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Dear Colleagues,
As the organizing committee, founded in 1993, the Turkish Public Health Association (TPHA) is a volunteer, non-profit and an international nongovernmental organization bringing health workers throughout Turkey together for professional exchange, collaboration and action. We are delighted and honoured to invite you to attend the World Federation of Public Health Association 2009 Congress in Istanbul/Turkey.
In global health policies the importance Civil Society Organizations is increasing with an incredible pace and influence and are having profound impacts on health. People, as part of the civil society, form the core of health systems. They use health services, contribute finances, are care givers and have a role in developing health policies and in shaping health systems. One of the most significant developments in the recent past has been the 1978 Alma Ata declaration, which is considered a landmark for recognising people’s participation in health systems as central to Primary Health Care and for recognising the role that organised social action plays in securing health gains.
The manner in which the state responds to these changes, and the extent to which civil society actors are recognized and included in health policies and programmes, are some of the critical factors determining the course of public health today.
Along with governments, the United Nations (UN) system, which believes that development must rest on people’s needs, has not been immune to this unleashing of people power. The UN as an institution has a history of opening its doors to organizations and institutions that represent the diverse interests of people. In recent years, the UN family has made a special effort to broaden its collaboration and consultation with such organizations.
In September 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit in New York, World leaders agreed on a set of global development goals. Three of the eight Millennium Development Goals, eight of the 18 targets, and 18 of the 48 indicators cover areas that directly concern the work of WHO. These include reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, and providing access to affordable essential drugs in developing countries. Others, such as eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, and promoting gender equality and empowering women, have a health dimension. The achievement of these requires a concerted, global strategy aimed at increasing the access of the world’s poor to essential health services.
Within this new strategic approach and challenges in Public Health, it is obvious that WFPHA and its members has a significant role and mission not only to create and sustain a platform for discussion but also implementing and the monitoring this process. On the other hand, looking from the local level we believe WFPHA 2009 World Congress is going to support Turkey’s efforts to offer better public health services, with accordance to WHO’ s goals of “Health For All 21st Century”, to all of its citizens. While sharing Turkey’s example from the local level, we also aim to follow up the international developments to illustrate and to share Turkey’s efforts with members of WFPHA.
To reach these goals and maintain a strong discussion platform, TPHA we have been in touch with its main stakeholder groups such the Government, International Organizations, Universities and NGOs in Turkey.
Meetings with the Government Agencies as Prime Ministry, Ministry of Health etc. United Nations Agencies such as WHO, FAO, UNFPA and UNICEF were briefed about the role and importance of the WFPHA Congress. Besides public health schools like Hacettepe and Ankara Universities and NGOs such as Medical Association of Turkey, Turkish Pharmacists’ Association, Society of Public Health Specialists, Turkish Nurses Association and Turkish Diabetic Association will be active in sharing their opinions and ready to contribute for implementation of policies. All the above organizations shared their support by official letters as well. Lastly, I am pleased to share that ZED Tourism, a professional congress organizer, will be providing the necessary logistics and organization to organize the 2009 WFPHA Congress, to host you in the beautiful city Istanbul where the continents and cultures meet.
Finally, we believe 2009 WFPHA World Congress will be a successful platform for both members of WFPHA and Turkey. On behalf of Organising Committee, we would like to remind that, you will not only participate to another WFPHA Congress but also you will see, experience and feel the history, beauty and life of Istanbul. Welcome to Istanbul/Turkey.
Prof. Dr. Hikmet PEKCAN
President of Turkish Public Health Association
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