World Health Organization Office at the European Union: 2014-2015

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION OFFICE AT THE EUROPEAN UNION

2014-2015 Welcome / Introduction 01

WHO and the EU: a reinforced partnership 08

Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda 19

Driving the Health Research Agenda 33

© World Health Organization 2016 All rights reserved. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization Promoting health within the UN system 34 welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for Integrated communications 37 which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the Our people 39 information contained in this publication. However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. The views expressed by authors, editors, or expert groups do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health Organization. Produced by WHO office at the EU. Reviewed and edited by Leslea Petersen. 2

Welcome

The European Union (EU) is a very important partner of the World Health Organization (WHO); This activity report illustrates the extensive work carried out by WEU in Brussels it represents 28 Member States (MS) of the 53 countries of the WHO European Region (WHO in the last two years. It shows that together we are on the right path to build a Europe). All of these 28 EU countries fall under the mandate of WHO Europe. The effective European Region in which all people are enabled and supported in achieving their cooperation of both institutions in all health related topics benefits member states of the EU full health potential and in which health inequalities are reduced. and other nations with whom Europe is linked.

Contemporary public health challenges are complex and Since 2000, the European Commission and WHO have interlinked. Addressing them at all levels – individual, established a framework for cooperation aiming at identifying institutional, community, local or national – requires strategic and developing effective actions to ensuring an intersectoral and coordinated initiatives. There is a need to integrate and approach to public health policy development. Both ensure coherence between the many different sectorial policies, organizations recognize that the contribution of and dialogue which are relevant to keep individuals and populations healthy. with other sectors influencing health determinants is crucial. This approach is fully in line with the Health 2020 framework. In response to this changing context, Health 2020, the European health policy framework of WHO, underlines the Over the last years, the WHO office at the European Union importance of cooperation across and within governments and has actively contributed to strengthening the collaboration societies for health and well-being. It aims at improving health and synergies with both the EC and other EU institutions and Zsuzsanna Jakab WHO Regional Director for Europe for all and at reducing health inequalities. Indeed, investment stakeholders, including the European Parliament, the Council in health reduces disparities and further contributes to social and the broad public health community. cohesion breaking the downward spiral of poor health that both contributes to and results from poverty and exclusion. This activity report illustrates the extensive work carried out by WEU in Brussels in the last two years. It shows that together we The EU plays a crucial role in promoting public health are on the right path to build a European Region in which all complementing national health policies. people are enabled and supported in achieving their full health potential and in which health inequalities are reduced.

Delegates at RC65 ©Franz Henriksen 4

WEU was set up in 1998 to support and strengthen the to facilitate an exchange of views on issues of common interest. Introduction cooperation between WHO and the three main decision- At the same time, the WEU team monitors and disseminates making bodies of the EU: the European Commission, the information within WHO on EU policies and initiatives. We The past biennium has been rich in opportunities and challenges for the health sector, not European Parliament (EP) and the Council of the European identify opportunities to improve cooperation at the global, Union (Council) as well as with other relevant stakeholders regional and country levels. In order to ensure a better only at EU level, ranging from the containment of Ebola in three African countries; the new interested in public health. This partnership aims at facilitating understanding of EU developments through a more systematic climate change agreement in Paris; the phasing out of the Millennium Development Goals the achievements of the common public health goals at global exchange of information we have been disseminating a and the approval of the new SDG’s agenda, to mention a few. and regional levels. weekly newsletter, which reaches senior management in WHO headquarters and in WHO/ Europe. In this way we make sure The landscape of the actors and stakeholders of the EU and that EU developments are better known at the appropriate During this biennium 2014–2015, WEU has worked to promote WHO’s health agenda and to especially the Brussels landscape is broad and dynamic. In level in WHO thus facilitating the interaction with the EU and foster co-operation with all EU institutions and stakeholders. This report gives an overview Roberto Bertollini Chief Scientist and this environment, WEU functions as a hub between the EU a better and informed proactive approach by WHO for public of the WEU political and programme achievements and events organized since January 2014 WHO Representative to the EU institutions, other stakeholders and WHO. WEU informs and health policy development. until December 2015. communicates on WHO developments and strategies through different platforms and mechanisms. With the aim of contributing more actively to shape the EU public health agenda, during 2014-2015 biennium WEU has Moreover, we have consolidated a systematic dialogue with intensified its public role, attending over 560 events as well the European Commission at technical and at political level as initiated an active presence in social media. These efforts extending the remit of the work beyond the health sector allowed for a broader recognition of WHO leadership in public to other agendas relevant to health. We therefore deal, in health issues within the large stakeholder base in Brussels. addition to DG SANTE (Health and Food Safety), with DG RTD (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, DG DEVCO The Ebola outbreak, vaccination campaigns, carcinogenicity (Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation), EEAS of meat and processed meat, air quality, tobacco, alcohol, the (EU External Action Service), DG CLIMA (Directorate-General intersection between food and health, the noncommunicable for Climate Change), DG ECHO (Directorate-General for disease debates, the sustainability of health systems, the global Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection), DG ENVIRONMENT role of health in development policies or the elimination and (Directorate-General for the Environment), DG CONNECT eradication of some diseases are some of the debates in which (Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content & we have been an active contributor. Technology) and others. Moreover, we have an established network with United Nations I am pleased to say that WHO’s technical expertise has been (UN) agencies in Brussels and we work through several working increasingly recognized by these directorates in the European groups on specific topics to respond jointly and with one voice Commission as well as the by the Environment, Public Health to policy developments relevant for health in the EU. WEU and Food Safety European Parliament Committee (ENVI) as the also contributes to discussions on the financial administrative reference source of expertise and knowledge on critical public framework agreement (FAFA) between the EU and the UN. health issues. WEU has also contributed to advance public health research by In addition, over the years WEU has revitalized an informal carrying out a specific research project named RAHEE funded network with the EU countries health attachés based in Brussels by the public health programme of DG SANTE. This project 6

aimed at identifying priorities for a research agenda on health should also be seen as a benchmark to monitor and evaluate economic evaluation, outlining the existing health economic the work which will be undertaken in future years. evidence on the 10 main conditions responsible for the highest burden of disease in the EU. The recommendations from the I hope you will enjoy reading it. strengthening partnerships project are being used by the EC as a basis for identifying the WEU for health between WHO and the EU research questions to address by DG RTD in the future. Roberto Bertollini We would like this report to be a tool for better knowledge of Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU the work of the WEU within and outside the WHO system. It WEU connects WHO different ofﬁces with the EU stakeholders

Recognizing the constant evolution of social, environmental, economic and EUROPEAN epidemiological realities and their impact on population health, the strength of COMMISSION WHO-EU partnership remains vital to improving public health across the globe. EU PUBLIC HEALTH WHO looks forward to continuing to build on joint efforts with the EU towards DEVELOPMENT shepherding a new, successful era of sustainable development. EUROPEAN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COUNCIL Ian Smith Regional ofﬁce Executive Director of the Director-General’s Office, WHO for Europe WEU STAKEHOLDERS

INDUSTRY CLINICIANS PUBLIC HEALTH PATIENT GROUPS NGO’S AGENDA ACADEMICS INSURANCE The continuous support from the WEU office in providing information and the AND PAYERS THINK TANKS promptness in responding to requests has been instrumental for our planning Regional and and for promoting our agenda for evidence-informed policy making. Country ofﬁces

Claudia Stein Director of the Division of Information, Evidence, Research and Innovation, World Health Organization, Regional Office for Europe Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership

WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership

In 2015, the European Commission and the WHO renewed their joint commitment to work together towards their shared objective of addressing today’s complex health challenges, from health security to chronic diseases and health systems. The office of the WHO at the European Union continued to play an important role in ‘greasing the wheels’ of the Commission’s daily cooperation with WHO, as well as in contributing to the EU health policy debates in Brussels.

