WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE BOARD 103rd Session Agenda item 7 EB103/23 28 January 1999
Collaboration with nongovernmental organizations Report of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations 1. The Standing Committee1 met on 26 January 1999 under the Chairmanship of Dr G.M. van Etten to consider the documents prepared under agenda item 7, “Collaboration with nongovernmental organizations”. The Board is invited to take decisions on the recommendations set out in Section III below.
I.
APPLICATIONS OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR ADMISSION INTO OFFICIAL RELATIONS (restricted documents EB103/NGO/1-4)
2. In its examination of the four applications, which were sent to members of the Executive Board in circular letter L/98.17 of 19 November 1998, the Committee sought to ensure that the nongovernmental organizations concerned met the criteria for admission into official relations as set out in the Principles governing relations between the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations.2 On the basis of the information set out in the applications concerning the German Pharma Health Fund e.V. (document EB103/NGO/1), the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations (document EB103/NGO/2), and the International Society of Andrology (document EB103/NGO/3), and supplementary information from the Secretariat, in particular that, in accordance with paragraph 3.5 of the Principles concerning national nongovernmental organizations, both the Government of Germany and the Regional Director for Europe were consulted and agreed to submission of the application from the German Pharma Health Fund, the Committee was satisfied that those organizations met the criteria. In so doing it was noted that the activities between those organizations and WHO served to pursue the objectives of WHO in the areas of control of parasitic and infectious diseases, and reproductive health. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Executive Board that the above-mentioned nongovernmental organizations should be admitted into official relations with WHO.
Members of the Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations are: Dr P. Dossou-Togbe (Benin), Dr J.K.M. Mulwa (Botswana), Dr J. Jimenez de la Jara (Chile), Dr C. Komodikis and Mrs I. Atteshli (alternates to Mr C. Solomis) (Cyprus), Dr G.M. van Etten (Netherlands). 2
1
Basic Documents, forty-first edition, 1996, pp. 74-79.
EB103/23
3. Concerning the application from the World Federation of Building Service Contractors (document EB103/NGO/4), the Committee noted that, as demonstrated by the study on indoor air pollution undertaken in collaboration with WHO, there was an area of mutual interest. However, on the basis of the information available, the Committee was of the view that the application was premature and that collaboration should be strengthened. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend that consideration of an application from the Federation should be deferred for two years and that joint activities should be strengthened.
II.
REVIEW OF NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO (restricted document EB103/NGO/WP/1)
4. In accordance with the Principles governing relations between the World Health Organization and nongovernmental organizations, the Standing Committee reviewed collaboration with one-third of the nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO, and considered reports on the status of relations with organizations which were the subject of decision EB101(15), in order to determine the desirability of maintaining them in official relations. In all, 68 organizations were reviewed (as listed in the Annex). 5. It was noted that the information in document EB103/NGO/WP/1 was based on reports of collaboration submitted by the organizations and supplemented by contributions from the technical officers responsible for collaboration and, where applicable, the WHO regional offices. The annex of the document contained a table listing 42 organizations and the type of activity undertaken with WHO during the period 1995 to 1998. The Committee noted that the reference to the International Epidemiological Association listed in the Annex should read International Ergonomics Association. 6. The Committee considered first the 42 organizations listed in the Annex, then reports on collaboration received after completion of the document from the International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies, International Pediatric Association, International Women’ s Health Coalition and International Union for Health Promotion and Education. The contributions of the organizations focused mainly on support of WHO’ s work relating to mental and neurological disorders, women’ s and adolescent health, reproductive health, nutrition and food security, rehabilitation and occupational health. In consideration of the information provided and based on their discussions, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the 42 nongovernmental organizations listed in the Annex to document EB103/NGO/WP/1, and the four organizations mentioned above, should be maintained in official relations with WHO. 7. The Committee then considered the status of relations with a further 12 organizations.
International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development 8. It was noted that although there had been no collaboration during the period under review, the opportunity presented by the review process had resulted in a mutual agreement to revive cooperation and a summary work plan had been presented. Consequently, there was reason to believe that the relations would become productive.
2
EB103/23
In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development should be maintained in official relations with WHO.
International Alliance of Women, International Federation of Business and Professional Women, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, World Federation of United Nations Associations 9. With regard to the organizations listed above, it was noted that although there had been no joint activities during the period under review, they had continued to advocate the work and policies of WHO. In addition, it appeared that there was an interest in reviving collaboration. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the abovementioned nongovernmental organizations should be maintained in official relations for a period of one year for each one to draw up a plan for collaboration with WHO. On the basis of the plans, their status is to be reconsidered by the Executive Board at its 105th session.
