PHA-Exchange> Re: Bangkok Charter - Action Needed!

[Valery Ridde]

Please, see somes critical articles on the Bangkok Charter in English, French
and Spanish

http://www.rhpeo.org/reviews/2005/index.htm

Valéry Ridde
Université Laval, Québec, Canada


Selon Kumanan Rasanathan <kumananr at yahoo.com>, 30.06.2005:

> Vannakkam and Kia Ora Koutou
>
> Please find enclosed the latest draft of the Bangkok Charter from the
> WHO website. As you may be aware, the Bangkok Charter is to be launched
> at the Bangkok conference on health promotion in August, as a
> significant update of the Ottawa Charter. The Bangkok Charter is an
> attempt to address the significant global developments that have
> occurred in the last twenty years. Significant work has been undertaken
> to produce a document with the aim of meaningfully influencing the
> practice of health promotion to engage with these issues to improve
> health. As such, the rationale behind this document should be supported
> by all those who advocate "health for all".
>
> However, many of us in New Zealand are concerned about the latest draft
> of the document. In particular we are concerned about its neutral
> treatment of globalisation (as shown by the proposed commitment to
> ensure that "globalisation becomes more health friendly"!), its lack of
> consideration of indigenous health, and its failure to clearly endorse
> the MDGs and recent international human rights and environmental
> treaties. We are concerned that this document will thus be cynically
> used as a roll-back position, which is possible given the international
> endorsement it will receive. Comparing the draft Charter to the
> People's Health Charter, there are obvious problems. Furthermore, the
> latest draft is more tepid than previous versions, removing references
> to the need for equity and the consideration of the impact of war on
> health.
>
> We have not seen anything on the PHM list about this document. We
> believe that the PHM could make a material difference to improve this
> document. The consultation process for the document has been unclear up
> to now, but essentially it is being driven by WHO. WHO is now seeking
> comment by the 14th of July at:
>
>
http://www.who.int/healthpromotion/conferences/6gchp/bangkok_charter_comments/en/
>
>
> We understand that the PHM is fully occupied at the moment preparing
> for the PHA-2. However, the Ottawa Charter is widely used in New
> Zealand and elsewhere, and we believe that a well framed Bangkok
> Charter could be a valuable tool in the fight for "health for all".
> Moreover, as currently framed, we are concerned it could have a
> negative effect. As such, we would appreciate your suggestions on how
> the PHM can advocate to improve this document. One of us (Kumanan) will
> be at the IPHU and PHA-2 in Cuenca, and it would great if we could make
> time there to discuss this. However, it may be important to submit
> something by the deadline of July 14. We are hoping that among the PHM
> ranks, some of you may have a better idea about the best way to proceed
> with this.
>
> We look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Nandri
>
> Kumanan Rasanathan and Alison Blaiklock
>