a report or to comment on a letter from WHO informing the Association that, according to WHO’s records, there had been no collaboration during the period 1998-2000 and none was planned for the immediate future. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that official relations should be discontinued with the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis).
IV.
PROPOSED DRAFT RESOLUTION AND DECISION
Draft resolution on relations with nongovernmental organizations The Executive Board, Having examined the report of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations,1 1. DECIDES to confirm the admission into official relations with WHO of the International Non Governmental Coalition Against Tobacco and Infact; 1
Document EB109/29.
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2. DECIDES to establish official relations with Family Health International, the International Union of Psychological Science and HelpAge International; 3. DECIDES to discontinue official relations with the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements, the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, the International Electrotechnical Commission and the World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis).
Draft decision on review of nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO The Executive Board, having considered the report1 of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations concerning the review of one-third of the nongovernmental organizations in official relations and follow-up to decision EB107(1), reached the following decisions concerning the relations with the organizations listed in the Annex to document EB109/29. On the basis of the reports of collaboration submitted by the 43 nongovernmental organizations asterisked in the Annex to document EB109/29, the Board commended their support, primarily to WHO’s work on mental and neurological disorders, occupational health, rehabilitation, nutrition, child and adolescent health, and reproductive and women’s health, and decided to maintain official relations with them. In the absence of reports, the Board decided to defer until its 111th session review of relations with the International Council on Social Welfare, International Ergonomics Association, International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions, International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, International Federation on Ageing, International Pediatric Association, International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism, International Union for Health Promotion and Education, Rehabilitation International, World Assembly of Youth, World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation, World Federation of Neurology, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies and the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Concerning relations with the International Medical Informatics Association, in view of the insufficiency of information to enable a review and WHO’s interest in formulating a plan for collaboration, the Board decided to defer the review of relations for a further year, until its 111th session, pending a more detailed report on the status of relations and the results of efforts to draw up a joint work plan. Concerning relations with the World Veterans Federation, the Board decided, although it had not been possible to implement the plan for collaboration, in view of a continuing mutual interest in collaboration, to defer the review until its 111th session to enable the elaboration of a work plan. With regard to the review of relations with the International Federation of Health Records Associations,2 the Board regretted that there had been no collaboration during the period under review.
1
Document EB109/29. The name is asterisked in the Annex to document EB109/29.
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However, it noted with pleasure that a work plan had been agreed, which promised the resumption of mutually beneficial activities, and decided to maintain the Federation in official relations. Concerning relations with the International Traffic Medicine Association1 and the International Federation for Housing and Planning,1 the Board was gratified that efforts to revitalize relations had resulted in agreement for plans for collaboration and decided to maintain official relations.
1
The name is asterisked in the Annex to document EB109/29.
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ANNEX LIST OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AT ITS 109TH SESSION Alzheimer’s Disease International* Commonwealth Association for Mental Handicap and Developmental Disabilities* Inclusion International* Industry Council for Development* Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children* International Association for Adolescent Health* International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health* International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities* International Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health* International Association of Cancer Registries* International Bureau for Epilepsy* International Commission on Occupational Health* International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements International Confederation of Midwives* International Council for Control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders* International Council of Women* International Council on Alcohol and Addictions International Council on Social Welfare International Electrotechnical Commission International Epidemiological Association* International Ergonomics Association International Federation for Housing and Planning* International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering* International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’ Unions International Federation of Fertility Societies* International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics* International Federation of Health Records Organizations* International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies* International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International Federation on Ageing International Hospital Federation* International Lactation Consultant Association* International Medical Informatics Association International Occupational Hygiene Association* International Pediatric Association International Planned Parenthood Federation* International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics* On the basis of reports of joint collaboration for the period under review, the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations recommended the maintenance of official relations; other nongovernental organizations are the subject of specific decisions or resolution. *
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Annex
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International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development* International Society of Andrology* International Special Dietary Foods Industries* International Traffic Medicine Association* International Union for Health Promotion and Education International Women’s Health Coalition* Italian Association of Friends of Raoul Follereau* La Leche League International* Medical Women’s International Association* Rehabilitation International Save the Children Fund (UK) * Soroptimist International* The Population Council* World Assembly of Youth World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation World Association of the Major Metropolises (Metropolis) World Confederation for Physical Therapy* World Federation for Mental Health* World Federation of Neurology World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies World Federation of Occupational Therapists* World Federation of Societies of Anaesthesiologists* World Organization of the Scout Movement World Psychiatric Association* World Veterans Federation
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