European perspectives on global health: a policy glossary

3. Europe must assert its role in global health governance
health in rich and poor countries. The leading role of
some large NGOs like MSF and Oxfam has increased
their impact on public opinion ; the MSF has also
demonstrated its strength with the creation of the
Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative as a new form
of developing Research and Development. The rise
of human right organisations has linked advocacy
for public health with fighting for a broader field of
human development.
In general during the recent two decades the number
and diversity of influential actors in global health
has increased considerably. This has helped to boost
financial and personnel resources available for healthrelated
strategies and it has led to a considerably
larger public awareness of and involvement in global
health affairs. On the other hand, there is now a larger
array of actors with different interests involved ( e.g.
security, protection of own population against transborder
spread of diseases, fighting poverty, enhancing
development, making profits, human rights ), who, of
course, also use their political and financial resources
to support their specific positions.
Compromises between actors with different
interests, including private actors like pharmaceutical
companies and NGOs are an essential feature of
Global Health Governance. This frequently creates a
lack of transparency, accountabilities to very different
publics and a lack of legitimacy for GHG as a whole.
The politics of the EU and its Member States fits into
this picture, with many different forms of reaction to
different issues and different forms of involvement.
Action : The development of policy coherence for
global health within the EU could be an important
factor for making the EU a strong actor for the better
integration of global health governance, without
forgoing the advantages of the involvement of
many different actors. Europe must be in the lead in
establishing a global health architecture that respects
the diversity but articulates, resolves and ensures
transparency, accountability and joint action.
References :
Global Health Watch 2005-2006 : An alternative world
health report. London : Zed Books, 2005, in association
with the People’s Health Movement, Bangalore ; Medact,
London ; Global Equity Gauge Alliance, Durban.
Kickbusch, I., The Leavell Lecture : ”The End of Public Health
as We Know It : Constructing Global Public Health in the
21st century”, Public Health, 2004, 463-469
40 <strong>European</strong> Foundation Centre – <strong>European</strong> Partnership for Global Health