In preparation for the Summit of the Future in New York this September, the Young WFPHA (World Federation of Public Health Associations) Working Group is hosting a webinar, organized in collaboration with the Working Group on Youth Empowerment under the Global Research and Action Network for a New Eco-Social Contract (GRAN-ESC) and other youth and student associations such as EPHSA, IVSA, IPSF, and IFMSA. The webinar explores the youth perspective on the Eco-Social Contract and the One Health / Planetary Health Approach, bringing together students and young professionals to share their insights and expertise.
This event aims to highlight the shared values and potential implicit in these approaches for fostering a sustainable and inclusive future. In addition, the webinar presents an opportunity to give continuity and present the collaboration and partnership among associations. The Youth Manifesto, a document drafted by the above-mentioned associations, which compiles the outcomes of discussions held in April 2024 during the workshop titled “Empowering Future Public Health Professionals,” part of the Global Public Health Week (GPHW), will be presented. Finally, the “Global Cross Dialogues: Advancing Sustainable Development for Population Health and Well-Being” an event convened during the Action Days of the Summit of the Future, will be introduced.
Understanding the Eco-Social Contract
The Eco-Social Contract stands for a societal agreement that integrates ecological sustainability, social equity and economic development. It aims to redefine the relationship between society, economy and the environment through a draft of changes to policies and institutions so that they are democratic, inclusive and promote gender and environmental justice, coupled with alternative economies and transformative social policies. This will in turn prioritize long-term ecological health, fair resource distribution and inclusive participation in decision making.
The One Health / Planetary Health Approach
One Health recognizes the interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment, aiming for interdisciplinary collaborations to achieve better health outcomes by addressing health threats at this interface. Planetary Health expands on this, emphasizing the health of human civilizations and natural systems, advocating for sustainable coexistence. It is grounded in a broad health-for-all approach that considers the social determinants of health as crucial for achieving better social outcomes.
Common Values and Synergies
Both the Eco-Social Contract and the One Health / Planetary Health approach share several core values. They emphasize the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health, recognizing that these elements are deeply interconnected. Sustainability is another key objective, promoting practices that safeguard natural resources for present and future generations. These approaches also strive for equity and justice, ensuring fair access to health and resources for all communities. They advocate for resilience building, promoting preventive and adaptive strategies to withstand and recover from environmental and societal shocks, and universal public services that support the well-being of people and environmental protection. Finally, both approaches highlight the importance of participation and engaging diverse stakeholders in decision-making processes to ensure inclusive and effective outcomes.
The Role of Youth
Youth play a vital role in advancing these approaches through their energy, creativity, and commitment to sustainability and the rights of future generations. This webinar focuses on empowering young people to take active roles in policy advocacy, raising awareness about the interconnected nature of health and environmental issues, and supporting youth-led sustainable development initiatives. By fostering these elements, the webinar aims to harness the potential of youth to drive significant progress in these areas.
Manifesto
The Youth Manifesto advocates for youth involvement in public health discussions and initiatives. It describes barriers to entering public health careers and proposes actions tailored to the needs and expectations of students and young professionals. Additionally, it outlines essential competencies for success and provides recommendations on strengthening public health education, based on the feedback of students and young professionals.
Summit of the Future Action Days Event
As the world faces complex challenges such as global conflicts, climate change, economic inequality, and social injustices, the need for exchanging knowledge, ideas, policies, and solutions across disciplines, generations and cultures is critical. To address this, the WFPHA and its Young WFPHA working group, with several partners, are proposing to organize a side event titled “Global Cross Dialogues: Advancing Sustainable Development through Population Health and Well-Being” on 21 September 2024. This youth-led event aims to explore, discuss and propose actionable solutions and policies for key global issues related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), using population well-being and health determinants as catalysts.
The side event features a multidisciplinary panel discussion, and targeted group dialogues on health determinants (political and cultural context, environmental, social, financial and commercial, digital). These discussions will address the primary structural determinants of health, aiming to solve issues at their source, creating a healthier planet, society, cities, communities and individuals.
The event will conclude with a comprehensive statement of findings and the launch of the “Global Cross Dialogues Platform” to sustain ongoing conversations and collaborative efforts. Long-term outcomes include sustained engagement through periodic follow-up meetings and expanded future workshops to cover more regions and disciplines.
Conclusion
Integrating the Eco-Social Contract with the One Health and Planetary Health Approach offers a pathway to addressing global challenges through collaboration, sustainability and equity. This webinar aims to mobilize youth and strengthen collective efforts toward a resilient and healthy future, contributing to the GRAN-ESC efforts to inform the Summit of the Future in September 2024.
By engaging young professionals and students in this discussion, the event underscores the importance of their perspectives in shaping policies and actions that are inclusive, sustainable, and just. The insights derived from this webinar will serve as a valuable contribution to the upcoming Summit of the Future Action Days, and the “Global Cross Dialogues: Advancing Sustainable Development for Population Health and Well-Being” event, ensuring sustained engagement and collaboration. The initiative aims to foster a global movement driven by young people, advocating for integrated health and sustainability, and ultimately building a world that prioritizes ecological integrity, social equity and population well-being.
Together, we can drive meaningful change and pave the way for a healthier planet and a more equitable society for present and future generations.
Speakers
Amitabha Sarkar, Research Fellow, UNRISD
Chantal Riggs, Community Building and Engagement Coordinator, Planetary Health Alliance
Walid Alali, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the Department of Biostatistics & Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University (ETSU)
Hanna Marcus, Co-chair for the Environmental Health Working Group, World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA)
Federica Castellana, Volunteer, Young WFPHA Working Group; Project Manager, Italian Red Cross in Djibouti—Moderator