GHW 2007-2008 We had a good response to our call for input into Global Health Watch 2007-2008. The steering committee met in March to finalise the broad framework for the next edition. We have tried to incorporate as many suggestions as possible while bearing in mind that the document should not be too long and reminding ourselves that with limited time, budget and resources we cannot cover everything! We continue to get emails from people and organisations that want to collaborate in developing the next report. Overview of proposed contents and process: Broadly speaking the contents will cover similar themes to the last Watch. The Sections will include: A. Overarching political and economic global issues: Chapter 1 will describe and critique the overarching political and economic global issues; Chapter 2 will be informed by and respond to the analysis in Chapter 1; B. Health Care Sector: this section will show what is going on with global health, current responses and impact on countries and will present an alternative paradigm. The main chapter will focus on globalisation and health and health systems and there will be a number of additional chapters including one focussing on Africa's health crisis; C. Beyond Health Care: in addition to continued watching and updating of the chapters in GHW1, there will be chapter on urbanization, sport and health and humanitarian responses to disaster and conflict; D. Watching: this section will monitor some of the same and an expanded base of institutions and processes as GHW1 E. Right to Health Campaign: we will develop 2 or 3 indicators for GHW to focus on. The Steering committee is currently writing up briefs to guide the development of the chapters. We will soon be forwarding these to proposed writers for input, suggestions regarding the chapter and additional authors. We would like to have more writers from developing countries in this edition of the Watch. Please let us know if you are interested. After finalization of the briefs and authors, the writing will begin. We aim to get the first drafts of the chapters back by the end of November 2006. In addition to the core writing we will be looking for human interest stories to weave within the chapters and put on the website. Guidelines for these will be on our website soon. Update on GHW 2005-2006 The GHW itself, as well as the English, French, Spanish and Arabic versions of Global Health Action, are all available for download on our website www.ghwatch.org. Hard copies of GHW1 are available from the publishers Zed books, contact sales@zedbooks.net. Books can also be obtained from UNISA press in South Africa and the Hesperian Foundation in the USA Update on launches and activities Launches have been held around the globe and the GHW has received good press coverage. The most recent launch organised by PHM Pakistan and GEGA, took place at the World Social Forum in Karachi. There were approximately 1000 people present. Well done! In addition to the launches reported in the last newsletter, further launches and/or presentations have been held in the Netherlands (press launch of Dutch summary of the GHW); Germany (conference in Berlin); Canada (Canada has had four different events!); Egypt (organised by AHED Egypt); Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro (Organised by Vic Stambolovic & video link up with Dave McCoy); France (Hosted by Medicine du Monde); Belfast N. Ireland (attended by Mike); USA had two launches one at APHA (organised by Hesperian Foundation) and a special launch organised by the Kensington Welfare Rights Union & Poor People's Economic Rights campaign; several meetings & launches were held in Sweden and Norway with presentation by Mike. Thanks to everyone who has hosted and assisted with these launches! There are still launches planned for South Africa (May), Malaysia, India, Greece and Iran. If you know of others that have taken place and/or planned please let us know. And if you would like to promote the GHW or support launches in your area, please email ghw@hst.org.za. In addition to the launches and presentations we are getting good feedback from a number of people regarding the use of GHW. These have ranged from lecturers using it for courses; students using it for presentations, assignments & group projects; as well as references to GHW in presentations. Please let us know if and how the GHW is being used in organisations and settings you come into contact with. Get involved! Let us know how you/ your organisation can contribute to GHW. Please send your response to ghw@hst.org.za * Advocacy and launches of GHW 2005-2006; * Writing and/or reviewing chapters; organising or writing human interest stories and testimonies for 2007-2008 * Translation * Produce an accompanying country or regional paper or report * Funding or fundraising Please pass on this newsletter to anybody that might be interested in the GHW. To receive periodical updates, email GHWatch-newsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com