The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Millennium Development Goals: Measuring progress in public health in South Africa’. Assessment of progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) during 2008 (the midpoint) revealed a mixed picture: many health goals remain off target, and huge inequities remain between and within countries. Existing evidence suggests that very few, if any, of the MDGs will be achieved in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2009 PHASA Conference is therefore aptly focused on the MDGs and measuring their progress from a public health perspective. An exciting programme is being put together of local and international speakers, including policy makers, leading local and international academics and international organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Jobs and Announcements
The International Conference on Healthcare and Trade, organised by the Erasmus Observatory on Health Law, will focus on the influence of the law of both the European Union and the World Trade Organization on trade in health services, health insurance services and health goods (pharmaceuticals). The application of the European Community Treaty, GATS and TRIPS to national regulation of health services, health insurance services and pharmaceuticals raises questions of applicability of, compatibility with and possible exceptions to the provisions of these instruments. In these areas, these questions have not yet been answered conclusively and further research and discussion in this area is ongoing. The conference aims to contribute to the discussion, attempting to formulate both legal and economic answers to these questions. Prepaid advanced registration must be electronically submitted, faxed or mailed no later than 1 December 2009. The conference fee is 250 Euros (concessions are available for students).
The Foundation Council of the Global Forum for Health Research today announced the appointment of Anthony Mbewu as its new Executive Director as of January 2010. Professor Mbewu is currently President of the Medical Research Council of South Africa (MRC). He is also Honorary Professor of Cardiology and Internal Medicine at the University of Cape Town and a Foreign Associate of the Institute of Medicine of the USA. Professor Mbewu trained in medicine at Oxford and London universities, qualifying in 1983. He subsequently trained as a specialist in cardiology and in general medicine at the University of Manchester while also conducting a research doctorate in preventive cardiology on lipoprotein in coronary heart disease. On returning to South Africa in 1994, he was appointed Consultant Cardiologist in the Cardiac Clinic of the Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town. In 1996 he became Executive Director for Research at the MRC and its President and Chief Executive Officer in 2005. Internationally, Professor MBewu is known for his work as co-chair of the Inter-Academy Medical Panel (a body that represents 66 of the world’s medical academies).
Are you interested in international health policies? If so, you might like to know about the Institute of Tropical Medicine’s (ITM) short course on health policy and strategic management, which we take place for the fourth time in 2010 in Antwerp. The course lasts eight weeks from 1 March till 23 April 2010. The aim of this course is to empower participants to play an active role in the development of public health policies in developing countries. The target group for this course are professionals involved in policy formulation and implementation at regional, national or international level working in health care, supervising, regulating or advocacy organisations or institutions (government or non-governmental). A limited number of fellowships are still available. You can look at the brochure online by using the link provided here.
The Forum will take place on 27 and 28 February 2010, immediately preceding the 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women, which will also undertake a 15-year review and appraisal of the Beijing Platform for Action. Early registration (by 15 October) is recommended, as it is cheaper than late registration (after 15 January). 2010 marks the 15th anniversary of the Beijing World Conference on Women. In recognition of this anniversary, the Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) Committee on the Status of Women is organising an NGO Global Women’s Forum to consider implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). The Forum programme will include two full conference days commencing with an opening ceremony, and continuing with plenary sessions, panel discussions and workshops. The Forum is working closely with NGOs and UN partners to assure full and representative participation from all regions of the world, especially from developing countries.
The Congress will be held in Africa for the first time, from 4–9 August 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants who would like to present an oral or poster presentation must submit an abstract for consideration by the Scientific Committee. The abstracts should be submitted in English. The Scientific Committee will determine whether abstracts will be accepted as oral or poster presentations, with consideration to be given to the author’s preference. The presenting author is required to ensure that all co-authors are aware of the content of the abstract before submission to the Secretariat. Only the abstracts of registered presenting authors will be included in the programme and book of abstracts. The Committee will review abstracts. Following this, information regarding acceptance, and scheduling will be sent to the abstract submitter. Instructions for preparation of posters will be sent together with the acceptance notification. Only abstracts of authors who have paid their registration fees by 2 December 2009 will be scheduled and included in the final programme.
Global Social Policy is a fully peer-reviewed journal that advances the understanding of the impact of globalisation processes upon social policy and social development on the one hand, and the impact of social policy upon globalisation processes on the other hand. The journal analyses the contributions of a range of national and international actors, both governmental and non-governmental, to global social policy and social development discourse and practice. It has a clear focus on social
policies that have global and transnational reach and that have significant implications for the development of social policy worldwide. The Journal publishes three issues a year. The journal is seeking new editors with vision, international standing in global social policy, knowledge and understanding of current trends in global social policy
and closely related areas, journal editorial experience, proficiency in the use of information/communications technology and an ability to adhere to agreed work schedules and deadlines. Further information for interested applicants can be obtained from the email address below.
The Ford Foundation seeks two Program Officers to respectively focus on Addressing Social and Cultural Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in West Africa (targeting Nigeria and sub-regional initiatives); and Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls and Addressing Social and Cultural Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in East Africa. The Foundation’s Nairobi office seeks a dynamic individual to implement, monitor and coordinate grant making programs on Protecting the Rights of Women and Girls portfolio and the Sexuality and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) portfolio. For further information please contact the email address below before October 14, 2009.
The Geneva Health Forum 2010 ‘Globalization, Crisis, and Health Systems: Confronting Regional Perspectives’ is fast approaching. We would like to inform you that the Final Date for Abstract Submission is now set at 30 October 2009. The 2010 GHF themes are found at www.ghf10.org/reports/143. Abstract submision is at www.ghf10.org/reports/130. Participant registration opens 10 October 2009. Specific information and updates on the 2010 edition of the Forum can be found on the website.
The Royal College of Gynecologists and Obstetricians is holding a meeting on 4 October, shortly before the FIGO World Congress, which offers to be an excellent opportunity to find out about the work that the LSTM/RCOG International Partnership is undertaking to improve women’s healthcare and contributing to the challenges of Millennium Development Goals 4 – reducing child mortality – and 5 – reducing maternal mortality. It is an opportunity to harness information to better support all those concerned and discuss ways to work together using knowledge and experience for the greater good of newborn and maternal health in the future. This programme will be delivered by national and international experts in their fields. The day will highlight successes and look at areas where more work is needed to effect change.