Martin Seychell Deputy Director General for Health

WEU cooperates and interacts with the EU at political and technical level. This chapter examines WEU’s cooperation with some of our privileged partners at EU level and describes the type of cooperation.

European Commission-WHO: a reinforced cooperation

First Row (left to right): Perrine Seron, Ilaria Lucibello, Anny Yu, Roberto Bertollini, Patricia Lamas Sanchez, Sofia Ribero, Gesine Knolle, Andrea Silenzi “The European Commission and WHO/Europe wish to continue their engagement for effective dissemination Second row (left to right): Sanne Staes, Maria Teresa Marchetti, André Peralta, Stephane Vandam, Ine Mortelmans, Alexandra Cogels, Peter Grabitz, Arnaud Bayle, Nicolas Verheylewegen, Richard Tran of scientific evidence, data and information of relevance for health policies, thereby facilitating assessments and comparisons that can help policymaking. The two institutions intend to continue to exchange information on their respective actions and projects in order to increase complementarity and thus ensuring maximal synergy of efforts”. Acknowledgments This is an extract from the framework document outlining the An intense collaboration between the two institutions has been The report would not have been possible without the many contributions from colleagues objectives, principles and modalities for continued cooperation, developing over time through different agreements, which are from the World Health Organization Office at the European Union. The bi-annual report between the EC and WHO Europe agreed upon by Zsuzsanna summarized in Box III. Jakab ,WHO Regional Director for Europe, and Vytenis has been greatly enriched through discussions with the WEU team and with the input from Andriukaitis ,European Commissioner for Health and Food colleagues across the organization. Safety, in September 2015. Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership 10

development. Moreover, WEU closely monitors and provides At the technical level, senior officials’ meetings are held input to EU policies related to health such as the air quality annually, involving officials from various EC Directorates- Box I : The EU and health policy directive or the safety at work strategy. General and from WHO offices in Geneva, Copenhagen and Brussels. The most recent senior officials’ meeting (SOM) was Citizens’ health is a core EU priority. EU health policy origin, ensure high quality, safety and efficacy for medicinal At the political level, periodic meetings take place between the held in February 20151. (See Box IV for an overview of the past complements national policies to ensure that everyone living in products and devices for medical use. EU Health Commissioner, the WHO Director -General and the SOM meetings) the EU has access to quality healthcare. WHO Regional Director for Europe. While the organization and delivery of healthcare is the The main objectives of EU health policy include: disease responsibility of individual countries, the EU brings added prevention, promote healthier lifestyles, promote well-being, value in helping countries achieve common objectives. protect people from serious cross-border threats to health, EU health policy generates economies of scale by pooling improve access to healthcare, promote health information and resources, and helps countries to tackle the common education, improve patient safety, support dynamic health challenges, including health threats such as pandemics, the Box III : The EU and WHO: framework of collaboration systems and new technologies, set high quality and safety risk factors associated with chronic diseases or the impact 3 standards for organ transplants and other substances of human of population ageing on healthcare systems. 2000: In December 2000 , WHO and the EC exchanged cooperation in different policy areas such as health security, letters to strengthen and intensify their cooperation in the RTD, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), antimicrobial field of health. resistance (AMR), health inequalities, emerging health threats, health systems and health information. In the period 2015– The agreement linked a number of priority areas - including 2019, the two institutions intend to maintain and expand their health information, communicable diseases, tobacco control, cooperation in the identified priority policy areas. Box II : EU main collaborating institutions environment and health, sustainable health development, health research - and also outlined practical procedures for In addition, WEU participates and often facilitates a number systematic cooperation. of technical and high level meetings with the EC to support European public health policies are developed in a process involving the Council of the European Union, the EP and the the global and regional efforts of WHO, including the Global European Commission. 2010: The WHO-EC cooperation was further developed Health Policy Forum jointly organized by 3 Directorates of the in the Moscow Declaration4 of September 2010 seeking Commission (SANTE, DEVCO and RTD). The Council of the European Union (Council) is the EU’s main decision-making body. It represents the 28 MS. It is the to strengthen policy dialogue and technical cooperation council and the parliament that pass European laws. on public health.5

The European Parliament (EP) is the European body that directly represents the people of the MS. It consists of 751 2011: In 2011, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, was members. The EP shares equal legislative and budgetary powers with the Council. The European Commission is accountable to given the responsibility to lead relations with the EU and its the EP. institutions for all of WHO. For a number of issues of global concern, the EU cooperates with WHO headquarters. The European Commission (EC) is the executive body of the EU responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU. 2015: In September, the EC and WHO/Europe renewed their joint commitment to work together towards their shared objective of better health in Europe. The new document6 outlines the objectives, principles and modalities for continued Important institutions with whom WEU cooperates on a WEU interacts efficiently with the EU executive body regular basis include the European Commission, the EP and the with the aim of mutually reinforcing policies and actions European Council of the European Union.i (See Box II) being developed by both organizations for public health Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership 12

WHO HQ - European Commission WHO Europe - European Commission Box IV : WHO - EC: Senior official meetings and high level meetings

Dr Chan has met on several occasions with WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab Since the beginning of the cooperation between WHO and the EC, a total of 15 SOM’s have been organized. In the biennium Commissioners Andriukaitis (Health), Mimica has met the EU Health Commissioner on a number of 2014–2015, WEU organized the last one in February 2015. Minutes and records of these meetings can be found in the links that (Development), Stylianides (Humanitarian Aid and Crisis occasions. For instance, the first meeting took place are provided at the end of this report (see References section). Management) and Moedas (Research and Innovation) to on the third day in office of the Health Commissioner discuss, among other issues, a coordinated response to on 5 November 2014, to discuss priorities and future 20 February 2015 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting7 the Ebola outbreak. collaboration. Both leaders meet and interact on a regular 7 June 2013 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting8 basis in different settings. This allows for a permanent 7 March 2012 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting9 On June 4 2015, in the context of the European exchange of views, coordination and partnership. Development Days, Dr Chan delivered a keynote opening 25 March 2011 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting statement on the Ebola outbreak at the high level session Zsuzsanna Jakab has also met a number of EU senior 23 October 2008 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting11 organized by WEU on From response to Resilience: officials to discuss ongoing and future cooperation. 18 October 2007 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting12 Consolidating Efforts for a sustainable Ebola response. On 12-13 October 2006 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting13 the same day, Dr Chan launched in the EP, an emergency WEU has enhanced its efforts towards a reinforced 2 July 2004 EC / WHO High Level Meeting14 appeal, to support the international humanitarian cooperation with different directorates within the EC. response to the health needs in Iraq. Dr Chan warned In addition to DG Sante, WEU has worked with DG 28 October 2003 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting that public services for health, water, and sanitation Environment, DG DEVCO, DG RTD or DG TRANSPORT, 6 May 2003 EC / WHO High Level Meeting15 were collapsing and that the support of the international in order to facilitate the implementation of an effective 3-4 October 2002 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting community was urgently needed. intersectoral policy for health. 6 June 2002 EC / WHO High Level Meeting16 24 October 2001 EC / WHO Senior Officials Meeting17 6 April 2001 EC / WHO High Level Meeting18

