European perspectives on global health: a policy glossary

Introduction
the expenditures on armaments or products harmful to
health. As the great public health success in eradicating
smallpox has shown : if we can mobilise resources now,
we will save Europe and developing countries huge costs
and health consequences in the future. In short, global
health is not out there far away – it is here and Europe
must act now for global health.
<strong>European</strong> foundations call for
a <strong>European</strong> Strategy for Global
Health
In order to secure the health of its people and to
act as responsible global citizens, Europe needs
to raise public awareness and establish processes
and channels to engage all elements of society in
responding to the challenges of global health. This
requires action by and partnership between many
different agencies such as the <strong>European</strong> Commission,
the <strong>European</strong> Regional Office of the WHO, the
<strong>European</strong> Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
and <strong>European</strong> institutions representing private sector
industries, civil society and foundations, as well as
close collaboration with actors engaged in global
health at the national level.
As an initial step, <strong>European</strong> foundations have created
a <strong>European</strong> Partnership for Global Health to raise
awareness at <strong>European</strong> and national levels of global
health issues, using their position as a bridge between
governments, industry and civil society in Europe and
developing countries.
The aim of the <strong>European</strong> Partnership on Global Health
is to engage all elements of society across Europe to
work together to ensure health at home and abroad
through :
• Strengthening global health security
• Promoting global health equity
• Enhancing good governance for global health
The willingness and the capacity of states to cooperate
is critical for global health – and the Member States
of the <strong>European</strong> Union bring long-standing experience
with a range of transnational mechanisms to the table
– from policy networks and open coordination to
binding agreements and international law – which can
serve as examples.
Europe could create the mechanisms to move beyond
voluntary development aid to the agreed financing
of global public goods to which all actors contribute,
particularly those who benefit most from global
restructuring.
This global health policy
glossary is a starting point for
dialogue
This glossary is a contribution to social dialogue
on global health issues in Europe. It provides an
introduction to the key concepts and policy issues with
links to further reading in each area to help navigate a
complex new policy arena.
It introduces five key policy imperatives that could be
the basis for a <strong>European</strong> Strategy for Global Health. It
takes the position that :
Europe must :
1. Make global health a policy priority
2. Include global health in all fields of
<strong>European</strong> policy
3. Assert a <strong>European</strong> approach to global
health governance
4. Establish a <strong>European</strong> dialogue and
partnership on global health
5. Act now for global health
The right to the highest attainable standard of health
is a human right. It is one of the most important
components of human security and welfare ; it is a
critical global market for <strong>European</strong> companies and
a major public expenditure. Europe needs a strong
dialogue on global health so that politicians, citizens,
business, civil society and foundations can engage
with the global health agenda and contribute to the
clarification of principles, values, intent and directions
for global health action. Article 129 of the Maastricht
treaty ( 1992 ), later expanded by Article 152 of the
Treaty of Amsterdam ( 1997 ), requires the <strong>European</strong>
Union to check that policy proposals do not have an
adverse impact on health or create conditions that
undermine health promotion – this principle must be
understood to apply to global health matters.
8 <strong>European</strong> Foundation Centre – <strong>European</strong> Partnership for Global Health