22
Jan

Background

At PMAC 2024, we convene for a significant one-day side meeting to meticulously explore the essential interplay of health, peace, and gender in our morning session with a special emphasis on the  Health for Peace Initiative and presentation of country examples from the Middle East and Europe. The afternoon will be dedicated to examining how health can act as a pivotal bridge to peace in Southeast Asia. This forum is designed to offer innovative perspectives and actionable solutions for regions affected by the intricacies of geopolitical conflicts.

This session seamlessly connects to Plenary 2, 'Geopolitical Puppeteers: Identifying the Roles of Hidden Actors Shaping the Commercial Determinants of Global Health,' by examining for example the profound impact of the arms industry on global health. It uncovers the complex interplay between arms trade, conflicts, and their cascading effects on health infrastructure and environmental sustainability. Concurrently, the insights align with the themes of Parallel Session 2.4, 'Geopolitics, Arms Race, and Humanity,' highlighting the critical intersection of geopolitical strategies, the arms race, and their far-reaching implications for human health and global stability. It also link to the Plenary 1  'Global Governance for Health,' this session delves into the complex tapestry of health governance, shaped by geopolitical forces and milestones in health systems' history, and explores the potential of health equity to foster a fairer, sustainable global political order in today's multipolar world.

Morning session Title: Peace through health and gender

Peace is one of the key determinants of health and wellbeing. However, it remains elusive in many countries today. The multiple and overlapping crises faced by countries, regions, and the world appear unprecedented in their magnitude and complexity. Protracted conflicts continue and new ones emerge, fueled by geopolitics and social, political, and economic pressures[1]. The ongoing conflict in occupied Palestinian territories and several other countries of the Middle East region as well as conflict such as Russia and Ukraine in Europe require innovative approaches to pursue peace; innovations which offer both peace and health dividends[2].

There is growing evidence that health and gender equality can catalyze change and promote peace. Since its inception WHO has recognized the interconnectedness of peace, mental and physical health. Its constitution states that the “health of all peoples is fundamental to the attainment of peace and security and is dependent upon the fullest cooperation of individuals and states”[3]. In 1980s PAHO and WHO in the Region of Americas experimented with health as bridge for peace concept in Latin American countries affected by conflicts. Since 2019, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has made efforts to promote health for peace in Middle East region. WHO in recent years has announced a Global Health for Peace Initiative which aims to strengthen the role of WHO and the health sector as contributors to improving the prospects for peace – for example, by strengthening social cohesion, dialogue, or resilience to violence.

In 2023, the Lancet Commission on Peaceful Societies through Health Equity and Gender Equality published a major report on exploring the untapped intersections between Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 for health and well-being, SDG 5 on gender equality, and SDG 16 for peace, justice, and strong institutions. The Lancet Commission also notes with concern how Russia's invasion of Ukraine exemplifies the growing challenges in a globalized world. This conflict, arising amidst a confluence of global crises including the COVID-19 pandemic, has significantly diverted global attention and resources away from vital Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Lancet Commission underscores the urgent need to reassess and strengthen international cooperation and strategies to navigate these complex challenges and sustain progress towards health equity and gender equality[4]. The ongoing conflicts such as Russia and Ukraine and Israel and occupied Palestinian territories, not only poses a severe humanitarian crisis, demanding immediate attention and aid, but it also raises significant legal questions concerning international law and human rights, underlining the need for a robust legal response. Furthermore, the situation of conflicts in countries is exacerbating global health challenges, with the potential to impact health systems and populations far beyond the immediate countries, necessitating a coordinated global health strategy. Therefore, it is imperative that the international community unites in a concerted effort to restore peace and stability, addressing these humanitarian, legal, and global health dimensions comprehensively.[5]

This side session at PMAC 2024 aims to discuss health and gender as powerful drivers for change towards peace and sustainable development. It will bring together experts, policy makers and practitioners from global health and create an opportunity of dialogue at PMAC among global audience. 

Morning session format: 3 hours session, individual speaker talks/presentations followed by Q&A and plenary

09:00-09:10: Opening Remarks (Dr. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Prince Songkla University, Dr. Wasiq Khan, Team Lead WHO Health Emergencies Program, WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO)

09:10-09:30: Health equity and gender equality are powerful contributors to peace: Findings from the Lancet Commission on Peaceful Societies through Health Equity and Gender Equality by Prof. Peter Friberg (10 minutes presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A with audience)

09:30-09:35: Screening of video on health as bridge for peace in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region

09:35-09:55: Conflict in Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories: Latest from Gaza and hopes for peace by Dr Akihiro Seita, Director Health, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) (10 minutes presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A with audience)

09:55-10:15: Decade of Conflict in Yemen: how health system is advancing peace by Dr Art Pesigan, WHO Representative in Yemen (10 minutes presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A with audience)

10:15-10:30 Coffee Break

10:30-10:50: Decade of Conflict in Yemen: promoting gender equality and advancing peace by Ms Marcela Masiarik, Head of Cooperation at German Embassy in Yemen, 10 minutes presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A with audience)