European Commission - WHO collaborative projects

There are many joint EC / WHO projects involving technical or This project identified priorities for a research agenda on health financial collaboration with a number of different Commission economic evaluation and the results included an outline of the Directorate-Generals. WEU has followed very closely (the office existing health economic evidence on the 10 main conditions has participated in over 20 meetings) the discussions on the responsible for the highest burden of disease in the EU. The financial administrative framework agreement (FAFA) between project conclusions summarised recommendations to the EC on the UN and the EC to develop a coherent and mutually how to address the knowledge gaps identified. acceptable legal and financial framework. This agreement underwent intense negotiations in 2014-2015. Discussion between Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab, EU Organization (WHO), on the right, and Neven Mimica Health and Food Safety Commissioner, Vytenis Andriukaitis Date: 03/03/2015 Reference: P-027675/00-19 Location: Brussels - Palais d’Egmont © European Union, 2015 / Photo: Lieven Creemers Among the many technical projects carried out in partnership © European Union, 2015 / Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photo: Etienne Ansotte between WHO and the EC, the RAHEE project, funded by DG SANTE was implemented directly by WEU. Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership 14

European Commission - WHO providing input health system performance across Europe. It shows that EU always been a valuable partner when it comes to establishing policies and strategies are needed to promote healthy lifestyles, the best policies on health technologies and medical devices. When the EC starts working on a new policy initiative or revises existing legislation, it usually opens a public consultation. These protect healthy living standards and improve the prevention, public consultations provide an ideal platform for WEU to provide WHO expert knowledge on specific public health issues being early diagnosis and treatment of diseases in countries that are My hope is that the continuous cooperation with the World addressed. lagging behind. Health Organization will help stimulate further actions so that all European citizens can enjoy longer, healthier and more active Some of the WHO/WEU contributions to policy development in the EU: During the past two years, cooperation with the World Health lives. Organization has taken place in numerous areas. Combined ■ Europe 2020 strategy public consultation19 in November including WHO, have submitted a joint response to the efforts occurred as well on urgent situations, such as Ebola With sincere gratitude for the work done and all my support for 2014. WEU coordinated the WHO response to the EU policy EC’s public consultation on the relationship between the EU and Zika outbreaks, as on long term health challenges, such as the work ahead of us, strategy and highlighted the importance of universal health and the ACP countries in December 2015. The aim of the antimicrobial resistance, alcohol use, tobacco control, healthy coverage, the role of prevention policies, health- in- all consultation was to take stock of the current partnership ageing, tuberculosis and HIV programmes or vaccines and Giovanni La Via policies, and the importance of a whole-of-government agreement, to explore the extent in which it remains valid for immunization. Furthermore, the World Health Organization has Chair, European Parliament Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety approach for health improvement. the future and offers a platform to advance joint interests. The ■ Implementation plan of the European consensus UN submission highlighted the agenda 2030 and its 17 SDGs on humanitarian aid20 in 2015. WEU highlighted some of the and how the partnership needs to adapt to respond to new lessons learnt from the Ebola crisis and the importance of challenges and a new international cooperation system. The health in humanitarian response. UN agencies requested the SDGs to be considered in the early Health inequalities start early in life and persist not only into old age but ■ Towards a new partnership between the EU and the ACP planning stages of envisaged joint initiatives. subsequent generations. The work of WHO and WEU are very important for 21 countries after 2020 the UN Brussels based agencies, our daily work as the use of relevant and scientific based data allows us to better respond to health challenges including health inequalities. WEU - advancing the public health agenda in the European Parliament Karin Kadenbach Member of the European Parliament

As Chair of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and surveillance of health events and new, more inclusive policies Food Safety of the European Parliament, I want to warmly have all contributed to these changes. Since 1979, successive European treaties have increased the obesity, food and health, vaccines, AMR, cancer or the SDGs. thank the World Health Organization office to the EU for the powers of the EP when it comes to drafting the EU budget WEU has sought and achieved to establish a systematic fruitful cooperation we have on health policies. Nevertheless, this is no time for complacency. Important and laws. EP political control of the EU’s other institutions and dialogue with different MEPs with an interest in health. WEU challenges remain: more adequately addressing health bodies have also been strengthened. With the Lisbon Treaty, has participated in a number of debates and in particular has Undoubtedly, both our organizations share the same vision: inequalities, the social determinants of health and common risk which entered into force in 2009, the EP’s legislative role has interacted with the ENVI and DEVE Committee of the EP –both the groundwork of all happiness is health. In this regard, I am factors such as tobacco, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. grown considerably: it now has as much weight as the Council directly or through the involvement of other WHO teams and delighted when I see health in Europe continues to improve in Other problems – the continuing financial and economic crises of the European Union. offices-. several areas: life expectancy is steadily increasing, child and in many countries in the Region, social unrest, natural disasters maternal health are continuously improving, and the burden and disease outbreaks or re-emergence – necessitate the The EP has consistently acted for the establishment of a WHO is considered as a thought leader in the discussions in of some non-communicable and communicable diseases is continuous monitoring of health trends. coherent public health policy. It has also actively sought to the EP and WHO expertize and data is regularly referred to declining in many countries. I am convinced that new health Giovanni La Via strengthen and promote health policy through numerous in official and working documents. Some examples of this Chair, European Parliament Committee technologies, more integrated health care, stronger public This bi-annual report 2014-2015 is an important input for on the Environment, Public Health and opinions, debates, or own-initiative reports on a wide range of interaction are presented below. health practice and programmes, improved reporting and public debates on policies to improve population health and Food Safety issues including tobacco, alcohol, air quality, the Ebola outbreak, Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership 16

Ebola outbreak Immunization

WEU has attended or supported the EP in several critical issues such as: ENVI Committee: Exchange of views with WHO on vaccination, “WHO is concerned about a worrisome mistrust in vaccination Roberto Bertollini.25 programmes among some groups of the population, despite solid scientific data”, said Bertollini. He invited Members of The risk of an Ebola outbreak in European countries remains low. The Ebola 17.06.2015- Roberto Bertollini, Chief Scientist and WHO the EP to make use of good science as a basis to make policy Representative to the EU spoke at the ENVI Committee to decisions and to close the immunization gap in Europe by outbreak has severely affected Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in Western Africa. address waning confidence in vaccinations in Europe and the urging MS to implement the European Vaccine Action Plan The urban and suburban setting, combined with weak health systems and conflict implementation of the European Vaccine Action Plan 2015- 2015-2020 (EVAP) that was adopted at the 64th session of the in the subregion has led to this crisis. We need to address Ebola at its source. 2020 (EVAP). WHO Regional Committee for Europe by all EU countries in 2014.26 Zsuzsanna Jakab at the ENVI Committee

ENVI Committee: Exchange of views with Zsuzsanna Jakab, ■ Video ENVI Committee WHO Regional Director for Europe, on the Ebola crisis22,23 ■ EUROPARL Interview24 05.11.2014- Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for ■ EURONEWS coverage Europe, briefed the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety on the impact of the Ebola outbreak in Europe Links to these resources can be found at the end of this and abroad on 5 November 2014. publication (see References section).

