PHA-Exch> 7th Anniversary of the PHA

[David Legge]

Memories from seven years ago: meals in and around the pavilions on the grass served by local village people; chatting with the charming paramedics who were our hosts; sharing my living space six other friends from all corners of the world; Zafrullah's chastising his unruly flock in the auditorium; small group discussions finalising the Charter; testimonies from all parts; planting our trees before departing ...
 
Seven years later, November 2007, the International People's Health University (IPHU) held the short course, 'The Struggle for Health' at GK and launched the 2007 GK Fellowships.  Where we ate our lunches in December 2000, the children of the GK primary school now play.  The PHA auditorium where people's health activists assembled in December 2000 is now the scene of urgent preparation of thousands of emergency relief bags being filled, sealed and despatched to the cyclone devastated areas in the south.  The eye of the storm passed several hundred kilometers from GK but even so roofs were lifted and trees broken. 
 
GK remains a beacon to inspire and to lead.  The participants of the IPHU short course were taken by paramedics to the local villages to be with the people and learn about GK's approach to primary health care. We visited the GK pharmaceuticals factory and learned about the role of GK in challenging the domination of big pharma. 
 
The IPHU course explored health systems and globalisation, climate change and gender relations; we heard stories of struggle from Zimbabwe, India, Philippines, Benin, Brazil, Ghana, Iran, Vietnam and Bangladesh and we sought to learn from these stories of practice.  36 young PHM activists shared their passion and their experience and replenished their inspiration in the same building which had echoed with determination in December 2000.  
 
The four 2007 GK Fellows (John, Joni, Lydia and Marieke) remain at GK working with PHM Bangladesh to learn and contribute.  A new generation is stepping up to take PHM forward. 
 
david legge
australia. 
 

________________________________

From: pha-exchange-bounces at lists.kabissa.org on behalf of PHM Global Secretariat
Sent: Tue 2007-12-04 6:56 AM
To: PHA-Exchange
Subject: PHA-Exch> 7th Anniversary of the PHA


Today is the 7th Anniversary of the People's Health Assembly, 4 December 2000, Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK), Bangladesh.
 
Share your memories and tell us why you have joined the Assembly.