International Federation for Family Life Promotion and International Union of Family Organisations 10. It was noted that WHO had been informed that the International Federation for Family Life Promotion had ceased operating. 11. The Committee noted, inter alia, that although there had been no joint activities during the period under review with the International Union of Family Organisations, the Union had reiterated to the senior management of WHO its interest in developing activities related to WHO policies. In addition, it was clarified that at the time of its last review, the Board had noted that collaboration (for the period 1992 to 1994) had been limited, and had decided to maintain the Union in official relations for one year to permit the development of a work plan.1 On the basis of a joint work plan submitted to the Board at its ninety-seventh session (January 1996) the Union had been maintained in official relations.2 It was evident that there were good intentions to pursue collaboration; nonetheless, since 1992 the realization of joint activities, which was the basis of an official relationship, had been difficult. The Committee was informed that its decision would not preclude efforts to pursue collaboration which could eventually lead to a reconsideration of relations with the Union. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that official relations should be discontinued with the International Federation for Family Life Promotion and the International Union of Family Organisations.
1 2
Decision EB95(13). Decision EB97(15).
3
EB103/23
Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, International Association for Suicide Prevention, International League against Epilepsy, International Union of Nutritional Sciences, World Federation of the Deaf 12. The Committee noted that in the absence of reports on collaboration from the above-mentioned organizations it was not possible to review relations. In the light of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that, pending receipt of their reports, the review of relations with the above-mentioned organizations should be deferred until the 105th session of the Executive Board.
Follow-up to decision EB101(15) International Society of Hematology (ISH), International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (IFPMR), World Federation of Parasitologists (WFP) and the World Veterans Federation (WVF) 13. The Committee noted that, as requested in paragraphs 2 and 4 of decision EB101(15), plans for collaboration had been agreed with the above-mentioned organizations. The main activities agreed to in the work plans were studies on the clinical utility of laboratory reports provided by blood cell counters and film examination (ISH); joint workshops to facilitate training of physicians from developing countries in rehabilitation, physical medicine, and human parasitology (IFPMR and WFP); and studies, inter alia, on the psychosocial effects of war-like conflicts (WVF). The Committee noted that these activities would support the work of WHO in diverse fields and had the potential to revitalize relations. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the abovementioned organizations should be maintained in official relations with WHO. 14. The Committee then considered information provided in accordance with paragraph 3 of decision EB101(15) by which the review of relations with a number of organizations was deferred pending receipt of their activity reports.
Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences (NCOEIHS), World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) and International College of Surgeons (ICS) 15. The Committee reviewed reports from NCOEIHS and WONCA which described a number of activities demonstrating their continued commitment to working with WHO to introduce changes in medical practice. Collaboration with ICS had declined, but steps had been taken to rectify the situation and a joint work plan had been agreed to comprising training in speciality fields, through scholarships for surgeons identified by WHO, surgical workshops, etc. It was also noted that WHO expected to strengthen its work in clinical technology in the coming years and would call upon the College to further enhance its collaboration. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend to the Board that the abovementioned organizations should be maintained in official relations with WHO.
4
EB103/23
International Medical Society of Paraplegia 16. The Committee noted that the only joint activity in the period under review had been a biennial conference, cosponsored by WHO, and that WHO maintained an interest in working with the Society. In this connection, the Committee was informed that preparation of a joint work plan would be discussed at a forthcoming meeting. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend that the International Medical Society of Paraplegia should be maintained in official relations for a period of one year to enable preparation of a joint work plan. On the basis of the plan, the status of the Society is to be reconsidered by the Executive Board at its 105th session.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 17. The Committee was informed that the Federation had special status in international law and is invited to participate in the work of the United Nations General Assembly as an observer. It was also noted that the Federation’ s request that it should be invited to attend the Health Assembly as an observer had been accepted. Subsequently, the Federation had expressed the wish to discontinue official relations as a nongovernmental organization. Notwithstanding, it was noted that the Federation continued to be invited to participate in the work of WHO in fields of mutual interest, and that the request was similar to that of the International Committee of the Red Cross which had been accepted by the Board at its 101st session.1 In noting the special status of the Federation in international law and that its request to be invited to attend the Health Assembly as an observer had been accepted, the Committee decided to recommend that the Board should accept the Federation’ s request to discontinue official relations.
International Academy of Legal Medicine 18. The Committee noted that during the period under review there had been no collaboration and that the Academy’ s recent activities, for example, concerning the way medico-legal autopsies were performed, did not fall within WHO’ s current priorities. The Committee inquired as to whether other aspects of health legislation and ethics such as those linked with advances in genetics were the subject of cooperation with nongovernmental organizations. It was advised that working relationships in health legislation were maintained with other organizations in line with WHO’ s current priorities. In view of the above, the Committee decided to recommend that official relations should be discontinued with the International Academy of Legal Medicine.
1
Resolution EB101.R21.
5
EB103/23
III. PROPOSED DRAFT RESOLUTION AND DECISION Draft resolution The Executive Board, Having examined the report of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations, 1. DECIDES to establish official relations with the following nongovernmental organizations: German Pharma Health Fund e.V. International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations International Society of Andrology; 2. DECIDES to defer for two years consideration of an application from the World Federation of Building Service Contractors and, in the meantime, to strengthen joint activities; 3. RECORDS that the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, which, at its request, is invited to attend the Health Assembly as an observer, is no longer in official relations with WHO as a nongovernmental organization; 4.. DECIDES to discontinue official relations as a nongovernmental organization with the International Federation for Family Life Promotion, the International Union of Family Organisations, and the International Academy of Legal Medicine.