In a separate meeting, Rick Brennan, Director, Ebola Response Team, on the Development Committee, discussed the Ebola crisis in view of preparing an EP Resolution on the issue. Giovanni La Via and Roberto Bertollini with Professor M. Catchpole

Today, vaccines have an excellent safety record and are among the most efficient and cost-effective instruments that we have in public health.

Roberto Bertollini Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU Chapter I. WHO and the European Union: a reinforced partnership 18

Red meat and processed meat Eat for Health

ENVI Committee: Exchange of views with WHO on the IARC following the 26 October press release about the results of 13.10.2015. - The ENVI Committee of the EP organized the Plan 2015-2020’ (FNAP) and he explained that 15 of the 20 monograph evaluating the potential carcinogenicity of the an IARC monograph on the potential carcinogenicity of the workshop “Eat for Health” to discuss eating habits and trends leading risk factors for NCDs are associated with nutrition and consumption of red meat and processed meat.27 consumption of red meat and processed meat, and to respond in Europe as well as the options for policy makers, industry, physical activity. The FNAP identified five priority areas, one to MEPs questions on the impact that the alarm reported by the professionals and citizens to promote a healthier diet. of which is to create healthy food and drink environments. 09.11.2015 - WHO joined the Committee on the Environment, media had on meat and processed meat producers in the EU Effective food marketing policies, pricing policies and promotion Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) for an exchange of views and on the general public. Roberto Bertollini, Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to of a healthy diet by health professionals could make healthy the EU, presented the WHO Europe ‘Food and Nutrition Action options more available to everyone.

Health policies can create an environment where the default option is the healthy one.

Roberto Bertollini WHO Representative to the EU

Informal network of Health attachés

European citizens are facing great public health challenges such as NCDs, AMR, IARC’s review confirms the recommendation in WHO’s 2002 “Diet, nutrition and access to affordable and high quality care for everyone but also new emerging the prevention of chronic diseases” report, which advised people to moderate risks linked to the environment we live in. Understanding health trends is very consumption of preserved meat to reduce the risk of cancer. The latest IARC important to ensure better coordination among different policy levels and deliver review does not ask people to stop eating processed meats but indicates that better healthcare for our citizens. I look forward to continue cooperating with reducing consumption of these products can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. WHO to better respond to existing and emerging healthcare challenges.

An analysis of data from 10 studies estimated that every 50 gram portion of Georgiou Loukas processed meat eaten daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by about 18% Health Attaché, Permanent Representation of Cyprus to the EU

Roberto Bertollini Officials within Permanent Representations dealing with health WEU cooperates with the EU countries’ health attachés WHO Representative to the EU and health related issues are called health attachés. They meet based in Brussels to facilitate exchange of views on issues on a regular basis in preparation for upcoming negotiations of common interest as required. The last informal meeting or as part of existing coordination mechanisms, such as the with health attachés took place during the Latvian EU Council Working Group on Health. Presidency in 2015. Chapter II. Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda

WEU advocacy activities have involved delivering evidence- WEU has attended 563 events over the last two years and Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda based recommendations to decision makers and stakeholders delivered 56 presentations on a variety of topics ranging on and off open public fora. This has been supported by WEU from tobacco, alcohol, AMR air quality, health systems and its communication activities aiming to reinforce the WHO mandate sustainability, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, to drive positive public health change. cardiovascular, trans-fats, obesity, tuberculosis (TB), Ebola, healthcare workforce and access to medicines.

As a leading think tank that aims to stimulate new thinking on European and global issues, we regard the WHO Office at the European Union as a highly valu- WHO Office at the EU has been an important participant able actor willing to go the extra mile to improve the health status of Europeans. Nathalie Furrer to the discussions at the European Policy Centre (EPC), Director, Friends of Europe an independent think tank based in Brussels. It has been of great value to have WHO personnel speak at the EPC events and participate in the multi-stakeholder debates. As a member of the EPC's Coalition for Health, Ethics and Society (CHES) Steering Committee and as a speaker The office of the WHO at the European Union has been a key partner for the at various health-related events, WHO staff has made Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL) in our work in promoting cancer an important contribution to reminding the European prevention in particular the European Code against Cancer, as well as access to audiences of the importance of health across various screening and patient support and treatment. The WHO has been instrumental policies and the need for comprehensive thinking. As in supporting ECL’s vision of a Europe free of cancers, and has been an active the EPC continues to promote discussion on the health participant in our work at the European Parliament. WHO office to the EU has challenges of the day, we look forward to the valuable been very supportive in our role as the Secretariat for the MEPs against Cancer, contributions of the WHO Office at the EU also in the an all-party Parliamentary group committed to political action on cancer. future. We find our collaboration with WHO very productive and look forward to Annika Hedberg Senior Policy Assistant, European Policy Center continuing our work together.

Wendy Yared Director, Association of European Cancer Leagues Working with the extended public health community

WEU has made a great effort over the past two year, to This has resulted in a growing and closer collaboration with the Establishing a broad-based public health community has outreach and advocacy activities as well as the main topics expand and consolidate its relationship with other public public health community on issues of high public health concern been a passionate job for the WEU team, WHO Europe and addressed over the past two years are illustrated below. health stakeholders in Brussels. such as NCDs -tobacco and alcohol-, Health 2020 or SDGs. WHO. Some information about the number and types of WEU Some of the stakeholders WEU has collaborated with in the biennium 2014-215 ea sac n i t ic gy

EUROPE AGAINST DRUGS Chapter II. Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda 24

WEU INVOLVEMENT AT EVENTS EPHA is Europe’s leading NGO alliance advocating for better public health. WEU is an essential partner for our work towards universal good health and well-being, and access for everyone to sustainable and high quality health systems. We share the aims of WEU and of Health2020, for a Europe whose policies and practices contribute to health, both within and beyond its borders. EPHA believes that such partnerships are vital to advance crucial public health initiatives and to achieve effective governance with health at the heart of all policies. We look forward to continuing our great cooperation with WEU to achieve better health for all.

