Social Determinants for Health – A foundation to promote a human rights agenda

Objective:
This session is framed within the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)and honouring the Millennium /Declaration by 2015, using a human rights perspective.  As an interactive session, it focuses specifically on global south perspectives on what is needed to reach marginalized and underserved populations as a critical input in achieving the MDGs.  It aims to foster dialogue and discussion that takes into account a critical review of the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH) report recommendations, and how different country typologies (Least Developed Countries -LDCs, transition or middle-income) have put the SDH framework into action. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding and exploring SDH dimensions from the perspectives of grassroots and marginalized communities.

Key messages / key questions:
It is important to recognize and better understand the interdependence between SDH and human rights as contributors to achieving the Millennium Development Goals/ Millennium Declaration. In 2010, only 5 years remaining to meet MDGs, both governments and civil society partners, especially developing countries and those in transition/conflict, will be under increasing pressure to deliver on the global commitments. Therefore, panelists will provide an overview of lessons learnt --opportunities and potential threats – plus strategies that integrate marginalized community and/or indigenous perspectives in programming and policy actions. Finally, they will also provide ‘food for thought’ on what is the evidence for “success” when defining it from a grassroots /indigenous peoples’ point of view.

The key question to be answered is the following: 
How are indigenous and marginalized community initiatives expanding our collective understanding of the practical application of SDH framework in making a positive difference in local communities?

Panel members will address this question from a variety of perspectives that factor into account post-crisis or conflict situations as well as current natural and man-made threats.

Proposed format:
A moderated ‘debate and dialogue’ session wherein panel members present their key ideas and are engaged in discussion among themselves and with the audience.

Chair:

• Dr. Erma Manoncourt, IUHPE Global Working Group Chair, UNICEF Representative, Cairo Egypt
  

• Dr. Erma Manoncourt, IUHPE Global Working Group Chair, UNICEF Representative, Cairo Egypt

• Dr. Alok Mukhopadhyay, CEO, Voluntary Health Association Of India, New Delhi, India
  Presentation (PPS, 7,72 MB)
  
• Ms. Widney Brown, Senior Legal Advisor for International Law and Policy, Amnesty International, London, UK
• H.E. Hassan Emami Razavi, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
• Dr. Todd Harper, CEO, VicHealth, Carlton, Australia (tbc)
  Presentation (PPS, 1,86 MB)