PHA-Exchange> Future PHA Structure (2)

Wed Dec 26 12:15:12 PST 2001

Future PHA Structure (2)

from these 93 countries did not always represent or bring with them a 
broader consensus from their own region or country.  In some cases there 
were individuals representing countries; in others there were NGOs 
representing some mobilization in Civil Society; in some countries and 
regions there were more collective efforts; like India where there were 
very intensive efforts to organize.   All were seeds for the future of the 
People's Health Movement.

There is urgent need to continue this process of consensus building, to 
strengthen the civil society consensus and endorsement of the People's 
Charter for Health in each country, region and globally.

Some key issues in developing and strengthening the People's Health Movement

a)      Developing a core circle of individuals willing to give time to 
People's Health Movement
b)      Focusing on Networks / Membership organizations and not just 
individuals or NGOs.  We are a movement and not an NGO.
c)      Ensuring as far as possible collective, democratic decision making, 
so that all constituents have opportunity to contribute, participate, 
suggest and facilitate the work of the People's Health Movement.  The 
organizational framework should be circular and not pyramidal.
d)      Respecting the autonomy of each participating network to do other 
activities in the People's Health Movement spirit.
e)      Maintaining good communications between circles, countries and 
regions through regular email communication, newsletter, website etc.
f)      Producing 'consensus' documentation authored collectively and not 
by individuals so that ownership of ideas and perspectives is enhanced and 
collectivized.
g)      Strengthening instruments for advocacy
2.      WHERE DO WE WANT TO GET TO BY 2005?
o       To generate credible people-centered alternatives to existing 
approaches to health.

o       To enable a movement to advocate for and pressure for health rights.

o       The People's Charter for Health should be a guiding document both 
for the People's Health Movement, for a growing number of national 
governments (not just Ministries of Health) and parts of the UN 
institutions i.e. the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP etc.

o       People and their movements to be enabled to popularize and use the 
People's Charter for Health and to develop and lobby for local and national 
level alternatives.

o       By 2005 the People's Charter for Health should be 'on the table' 
and, it and related documents which share positive people-centered 
practice, should be seen as credible alternatives.

o       That the movement is recognized as the People's Health Movement as 
opposed to the People's Health Assembly

o       For the People's Health Movement to take root so that international 
bodies such as the WHO, WTO, UNICEF, World Bank, listen to the People's 
Health Movement.
This could be achieved by;
-       the weight of the presentation of our strategies for alternatives 
and exposing the gap between rhetoric and reality.
-       collective pressure
-       the perceived weight and presence of the People's Health Movement

o       Development of specific strategies and actions with respect to 
national governments.  These would be focused on national level health and 
related policies and practices and on highlighting the current and 
potential role of national government on international bodies such as the 
WHO, WTO and World Bank. The People's Health Movement should contribute to 
the demystification of the WHO and World Bank etc. and demand 
national-level accountability.

o       We will have developed documents that present key principles and 
people-centered and community based practices.

o       To have held a series of Regional People's Health Movement Circle 
assemblies during 2003-2004

o       We will decide if a second People's Health Assembly, PHA2, will 
take place.  If there is a positive decision, we will also decide when and 
where. By January 2005 we will have reviewed the People's Charter for Health.

A
People's
Web

Towards Structures
for
A People's Health Movement

Agreed
December 2001

TOWARDS FACILITATING STRUCTURES FOR A
PEOPLE'S HEALTH MOVEMENT

Principles
o       Develop a feeling of belonging to a movement for change.

o       Inclusive.  We will enable people and organisations with different 
and diverse backgrounds to be part of the PHM.  However we will ensure that 
a pro-people orientation remains fundamental. (This will sometimes require 
positive action i.e. for people with disabilities)

o       Transparent, democratic and open

o       Representative of       -    South/North
-       Genders
-       Ethnicity/Race
-       Emailing and without access to email
-       Different languages as possible
-       Ages/Generations - especially young and older people
o       We need to celebrate diversity and encourage and recognize that 
there are multiple solutions.

o       We recognize that Women's access to health often is still unequal 
and inappropriate and that this needs to be challenged and changed.

o       Linking with networks and movements, being complimentary to the 
work of others and providing a space for others. The PHM places importance 
on membership organisations, networks and movements with democratic 
decision making processes. This is key.

o       Work based and building on the People's Charter for Health.  This 
is our fundamental common ground.

o       Build on collective energies and actions

o       Each country in their own way

Assumptions
1.      There is a need for a global structure and that this has to be 
founded, informed and inspired by people's experiences, strategies and visions.

2.      The base should be geographical, building on our strengths. The 
regions of the world should suit us.

3.      Our structure should bring together organizations and movements and 
facilitate exchanges of experiences, information, strategies and actions 
between them.

4.      The focus is not on decision making though this is of course needed

5.      The type of organizational structure most appropriate to the 
development and strengthening of the People's Health Movement is not 
pyramid shaped but circular.

TOWARDS FACILITATING STRUCTURES FOR A
PEOPLE'S HEALTH MOVEMENT