Nina Renshaw Secretary-General European Public Health Alliance Attendance 506

563 Working collaboratively with the WHO on issues of patient safety has been Presentation or speech 40 Total participation invaluable to the success of awareness raising campaigns on key public health issues in Europe. John Bowis Honorary President of Health First Europe

Chair or panelist 17 Chapter II. Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda 26

WEU PARTICIPATION AT EVENTS (BY EVENT ORGANISER) WEU PARTICIPATION AT EVENTS (BY THEME)

203 CIVIL SOCIETY Promoting health through the life-course 126 (NGOs)

Non-communicable disease 106

30 Health Systems 93 WHO 47 INDUSTRY/TRADE ASSOCIATIONS Development and cooperation 91 52 UN Non classiﬁed (general interest) 86

35 122 Communicable disease 32 THINK TANKS EUROPEAN COMMISSION 16 OTHER Research and Innovation 27 47 11 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Other 2 2015 to get support to the Protocol to eliminate illicit trade in tobacco products. Other issues that were addressed during this The presence and strong support of WEU in the EP during the discussions on the round of meetings were: Tobacco Products Directive was very important to make the voice of the public health community heard. ■ The agreement between Philip Morris international and the EC and the need not to extend its validity beyond June 2016 Linda McAvan MEP ■ The role of OLAF (as an organization from the EU who is Chair, Commitee on Development of the European Parliament Party to WHO and full party to FCTC and as such eligible to become Party to the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products) in its fight against illicit trade ■ The interference of the tobacco industry in the ratification process of the FCTC with developing countries

The work with the EP in relation to tobacco continues and WEU is cooperating with the cross-party working group chaired by Gilles Pargneaux MEP (S&D, France), who also co-chairs the Tobacco Parliament’s ENVI committee. The EP group works to ensure MS meet the transposition deadline of the Tobacco Directive The adoption of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/ In 2013, WEU organised a seminar on the occasion of World as well as the enforcement of the FCTC provision that requires EU) (TPD) in 2014 has been an important milestone in the fight No Tobacco Day, which addressed banning tobacco advertising total transparency of meetings between the tobacco industry against tobacco consumption in the EU. as one of the most effective key measures to reduce smoking30. representatives and policy-makers meeting tobacco industry In addition a large number of meetings and presentations were representatives. The EP anti-tobacco group working group also This development contributes to the implementation of the delivered by WEU in different settings in close collaboration aims at addressing illicit trade and cigarette smuggling. legally binding WHO Framework Convention on tobacco with a number of stakeholders such as the European Public Control (FCTC) which entered into force in February 2005. Both Health Alliance (EPHA) and Smoke Free Partnership (SFP) to EU Member States and the EU are parties to this Convention. make the voice of the public health community heard. European Union and the International Development Community In the process to adopt the TPD, the tobacco industry deployed Following the adoption of the Directive, the advocacy efforts of The European Development Days 3-4 June 2015 a massive scale lobby to amend, delay and water -down the WEU have continued to facilitate the development of a number text, in what has been described as “the most lobbied dossier of delegated acts foreseen in the TPD. 2015 was a transitional year for the development community The EDD 2015 edition was a great opportunity for the in the history of EU institutions”29. as it marked the deadlines for both reaching the MDGs and development community to talk about health as a critical In relation to the FCTC, WEU has facilitated some high- agreeing on the post–2015 development framework. WHO contributor to achieve the overarching purpose of the SDGs. WEU established a very strong presence in the EP during the level meetings between Vera Da Silva, Head of Convention through WEU participated in the 9th edition of the EDD to WEU organized a high level plenary session From Response discussions on the TPD and in particular collaborated with the Secretariat (WHO FCTC) and EC officials (including EC Health ensure that health is a top priority in the post–2015 agenda to Resilience: Consolidating Efforts for a sustainable Ebola rapporteur of the initiative, Linda McAvan MEP. Commissioner, EC Commissioner for Development) in June and that the lessons learnt from the Ebola response were fully Response and a laboratory session on the International Health integrated. Regulation in the context of cross border health threats of Chapter II. Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda 30

international concern. WEU also organized a joint session with Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: Right to Health, UNRWA on Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons: Right to Right to Life - Globally, more than 50 million people have been Health, Right to Life. forced to flee their homes and two- thirds of them are internally displaced due to conflict in their home country. Growing global From Response to Resilience: Consolidating Efforts for a instability has led to a rising number of internally displaced sustainable Ebola Response - The aim of the plenary session, persons (IDPs) and refugees. This situation has created an ever opened by Dr Chan, was to get an insight into how different increasing burden on host countries and aid agencies providing organizations use the lessons learnt from the Ebola outbreak essential healthcare services. Participants at the session drew to strengthen national and international response and on their experience to explore contemporary challenges capacities and build more resilient health systems. It was and lessons learnt, as well as outline practical strategies and also an opportunity to discuss the situation regarding the recommendations for providing quality healthcare to refugees Ebola outbreak, including the global response; its medium and IDPs. and long-term societal implications for the three affected countries - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone; and the role of the The full report can be seen here: international community in ensuring sustainable recovery. It also http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_ facilitated discussions about conditions, resources and political file/0006/282138/WHO-at-European-Development- commitments needed for global public health emergency- Days-2015.pdf response capacity and preparedness for future global epidemics.

International Health Regulations in the context of cross border health threats of international concern - This session was an opportunity to understand the role of international collaboration and health governance to contain the spread of infectious diseases. Approved in 2005, the International Health Regulations (IHR) have helped countries to prevent, detect, inform and respond to public health events in a coordinated manner. Different health crises such as the H1N1 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak highlighted the weaknesses and strengths of this tool and the challenges for countries with weak health systems. Chapter II. Shaping the EU Public Health Agenda 32

The Ebola outbreak NATO Ebola outbreak. WEU collected and provided updates from NATO invited WEU on 21-22 October 2014 to present the latest colleagues in the field and from headquarters. information on Ebola and next steps as well as on the 27 April 2015 to speak about Ebola outbreak one year on, to review the European Parliament The Ebola outbreak has been a wake-up call for the international community. lessons and experiences learnt. WHO global and WHO/Europe were invited by the EP (ENVI and WHO is taking steps to make sure that the world will never again be taken by DEVE Committee) for an exchange of views with members of the surprise and that never again the international community, national governments European Commission EP to talk about the Ebola response. WEU has facilitated the dialogue between WHO and the EC on and local authorities will not be fully equipped to respond. the Ebola response. In December 2014, two high-level meetings ■ 24 Sep 2014 - DEVE Committee, exchange of views on

WHO Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan in her opening remarks at the EDD to discuss the Ebola health response with the EC took place. the Ebola crisis, Richard Brennan, Director of Emergency Risk Rick Brennan, Director, Ebola Response Team, attended these Management and Humanitarian Response at WHO headquarters, meetings together with WEU colleagues. provided an update of the status of the epidemics33. ■ 5 November 2014 - ENVI Committee -: Exchange of views In addition, WEU has participated in the weekly meetings with the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab, organized by DG ECHO and the Health Security Committee to on the Ebola crisis34. Jakab informed MEPs on the situation of the coordinate a European and a Member State response to the epidemics and on WHO response.

