WORKING GROUP OF THE WHO CIVIL SOCIETY COMMISSION� PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE IN WHO CIVIL SOCIETY CONSULTATIONS

“The mission of the WHO Civil Society Commission is to strengthen dialogue,�foster collaboration and provide recommendations to support WHO �on its engagement with civil society at global, regional and national levels”

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WORKING GROUP OF THE WHO CIVIL SOCIETY COMMISSION� PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE IN WHO CIVIL SOCIETY CONSULTATIONS

“The mission of the WHO Civil Society Commission is to strengthen dialogue,�foster collaboration and provide recommendations to support WHO �on its engagement with civil society at global, regional and national levels”

WORKING GROUP OF THE WHO CIVIL SOCIETY COMMISSION� PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICE IN WHO CIVIL SOCIETY CONSULTATIONS

Pilot study, March-August 2024�How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

Three cases assessed

1. Civil society consultation related to the drafting of a WHA77 resolution on Social participation for universal health coverage, health and well-being
2. Informal interactions between Member States and the WHO Secretariat and civil society organizations related to the drafting of a WHA77 resolution on Climate Change and Health
3. Civil society consultations by the WHO Secretariat related to the drafting of the fourteenth WHO general programme of work, 2025–2028 to be adopted by WHA77

Selection of cases based on information accessible to the team (during our work, we learnt about interesting other ones)

WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

In the context of the WHA �...and recent developments

• The World Health Assembly and related drafting processes are governed �and led by member states, with some specific mandates for the WHO Secretariat and a limited common understanding and no established routine or even clear terms and modalities on how to involve civil society
• For the first time, there is more guidance and transparency �regarding the making of WHA resolutions�- Template and checklist published by Secretariat (AMSTG follow-up) �- List of informal intergovernmental negotiations published by the Secretariat�- Draft resolutions published ahead of the EB, as conference documents

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WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

Three cases, three different stories, but: �Similar objectives/expectations

• To provide/harvest relevant civil society expertise and input �in view of having a sound outcome (WHA77 document)
• To explore more timely and more meaningful engagement of civil society
• To gather experiences in view of future drafting processes�

...and similar challenges faced

• Time constraints and capacity issues
• No established procedure for interaction, ad hoc process
• Inclusiveness: Broad outreach vs. tapping expert knowledge
• Alignment: How to take up of civil society input
• Transparency vs. confidentiality  of the member state led process

...and more

WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

Where we are with the study...

• Done: Desk research (documentation of three processes, as available)
• Done: Online survey (27 actors identified/invited, 19 responding)
• Done: Semi-structured interviews (18 invited, 15 interviews done)
• Now: processing and assessing the material collected
• Early June: First draft of the report

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...and what we have learnt

• Behind every case: A particular story worth to be reported
• Behind every interaction: An (emerging) culture, a clear interest, leaders
• Outlook after our interviews with the actors in the lead: Overall positive experiences; lots of inspirations; no blueprint, but elements of good practice and lessons learnt to be shared

WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

The report

• Report to be published by the WHO Civil Society Commission
• First publication of the WHO CSC, format and terms still to be finalized

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Study team

• Fiona Uellendahl, World Vision International
• Milka Sokolovic, European Public Health Alliance
• Shilpa Maiya, Women in Global Health
• Thomas Schwarz, Medicus Mundi International – Network Health for All

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Contact

schwarz@medicusmundi.org

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WHO Civil Society Commission, WG1 pilot study, March-August 2024� How to timely and meaningfully engage civil society in the making of � World Health Assembly resolutions and decisions. Lessons and elements � of good practice resulting from the preparatory process for WHA77

What we will report

• Aim and background of the study
• Methodology
• The three cases/stories as reported by key actors
• Assessments by key actors
• Our conclusions and recommendations
• References and resources

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Presentation and concept note

• Presentation: Link shared in Zoom chat
• Study outline: Link shared in the Zoom chat

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Thanks for your attention!

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