Draft decision on review of nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO The Executive Board, having considered the review of its Standing Committee on Nongovernmental Organizations of one-third of the nongovernmental organizations in official relations with WHO, and following up decision EB101(15), reached the decisions set out below. Noting the determination of 46 of the nongovernmental organizations to maintain collaboration with WHO during the period under review, which had resulted in activities serving to further WHO’ s work in the following areas: improving the lives of people and their families coping with the adversities of mental and neurological disorders as well as physical disabilities; exploring such issues as female genital mutilation and research on contraceptive methods relating to reproductive health, including safe motherhood; collaborating with youth organizations in order to learn the elements of a safe and supporting environment for the optimum development of young people; coordinating efforts to achieve the goal of iodine deficiency elimination; supporting breastfeeding training, the preparation of educational materials, and the creation of training opportunities for scientists and nutrition workers in developing countries so as to improve food safety; and drawing up international guidelines on good practices in health and environment management in industry and other workplaces, decided to maintain official relations with those organizations. Concerning the International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development, it was noted with regret that collaboration had ceased but that a mutual interest in cooperation had resulted in the presentation of a joint work plan. The Board noted the intention to revitalize relations and maintained official relations with the Society.
6
EB103/23
Concerning the International Alliance of Women, International Federation of Business and Professional Women, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and World Federation of United Nations Associations, the Board noted that although there had been no joint activities there was an interest in exploring opportunities to revitalize the relations, and decided to maintain official relations with those organizations for a period of one year to permit preparation of plans for collaboration. In the absence of reports on collaboration from the Collegium Internationale NeuroPsychopharmacologicum, International Association for Suicide Prevention, International League against Epilepsy, International Union of Nutritional Sciences, and World Federation of the Deaf, the Board decided to defer the review of collaboration until its 105th session. Following up decision EB101(15), the Board noted that joint work plans had been agreed on with the International Society of Hematology, International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, World Federation of Parasitologists, and World Veterans Federation, which showed every prospect of ensuring productive relations during the coming years and decided, therefore, to maintain official relations with those organizations. On the basis of reports on joint activities presented by the Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences, and the World Organization of Family Doctors, the Board decided that the collaboration warranted maintenance of official relations with those organizations. Concerning the International College of Surgeons, it was noted that although collaboration had declined during the period under review, the opportunity of the review had resulted in agreement on a work plan with WHO. The Board noted the intention to revitalize relations and decided to maintain official relations with the College. Concerning the International Medical Society of Paraplegia, the Board noted with regret that joint activities had declined, but that there remained an interest in revitalizing relations. The Board, therefore, decided to maintain official relations with the Society for a period of one year to permit preparation of a joint work plan.
7
EB103/23
ANNEX NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN OFFICIAL RELATIONS WITH WHO REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AT ITS 103rd SESSION
Alzheimer’ s Disease International* Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum 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 Academy of Legal Medicine International Alliance of Women International Association for Adolescent Health* International Association for Maternal and Neonatal Health* International Association for Suicide Prevention International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities* International Association of Agricultural Medicine and Rural Health* International Bureau for Epilepsy* International College of Surgeons International Commission on Occupational Health* 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 Ergonomics Association* International Federation for Family Life Promotion International Federation of Business and Professional Women International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers’Unions* International Federation of Fertility Societies* International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics* International Federation of Multiple Sclerosis Societies* International Federation of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies International Federation on Ageing* International Lactation Consultant Association* International League against Epilepsy International Medical Society of Paraplegia International Occupational Hygiene Association* International Pediatric Association* International Planned Parenthood Federation* International Society for Biomedical Research on Alcoholism* International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics* International Society for the Study of Behavioural Development International Society of Hematology * Standing Committee proposed maintaining official relations; other organizations subject of specific decisions.
8
Annex
EB103/23
International Special Dietary Foods Industries* International Union for Health Promotion and Education* International Union of Family Organisations International Union of Nutritional Sciences International Women’ s Health Coalition* La Leche League International* Medical Women’ s International Association* Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences Rehabilitation International* Soroptimist International* The Population Council* World Assembly of Youth* World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation* World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Confederation for Physical Therapy* World Federation for Mental Health* World Federation of Chiropractic* World Federation of Neurology* World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies* World Federation of Occupational Therapists* World Federation of Parasitologists World Federation of the Deaf World Federation of United Nations Associations World Organization of Family Doctors World Organization of the Scout Movement* World Psychiatric Association* World Veterans Federation
=
=
=
* Standing Committee proposed maintaining official relations; other organizations subject of specific decisions.
9