The Ebola outbreak in 2014 and 2015 in the three West ■ On 17 September 2014 WEU was invited by the ACP African countries Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and the Secretariat in Brussels to deliver a presentation on the response repercussions it had at international level have substantially to the Ebola crisis. Liaising with the key EU partners to address health needs in conflict zones and emergencies changed the perception of the international community on ■ On 23February 2015 the ACP organized a second meeting global health security. This outbreak has also shown how an of senior health officials in Brussels. WEU delivered a technical WEU has been working closely with regional offices, country Commissioner Christos Stylianides, responsible for humanitarian epidemic can proliferate rapidly in the absence of a strong presentation on Ebola preventive measures and response to the offices and headquarters to support the EU participation aid and crisis management, together with AFET and DEVE health system capable of a rapid and integrated response. Ebola crisis supporting the preventive and control measures for in addressing the health needs of people in conflict and Chairs Elmar Brok and Linda McAvan as well as Kyung-wha 31 this viral disease epidemics . emergency situations, including response to crisis in Iraq, Syria, Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs The engagement of the international community including Nepal and Yemen. and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator of the UN, also the ACP countries, the EU and its MS has played a crucial Seizing the momentum, on the 25–26 February, the ACP participated in this event. role in the response to the Ebola outbreak. WEU supported countries organized a Health Ministerial conference to On 4 June 2015, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General WHO global efforts to mobilize the international community reflect on the ACP cooperation on health in the context of delivered a speech at the EP External Affairs’ Committee on Furthermore, WEU in coordination with WHO/Europe and in the response ensuring updates and communication on the post–2015 development agenda. WEU was invited to the occasion of the launch of the 2015 Iraq Humanitarian headquarters, provided input in the EU Implementation Plan of developments. deliver a presentation on the Ebola response and preventive Response Plan (HRP) - an appeal for funding in response to this the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid,35 a key political measures in West Africa. WEU provided input to the ministerial humanitarian and health crisis. reference document on the EU’s approach to humanitarian aid. Collaboration with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of declaration which was adopted32. On this declaration, ministries States (ACP) emphasised the need to strenthening health systems to prevent future epidemics like Ebola. ACP Secretariat in Brussels has been instrumental in the set up of an international response to the Ebola outbreak. The Secretariat organised several important conferences. Chapter III. Driving the Health Research Agenda Chapter IV. Promoting health within the UN system

Driving the Health Research Agenda Promoting health within the UN system

Promoting health and well-being is key to achieving

Within the framework of the work plan of the 2011 Health ■ Assessment of complex treatment pathways and progress across all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Programme, the European Commission requested WHO/ combinations WHO and the UN house have worked closely with the Europe to carry out a study to identify priorities for a research ■ Associations between patient characteristics and European Union to ensure access to health by providing agenda on health economic evaluation (RAHEE)36,37. The RAHEE outcomes project, implemented by the WEU in 2013-2015, outlined safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all. This the existing health economic evidence on the 10 conditions The project execution has been supported by input from strong partnership, ranging from technical cooperation to responsible for the highest burden of disease in the EU and a panel of eight internationally recognized experts in valuable dialogue on health policies, will be critical to save made recommendations to the EC on how to address the health economics. The experts convened three times knowledge gaps identified. The project drew on expertise from over the course of the project to provide input to the and improve the lives of people around the world. across the EU, with partners in Belgium, England, France, Italy, overall methodology, assess progress of the work and the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. finally, to help integrating the recommendations of a Barbara Pesce-Monteiro Director of the United Nations Representation Office in Brussels high-level expert panel convened as part of the project Main recommendations for the EU in the field of health implementation in the final report. economics research and practice are: The UN team in Belgium comprises 25 specialized agencies, month in 2015 had its own theme. The themes coincided The EC was actively participating in the process and funds and programmes covering the range of UN humanitarian (often) with international days. April theme was dedicated ■ Understanding how cost-effectiveness thresholds should be represented in the different meetings. The outcomes and and development, human rights and peace and security to health and WEU created a website https://europa. determined main findings of this research are expected to be taken into agencies. eu/eyd2015/en/who in which different stories, pictures, ■ Increasing use of real-world data as opposed to purely clinical account by the EC when defining future research calls for videos and articles related to the work of the organization trial data proposals on this issue. WHO works with the UN team at different levels and on were posted. The story From the migration front line: ■ Engaging early with health technology assessment agencies different platforms and topics to promote health within the UN interview with a Lampedusa doctor38 was drafted in to improve chances new therapies will be assessed for their system. For example, WHO has contributed to the UN position cooperation with the WHO/EURO PHAME project in April cost-effectiveness paper on migration in November 2015. 2015 and the article also featured on the WHO/EURO’s ■ Standardization of economic models to improve re-use and website. transferability European Year for Development (EYD) - 2015 was the year in which the MDGs ended and the international community WEU also co-curated the Twitter account of the European agreed on the future SDG agenda. To mark this moment, the Year for Development of DG DEVCO (https://twitter.com/ EU declared 2015 the European Year for Development. eyd2015 ) in April and health issues linked to the work of the organization, as well as MDGs were promoted through WHO has been an active contributor to the European Year of this channel. Development in cooperation with other UN agencies. Every Chapter IV. Promoting health within the UN system 36

UN Day - Every year, UN agencies in Brussels join to celebrate climate change and health, WEU informed the general public the anniversary of the UN in partnership with the Ville de about the Ebola outbreak and the emergency response to the Bruxelles. With over 3000 visitors, this was a great opportunity crisis. Environmental factors are responsible for nearly a quarter of the global burden of to raise awareness about the activities and the people of WHO. UN Day 2015 - http://undaybrussels.org/ On Sunday 25 disease. Therefore, it will be crucial to protect and improve our environment to UN Day 2014 - http://www.unbrussels.org/un-day-2014. October 2015, UN Day commemorated the founding of implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As an example, html This edition of UN DAY 2014 focused on green cities, the organization in 1945 “70 Years -We the peoples-. WEU UNEP and WHO are working closely together to prepare for the high-level showcasing how people can integrate the fight for sustainable developed different material to illustrate some of the greatest development and against climate change within their daily achievements of the organization and the importance of segment of the 2nd United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi in May work. In addition to promoting WHO programmes in relation to vaccination as a public health tool. 2016, where environment ministers and representatives from all parts of the globe will debate the theme “Healthy environment - healthy people”.

Ulf Bjornholm-Ottosson Head of the United Nations Environment Programme Liaison Office to the European Union

Credit: Elliot Moscowitz

UN day in Brussels, Grand Place Chapter IV. Integrated communications

Integrated communications Social media: reaching the Brussels based public health community

In March 2015 WEU launched the Twitter account “WHOatEU” to amplify WHO health messages to key EU stakeholders.

Social media activities have been incorporated in the daily In the biennium 2014–2015, WEU communication activities have supported WHO regional and outreach efforts of the office and in support of regional and global advocacy efforts by informing in a timely manner on EU developments and by convening global health campaigns addressing for instance vaccines, AMR, tobacco, Ebola outbreak, TB, malaria, air pollution, nutrition, WHO messages to Brussels based audiences. NCDs, SDGs, migration and health.

@WHOatEU is followed by a large number of institutional Internal communications voices including the EC official accounts (@EU_health, @Food_EU, @eu_echo, etc.), Commission officials WEU develops different communication tools to ensure that Last, an agenda with EU institutional meetings and related (@V_Andriukaitis etc.), MEPs (@MAC_MEPs, WHO colleagues are informed on EU developments. WEU documents on health related matters is also distributed at the @LindaMcAvanMEP,); EP Committees (@Europarl_EN, produces a weekly newsletter based on thorough monitoring of beginning of each week permitting a timely follow-up of policy @EP_Environment) but also by key stakeholders, think tanks, Council, EC, EP, EU agencies and key stakeholders’ activities and development at EU level. bloggers, academia, health experts or UN agencies. policies. This information is gathered through desk research, participation at events and conversations with stakeholders. WEU utilizes both the event calendar as well as the newsletter

