PHA-Exchange> Future PHA Structure (3)

[Dr Qasem Chowdhury]

Future PHA Structure (3)


THE NEW STRUCTURE


Circles

The Circles are the foundation of our structures.

Circles are created and made up of people who are representatives and 
activists from organizations and are people committed to working on the 
issue or activity that is the focus of the circle.

Circles are open and not closed.

Circles can have autonomy to agree on their most appropriate ways of working.

Circles should develop and agree plans for their work and share these as 
appropriate.

Circles will intersect.

Circles, when formed, will elect a link person(s) to link to other 
appropriate circles.


Types of circles

Circles are envisaged at different geographical levels and for different 
areas of work  Working Circles.

Geographical Circles are envisaged at a minimum of three levels
1.      National People's Health Movement Circles
2.      Regional People's Health Movement Circles
3.      International People's Health Movement Circles

Different areas of work can generate different Working Circles.  These are 
also envisaged to exist at the three geographical levels when appropriate. 
Some may first be established at the international level.  As activity and 
interest is developed then connected regional and or national circles might 
be developed.

A member of a working circle would come from and be on a national or 
regional circle. They would be the link person for that area of work or 
activity on their circle.

Members of working circles have the obligation and responsibility to share 
their work with other members of their national or regional circle.


Linking of Circles

One of the most important parts of the structure is the way in which 
circles link together.  Elected members of each circle will be the link 
person to other appropriate circles.  This could be between two different 
working circles or between a working and geographical circle. The linking 
has many roles and responsibilities. It is key to enabling the People's 
Health Movement to be more comprehensive and to making sure that the 
geographic and working circles share their ideas and activities.  The links 
can also enable us to join and co-operate with other movements and networks.

Many individuals and organisations involved in the PHM across the world are 
already involved in specific advocacy work.  The PHM aims not only to 
generate credible people centred alternatives but also to recognise, 
collate and endorse such alternatives that emerged before and after the 
People's Health Assembly 2000 and that will emerge in the future.  Some are 
linked to the PHM and others are independent. The new structure ensures 
that they have a place for this to continue, to be able to share this 
better with other activists and to link with other people and organisations 
engaged in complementary activity.


Geographical Regions

The initial regions are based on areas where the People's Health Movement 
has some strength with two exceptions.  These are West Africa and China, 
where we plan to have some strength in due course.

The initial regions proposed are;
1.      India
2.      South Asia,  not including India
3.      South-East and East Asia,  not including China
4.      China
5.      Pacific, Australia and New Zealand
6.      Middle East and North Africa
7.      West Africa
8.      East and Central Africa
9.      Southern Africa
10.     Europe
11.     South America
12.     Central America including Mexico and the Caribbean
13.     North America

This is not a complete or perfect regionalization of the world and through 
discussion, consultation and evolution we will be able to evolve a 
regionalization which reflects what each region feels is a viable and a 
positive contribution to the People's Health Movement.  National Circles 
would need to decide on what is the most suitable and appropriate region 
for them.

Some countries may feel it necessary and appropriate to establish regional, 
province or state level circles.

National circles would elect link person(s) with a Regional People's Health 
Movement Circle.
One elected representative from each of these Regional People's Health 
Movement Circles will be a representative for the International People's 
Health Movement Circle.


Secretariat

It is proposed that there is a Secretariat for the International People's 
Health Movement.  The Secretariat will play an important role in catalysing 
and facilitating the different circles and their inter-relationships. The 
Secretariat is likely to rotate after an agreed period if this was felt to 
be desirable and feasible. It is expected that the Secretariat will move 
every few years.  It would not be permanently in one place. The role and 
functions of the Secretariat would need to be agreed.
International People's Health Movement Circle
The International People's Health Movement Circle will be the reference 
body for the Secretariat.

It is also proposed that the co-ordinator or facilitator of the Secretariat 
for the International People's Health Movement will be representative on 
the International People's Health Movement Circle. This will mean that the 
initially the International People's Health Movement Circle has a minimum 
of fourteen members.

It will be the right of the International People's Health Movement Circle 
to increase this if appropriate.

Ways of working would be agreed for the International People's Health 
Movement Circle.

It may be desirable for the for the International People's Health Circle to 
elect a smaller group who would be a reference group for the secretariat on 
certain agreed issues.


Working Circles

a) Working Circles- to enable the development and strengthening of the PHM

Working Circles could be developed for activities that are key to the 
development and strengthening of the People's Health Movement itself. These 
will generally begin as International Working Circles.