10:50-11:15: Russia Ukraine Conflict by Dr Guillaume Simonian, WHO Representative in Bulgaria (15 minutes presentation followed by 10 minutes Q&A with audience)

11:15-11:45:  Plenary

11:45-12:00:  Concluding remarks (Dr. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Prince Songkla University, Prof Peter Friberg and Dr Wasiq Khan)

Afternoon session title: Can Health be a Bridge to Peace? Cases from across SE Asia

Background

Southeast Asia is facing two different nature of geopolitical conflicts, which are obstructing further health development of the region. Since 2000, sub-country geo-political arm conflicts took place in both archipelago (which have resolved into post-conflict development stage) and the mainland parts with unresolved arm-conflict area and recently conflict escalating areas. Without achieving peace, ASEAN solidarity spirits cannot be realized. Recently, there are rises in global polarization of people, their politicians and leaders, and the radical differences for governance amongst the poles of global power. ASEAN is now sandwiched in Sino-Western conflicts, which could be another factor delaying ASEAN health development. Amidst these geopolitics and other regional problems, there is a need to bring in new generation of health intellectual leaders to openly look for solutions

The morning session, 'Peace through health and gender,' examines how health and gender equality can be transformative agents in conflict-affected settings, presenting evidence and lessons from the Middle East. The afternoon session, 'Can Health be a Bridge to Peace? Cases from across SE Asia,' shifts the focus to Southeast Asia, exploring health leadership and collaboration amidst geopolitical tensions. Together, these sessions highlight the power of health as a unifying force for peace and development in diverse and challenging environments.

Afternoon session format: 3 hours session, individual speaker talks/presentations followed by Q&A

13:30-13:45:  Opening Remarks (Dr. Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong, Organizer)

Opening Remarks by Chairperson(s): Prof. Espen Bjertness, Prof. Feng Zhan Chun, Prof. Surichai Wan'Gaeo

13:45-14:30:  Part 1: Panel discussions titled "Can Health be a Bridge to Peace? Cases from across SE Asia" (chaired by Prof Surichai Wan-Kaew, moderated by Dr. Wit Wichaidit; Each panelist will have 12 minutes including Q&A)

Panelists

* Dr. Cynthia Maung, Director, Mae Tao Clinic, Thailand

* Prof. Dr. Zurnila Marli Kesuma, Syiah Kuala University, Indonesia

* Asst. Prof. Dr. Alisa Hasamoh, Prince of Songkla University / Deep South Relief and Reconciliation Foundation, Thailand

Part 2: New Sino-Western Cold War and Health of SE Asia (Co-chaired by Prof Espen Bjertness from University of Oslo and Prof Feng Zhanchun from Tongyi Medical School, assisted by the moderator Dr Liu Sichen from HITAP; Each panelist will have 10 minutes to present with 5 minutes Q&A)

14:30-14:45: Presentation by Panelist, Dr. Luo Hongye (Guangxi Medical University, China), titled "Analysis of International Aids Provided by China"

14:45-15:00:  Presentation by Panelist, Dr. Defriman Djafri (Andalas University, Indonesia), titled "Possible Roles of SE Asia Health Professions in Attenuating the Superpower Geopolitical Conflict"

15:00-15:15 Coffee Break

15:15-15:30: Presentation by Panelist, Dr. Niu Li (Jiujiang Medical University, China), titled "Emergence of Global Health Programs in China"

15:30-15:45: Presentation by Panelist, Dr. My Hanh Hoang (Health Policy and Strategy Institute, Vietnam), titled "Needs for Further Health Development in SE Asia amidst the Superpower Geopolitical Conflicts"

15:45-16:30: Presentation by Panelist/Moderator, Dr. Wit Wichaidit (Prince of Songkla University, Thailand), titled "Peace Promotion as a By-Product of International Research Training Programs in Asia"

References:

[1] Percival, V., Thoms, O.T., Oppenheim, B., Rowlands, D., Chisadza, C., Fewer, S., Yamey, G., Alexander, A.C., Allaham, C.L., Causevic, S. and Daudelin, F., 2023. The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through health equity and gender equality. The Lancet, 402(10413), pp.1661-1722.

[2] Khan, W., Jama, M., Pesigan, A., Seita, A., El-Adawy, M., Brennan, R. and Nishtar, S., 2023. Health can contribute to peace in the Eastern Mediterranean Region—what should be done to make it happen?. The Lancet, 402(10413), pp.1601-1603.

[3] World Health Organization, 1997. Health for all in the 21century (No. EM/RC44/10 Annex).

[4] Percival, V. et al. (2023) ‘The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through Health Equity and gender equality’, The Lancet, 402(10413), pp. 1661–1722. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01348-x.

[5] Percival, V. et al. (2023) ‘The Lancet Commission on peaceful societies through Health Equity and gender equality’, The Lancet, 402(10413), pp. 1661–1722. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(23)01348-x.