The weekly newsletter is circulated to a mailing list of over 200 as a flagging tool for important upcoming topics needing closer 1500 people including WHO senior management, Brussels health attention by other WHO units. 1226 attachés and EC high-level officials. 1200 A digital newsletter with additional features that will allow for 1051 951 more interaction with its readership is being developed. WEU also collects information about upcoming events 900 826 organized in Brussels by the EU institutions and by relevant 719 605 stakeholders thus allowing for a detailed weekly overview 600 of activities, events and conferences. This information is 476 distributed together with the weekly newsletter. The list of 315 300 191 events is discussed among WEU staff during the weekly team 129 meeting to organize WEU’s participation, as appropriate. 0 Mar-15 APR-15 MAY-15 JUN-15 JUL-15 AUG-15 SEP-15 OCT-15 NOV-15 DEC-15

WHOatEU Twitter account followers base growth. Chapter VI. Our people

Our people WEU office team Internship programme

WEU is currently composed of 6 staff members and 2 WEU has put in place an internship programme for recent consultants. graduates to work alongside professionals in their field for a period of three to a maximum six months. Formal cooperation The Brussels team include long-serving WHO staff members, was established with a number of institutions, including the many of which have a multiple duty station history. The longest European Medical Students Association (EMSA), Luiss Guido serving staff member (at WEU office) has 14 years of service, Carli University (Rome), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore followed by a colleague who just completed 10 years. Other (Rome), or the Flanders Department of Foreign Affairs. There team members have joined over the last few years, with WEU’s is also an understanding with the Dutch Government to train most recent recruit in October 2015. young professionals in an international institution, as part of their induction programme. WEU complemented its work force by recruiting the services of three consultants to cover a total of 19 man months in order WEU has welcomed 26 interns in the period 2014-2015. The to enhance communication activities from 2014 to the end interns provide valuable assistance to the technical officers of 2015, provide logistics support for the organization of the working in health systems, communicable diseases, NCDs, European Development Days in 2015 and support the work of emergency and response, health through the life-course, the office with research and analysis. communication and outreach activities as well as administration and management. The interns have been fully integrated into the team and conducted policy research, scientific journals review, analysis and communication.

WEU interns, with their enthusiasm and professionalism were essential for the fulfilment of WEU mandates and objectives. We thank their energy, ideas and spirit for innovation.

Roberto Bertollini Chief Scientist and WHO Representative to the EU

From left to right: Sofia Ribero, Patricia Lamas Sanchez, Maria Teresa Marchetti, Stephane Vandam, Ine Mortelmans, Gesine Knolle, Roberto Bertollini. Chapter VI. Our people 42

Office team (in alphabetical order as of 31/12/2015) Interns (as of 31December 2015) Staff members ■ Peter Grabitz ■ Kristina Belikova ■ Ilaria Lucibello ■ Lucrezia Cassetti ■ Sofiana Ntokou ■ Lauren Crosby ■ Richard Tran ■ Serena de Jonge ■ Nicolas Verheylewegen ■ Renata Gili ■ Anny Yu ■ Peter Grabitz ■ Hadi Jbaily Former members of the office team ■ Sylvain Jonckheere ■ Sumudu Karunaratna Former staff members ■ Jeni Ketheswaran ■ Fatima Ludin, Programme Assistant ■ Ilaria Lucibello ■ Sofie Maes, M.D, Programme Officer ■ Laura Moreno Roberto Bertollini, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Masoud Dara, M.D., Medical Officer/ Gesine Knolle, Communications and Maria Teresa Marchetti, Technical ■ David Tordrup, Research Fellow ■ André Peralta Scientist & WHO representative to the EU Policy Officer Officer Programme manager ■ Sofiana Ntokou Consultants ■ Sofia Ribero ■ Alexandra Cogels, Event Coordinator ■ Perrine Seron ■ Anna-Maria Leoutsi, External Affairs Officer ■ Andrea Silenzi ■ Sanne Staes, Administrative Assistant ■ Sanne Staes ■ Elfi Vanorbeek, Administrative Assistant ■ Richard Tran ■ Daniel van Bentem Full list of WEU interns 2014-2015 (in alphabetical order) ■ Tim van Veen ■ Sture Alne ■ Nicolas Verheylewegen ■ Allira Attwill ■ Anny Yu ■ Arnaud Bayle

Ine Mortelmans, Administrative Stéphane Vandam, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Public Health Officer

Consultants

Patricia Lamas Sanchez, Consultant - André Peralta, M.D., Researcher Sofia Ribeiro, M.D., consultant - External Relations Public Health Chapter VI. Our people 44

WEU STAFF BY MONTH AND TYPE OF CONTRACT WEU INTERNS BY MONTH

14 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 12 2014 10 223323234356 8

Total number of employees Total 0 Jul Jul Oct Oct Apr Apr Jan Jan Jun Jun Feb Feb Nov Nov Sep Sep Dec Dec Aug Aug Mar Mar May May

2014 2015 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2015 635567435676

Permanent Secondee Temporary Consultant Intern - interns Chapter VI. Our people 46

INTERNS BACKGROUND CAREER DEVELOPMENT FORMER WEU INTERNS

Specializing MD 7 Political Science / European Studies Economics Health Sciences / Medicine Other

Consultant 4

Student Master | PhD 3

Corporate Organizations 2

Government | Public Organizations 2

International Organization Communications Health Non-communicable Communicable Administration Research Development 1 Systems disease disease and Innovation and cooperation Chapter VI. Our people 48

Journal club components take place during the first two weeks of a new arrival to the office for a total time of approximately one and The Journal Club was initiated in 2015 to discuss emerging a half days. All participants are invited to fill in an evaluation public health issues of relevance for WHO work. It also form, whose analysis will contribute to the improvement of the helps WEU interns become more familiar with the scientific programme. methodology applied to public health and to critical thinking. In 2015, a total of six interns and one new staff member have Staff and interns were invited to choose a scientific paper or a benefitted from the induction programme. topic relevant for the office due to its impact in public health policy and prepare a short presentation critically evaluating the Training research methodology, the findings and identify shortcomings. The actual Journal Club initiative is not limited to WEU team WEU, in view of the launch of its twitter account @WHOatEU members, but has also benefitted from video conference and its increasing presence in social media, developed a set of presentations done by WHO colleagues in country offices on guidelines on social media based on the global and regional their work, or the presentation of results from PhD research. guidelines. Specific training on social media was delivered by an external expert in March 2015 with the aim to help staff and In 2015 alone, a total of 13 presentations were made on topics interns to implement social media tactics in their daily working ranging from alcohol consumption, health inequalities, access life. to innovative medicines and TB. Of those, 10 focused on the discussion of a scientific article published in a high-impact peer Training on public affairs and advocacy was also organized with reviewed journal and three used other sources of information an external communications agency for the staff and interns including PhD thesis. All presentations were followed by an during a team development day in December 2015. A total of active discussion. 19 participants joined the training.

