WFPHA participation at the 154th Session of the WHO Executive Board

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) participated at the 154th session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board, held from January 22 to January 27, 2024  at WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

This annual gathering brought together 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms, serving a crucial role in implementing the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly and advising on matters integral to global health governance.

As WFPHA actively participated in global health discussions, the urgent call for addressing the nexus of global health and peace remained at the forefront. The challenges posed by conflicts demand immediate attention, and the commitment to ensuring access to healthcare for all is pivotal in preventing further crises on a global scale.

WFPHA’s statement on Peace and Conflict

The WFPHA’s statement focused on the urgent need to address the complex intersection of global health and peace, emphasizing the dire consequences of conflict on public health. The statement highlighted the devastating conditions prevalent in areas of conflict, including starvation, dehydration, neglected vulnerable patients, and the widespread propagation of infections – all of which create an environment conducive to new pandemics.

Internship Opportunity with WFPHA

Environmental Health Working Group

The World Federation of Public Health Associations Environmental Health (WFPHA EH) Working Group is currently looking for an intern. Ideally, the candidate will use this non-paid opportunity as part of a master’s practicum course.

Interning with the WFPHA

WFPHA offers a unique environment for an internship for students in international health and development. Interns are given substantial responsibility for performing activities such as researching and writing articles, establishing contact with health and development NGOs around the world, planning international conferences, and fundraising. Each internship is structured to suit the needs and interests of the intern, such as working on an individual research assignment, as well as the requirements of WFPHA.

During the internship, interns will further develop their writing and research skills and become more familiar with the key issues and actors in international health and development. They will have extensive networking opportunities as WFPHA is an international NGO in official relations with WHO and has extensive contacts with other organizations worldwide.

Qualification and experience

• Applicants must either hold a master’s degree in a public health-relevant field or be currently enrolled in a master’s program.
• Applicants must illustrate a strong interest in environmental health.
• Prior experience in communications and/or policy development in health or environmental fields will be considered an asset.

Key Responsibilities

The intern will assist the three co-chairs of the WFPHA Environmental Health Working Group with the following tasks:

WFPHA EH Policies

• Review current policies and categorize
• Organize and assist with updating policies (this can include a literature review and lead to the publication of a background paper for the intern’s CV)
• Uploading all policies onto the WFPHA website and supporting their advertisement and dissemination through WFPHA’s social media channels
• Identify policy gaps where new policies are needed (e.g., One Health) and assist with developing these

Communication work for the EH Working Group

• Maintain routine social media reporting and release of blogs  for the EH WG
• Support additional web page development considering existing gaps

Liaise with other Working Groups

• Contact and engage with other WFPHA working groups on cross-cutting issues (e.g., advancing collaboration with the WFPHA youth group).

Key Areas

The internship will be focused on environmental health-related issues including, but not limited to, climate change, chemicals, air pollution, indigenous health, and One Health.

Modality

The intern will work fully remotely.

Compensation

The internship is unpaid. The organization does not cover relocation expenses and does not sponsor international student visas.

Period

Starts as soon as possible for a minimum of 3 months. The internship may be part-time or full-time.

Application Deadline

January 31, 2024

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the internship, please send a CV and motivation letter highlighting your skills and relevance to Hannah Marcus at: hannahmarcus6@hotmail.com

Internship Opportunity with WFPHA

Video Subtitler

The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is currently looking for a remote video subtitler.

The WFPHA is an international, non-profit, nongovernmental organization composed of over 130 associations member, mostly multidisciplinary national public health associations, and representing around 5 million public health professionals worldwide. The interns will have extensive networking opportunities as WFPHA is accredited an international NGO in official relations with WHO, and has extensive contacts with other organizations worldwide.

Qualification and experience

• Bachelor/Master student in Multilingual Communication/Translation/Specialized Translation/Translation Technology.
• Excellent command of English
• Knowledge of MS Office.
• Comfortable with new technologies.
• Knowledge of Adobe package is a plus.
• Eager to work within a multicultural and international environment.
• A good team player with a “can-do” attitude.
• Good at multi-tasking and working with strict deadlines.

Key responsibilities

• Main activity: video subtitling.
• Embedding subtitles on YouTube videos of translated projects in Public Health domain.
• Check timeline and help to optimize WFPHA guidelines.

Modality

The intern will work fully remotely. The intern will be part of the WFPHA Translation Team and will get feedback from revisers of the team.

Compensation

The internship is unpaid but is intended to serve as a career-building opportunity for an early-career academic.

The organization does not cover re-location expenses and does not sponsor international student visas.

Period

Starts as soon as possible (or to be defined) for a minimum of 120 hours. The internship may be part-time or full-time.

Application Deadline

January 30, 2024

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the internship, please send your CV to Maria Mata: Maria.mata@wfpha.org

Wars are never necessary: Gaza is the best example

In a recent publication, The Lancet delivers a powerful message against the perceived justification of war, using the ongoing conflict in Gaza as a poignant example. The article challenges the notion of a “necessary war” and calls for global advocacy in defense of life.

Over two months into the conflict, no resolution has been achieved, and persistent challenges endure. The toll on lives lost and survivors facing enduring hardships is immeasurable. The billions spent on destructive endeavors could have been redirected to save lives, nourish and immunize communities, aid the malnourished, establish equitable systems, and supply essential medicines to regions worldwide.

For the authors, WFPHA President Prof. Luis Eugenio De Souza, Paulo Buss and Santiago Alcázar, appeal continues: stop the war and the bloodshed and let health act in the recovery of the injured and those affected mentally and physically.

Urgent Humanitarian Appeal: Health Crisis for Hostages in Gaza

100 days have passed since the October 7th massacre. This surprising assault resulted in the kidnapping of more than 240 Israeli and foreign citizens from their homes and a party in southern Israel with an additional 1,200 murdered. In response, the Israel Defense Forces initiated a substantial counterattack, an operation that persists, leaving a landscape of devastation and despair and nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe.

The health of hostages in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly, facing life-threatening risks each day. Many endure complex medical conditions, injuries, and profound mental trauma, requiring specialized care.

As each day passes, the health and lives of all hostages are seriously endangered. The release of hostages is an essential step toward alleviating the suffering and building the foundation for lasting peace.

The World Federation of Public Health Associations endorses the letter from laureates of the Nobel Prize to urgently call for their immediate release to ensure basic human rights and provide essential medical and psychological support. Time is of the essence, and every day in captivity further endangers their lives.