Global Health Watch An Alternative World Health Report We are announcing the forthcoming production of the Global Health Watch – a bi-annual production that will represent an alternative World Health Report. The report will be launched at next year’s World Health Assembly in May 2005 and at the People’s Health Assembly in June 2005. The report is aimed to provide an alternative perspective on health that places equity, human and social rights; the politics and economics of development; and the centrality of health systems development at the forefront of international health debates. In addition, the report aims to act as a monitor of the performance of global health institutions such as WHO and Global Fund; development and multi-lateral agencies such as the World Bank and WTO; multi-national corporations; and the nations of the G8/OECD. The Global Heath Watch is also being seen as an opportunity and vehicle to strengthen links between different regional health networks (both north-south and south-south links) as well as between progressive health networks and other social and political networks. The production of the report has been initiated by the Peoples Health Movement, Medact and the Global Equity Gauge Alliance. More detail on the purpose and structure of the report can be found on the PHM, Gega or Medact websites. This is a call to all individuals and NGOs who share our perspectives and values on health to participate in the production of the report, as well as in the development of advocacy processes in different parts of the world. This includes using the Global Health Watch to strengthen YOUR own campaigns for equitable health and social justice. In order to ensure that the production of the report reflects a global perspective and results in global ownership, we are calling for partners from different parts of the world to contribute in the following ways: Raise the profile of the Global Health Watch as an alternative perspective on current health debates, focused around the strengthening of equitable and inclusive health systems, the accountability of global health institutions, and bridging health concerns with the politics and economics of development; Contribute to the production of the Global Health Watch through the submission of testimonies and case studies from different parts of the world (guidelines for writing these will be developed soon) Contribute to the Global Health Watch by reviewing and contributing to chapters Organise the simultaneous launch of the report in different parts of the world in May/June 2005 We are especially looking for individuals and organisations from Eastern Europe, South East Asia, China / the Far East, Central Asia, West Africa, East Africa, North Africa and the Caribbean. If you have any interest in supporting this initiative, please send an e-mail to: ghw@medact.org Patricia Morton Global Health Watch Medact is a UK charity for global health, working on issues related to conflict, poverty and the environment Medact The Grayston Centre 28 Charles Square London N1 6HT United Kingdom T +44 (0) 20 7324 4739 F +44 (0) 20 7324 4734 www.medact.org Registered Charity 1081097 Company Reg. No. 2267125