Induction Programme Safety and security

The induction programme was initiated in August 2015 and Security has been a hot topic in Brussels during 2015, with aimed at providing newcomers and interns with an overview of increased awareness of vulnerability during the last months the procedures and staff at the office, and also a short overview of the year. Under the guidance of UNDSS who executed of European institutions and European public health, as well as two visits to the UN premises in Belgium, several actions for providing training in social media and in the corporate image improving the safety of UN staff and WHO staff in particular of WHO. were taken, with effective reinforcements of the offices and building. WEU is using a group via the WhatsApp platform to Several members of staff are involved in delivering this communicate quickly between all members of the office team. programme with the aim to help newcomers accommodate This has proven effective during the Brussels lockdown at the to the rhythm and tasks of the WHO environment. Several end of November 2015. 50

References

1 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/2015_who_euro_ 15 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2003_report_en.pdf Stuckler, Martin McKee, Anna B Gilmore, BMJ journal Tobacco cooperation_en.pdf accessed on 27.01.2016 16 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2002_report_en.pdf Control, Feb 2015 (http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/ 2 European Commission, The EU explained: EU Health Policy, 17 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2001_report_en.pdf early/2015/02/06/tobaccocontrol-2014-051919 accessed 2014 accessed on 27.01.2016 http://bookshop.europa.eu/en/ 18 http://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_international/ 13.01.2016) public-health-pbNA0614046/downloads/NA-06-14-046-EN-C/ documents/minutes_1sthighlevel_ec-who.pdf 30 http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/ NA0614046ENC_002.pdf?FileName=NA0614046ENC_002. 19 http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020/pdf/contributions/ tobacco/news/news/2013/09/do-tobacco-control-measures- pdf&SKU=NA0614046ENC_PDF&CatalogueNumber=NA-06- whoinputpublicconsultationontheeurope2020strategy.doc reduce-tobacco-use-evidence-from-research-and-practice 14-046-EN-C on 27.01.2015 20 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/sites/echo-site/files/2015_ 31 Presentation by Stéphane Vandam, M.D, MPH, WHO at 3 Exchange of letters between the World Health Organization Consensus_Implementation_Plan_en.pdf the ACP can be found here http://www.acp.int/content/ and the European Commission concerning the consolidation 21 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/public-consultation-eu-acp- presentations-2nd-meeting-acp-ministers-health-and-senior- and intensification of cooperation - Memorandum concerning new-partnership_en health-officials-2e-reunion-acp-de (accessed 29.02.2016) the framework and arrangements for cooperation between 22 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/ 32 Information about the Ministerial Conference can be found the World Health Organization and the European Commission; video?event=20141105-0900-COMMITTEE-ENVI here : http://www.acp.int/content/spotlight-ebola-post-2015- Official Journal of the European Communities of 4/1/2001 23 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/ development-agenda-acp-health-ministers-meeting (2001/C 1/04), pages 1-7; http://eurlex.europa.eu/legal-content/ video?event=20141105-1500-COMMITTEE-ENVI 33 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=- EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.C_.2001.001.01.0007.01.ENG 24 http://europarltv.europa.eu/en/player.aspx?pid=89103093- %2F%2FEP%2F%2FTEXT%2BIM-PRESS%2B20140922IPR6720 4 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/moscow_declaration.pdf 57bd-4725-ac9d-a3d80098cd8d 8%2B0%2BDOC%2BXML%2BV0%2F%2FEN&language=EN 5 http://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/press- 25 http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/communicable- 34 http://audiovisual.europarl.europa.eu/Assetdetail. releases/2010/09/who-and-european-commission-adopt-joint- diseases/poliomyelitis/news/news/2015/06/who-calls-on- aspx?id=1a9a0716-b73f-4273-8af0-a3da00e9c195 declaration european-parliament-to-increase-political-commitment-to- 35 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/sites/echo-site/files/2015_ 6 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/2015_who_euro_ immunization Consensus_Implementation_Plan_en.pdf accessed on cooperation_en.pdf 26 WHO’s presentation can be accessed here http://www. 27.01.2016 7 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/events/ev_20150220_en.htm emeeting.europarl.europa.eu/committees/agenda/201511/ENVI/ 36 Research Priorities for the EU co-funded by the European 8 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/events/ev_20130607_en.htm ENVI(2015)119_1P/sitt-1399807 viewed on 1.11.2016 Commission Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive 9 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/events/ev_20120307_en.htm 27 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/committees/ Agency (CHAFEA), contribution agreement 2011 53 02. 10 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/events/ev_20100913_en.htm video?event=20151109-1500-COMMITTEE-ENVI 37 More information about the RAHEE project can be found in 11 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2008_report_en.pdf 28 http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ the following link http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_ 12 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2007_report_en.pdf STUD/2015/569972/IPOL_STU(2015)569972_EN.pdf file/0015/302055/RAHEE-Leaflet.pdf accessed on 3.09.2016 13 http://ec.europa.eu/health/eu_world/docs/som2006_report_en.pdf 29 The revision of the 2014 European Tobacco Products 38 https://europa.eu/eyd2015/en/who/stories/migration-and-health 14 http://ec.europa.eu/health/archive/ph_international/ Directive: an analysis of the tobacco industry’s attempts documents/minutes_4ththighlevel_ec-who.pdf to‘ break the health silo’, Silvy Peeters,Hélia Costa, David 52

Acronyms

ACP African, Caribbean, and Pacific Group of States EC European Commission JPO Junior Professional Officer AFET Committee European Parliament Foreign Affairs ECDC European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control MDGs United Nations Millennium Development Goals Committee EDD European Development Days MEP Member of the European Parliament CHAFEA European Commission’s Consumer, Health and Food EEAS European External Action Service NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization Executive Agency EMA European Medicines Agency NCDs Noncommunicable Diseases COP21 The 21rst United Nations Climate Change Conference EMSA European Medical Students Association OLAF European Anti-Fraud Office Council Council of the European Union ENVI Committee European Parliament Committee on the PHAME Project Public Health Aspects of Migration in Europe DEVE Committee European Parliament Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety RAHEE Research Agenda for Health Economic Evaluation Development EP European Parliament SDGs Sustainable Development Goals DG CLIMA European Commission’s Directorate-General for EPHA European Public Health Alliance S&D Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats Climate Action EPP European People`s Party (Christian Democrats) SFP Smoke Free Partnership DG CONNECT European Commission`s Directorate General for EU European Union SOM Senior Officials’ Meeting Communications Networks, Content & Technology EVAP European Vaccination Action Plan 2015-2020 TPD Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and the DG DEVCO European Commission’s Directorate-General EVD Ebola Virus Disease Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, Development and Cooperation EYD European Year for Development regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States DG ECHO European Commission`s Directorate-General for FAFA Financial and Administrative Framework Agreement concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection between the European Community and the United Nations and related products and repealing Directive 2001/37/EC DG ENVIRONMENT European Commission`s Directorate-General FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations UN United Nations for the Environment FNAP Food and Nutrition Action Plan 2015-2020 UNDP United Nations Development Programme DG RTD European Commission’s Directorate-General for FCTC World Health Organization Framework Convention on UNDSS United Nations Department of Safety and Security Research & Innovation Tobacco Control UNEP United Nations Environment Programme DG SANTE European Commission’s Directorate General for HOA Head of Agency UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Health and Food Safety HRP Humanitarian Response Plan Refugees in the Near East DG TRANSPORT European Commission`s Directorate General IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer WEU The World Health Organization Office at the European Union for Mobility and Transport IDP Internally Displaced Person WHO World Health Organization EU European Union IHR International Health Regulations WHO Europe World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe

World Health Organization Office at the European Union 14 Rue Montoyer BE-1000 Brussels Belgium +32-(0) 2-506.46.60 +32-2-506.46.66 [email protected] @WHOatEU