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World Health Organisation embraces social work in learning about community engagement

Information Type: NewsTopic: IFSW

November 25, 2024

Photo: Authors of the paper with members of the advisory group and discussion panel in Doha at the World Innovation Summit for Health.

Earlier this year the World Health Organisation reached out to IFSW for assistance in learning about engaging communities. The Federation responded by gathering practitioners at the frontline of bridging health authorities and communities to form mutual partnerships.

An IFSW focus group that brought together experienced practitioners from all the world’s regions gave high-level advice and examples on genuine approaches to co-building partnerships. This included a list of skills required by health authorities on how to recognise and work with community leaders in diverse communities. IFSW also stressed that authorities need to see people holistically rather than as bearers of illness of disease. In line with the People’s Charter, the Federation further stressed the need for an agreement to co-design, co-produce, co-learn and co-evaluate at all stages in partnerships.

The IFSW contribution concluded that engagement is an ongoing process that requires time, commitment, and resources for all sides, noting that the state is responsible for financial resourcing.

Much of the IFSW contribution was included in a paper released last week at the World Innovation Summit for Health in Doha. IFSW Secretary-General Rory Truell, who was an advisor to the paper, co-facilitator of the focus group and present at the paper’s release in Doha, commented:

It is wonderful to see that the paper acknowledges the names of the IFSW focus group members and that there is a specific section on the social work contribution. But more importantly, this paper and the social work contribution are part of a revolutionary change taking place in health. Health policymakers are at the beginning stages of recognising what we, social workers, have valued for decades: That prevention is better than cure; that people, families and communities are the strongest resource, and rather than building services that inadvertently strip people of their skills confidence as first healers, new services need to be co-build with people. A new model of health is beginning to be envisaged where communities are actively engaged and can prioritise their own health concerns, their own role in addressing their concerns. IFSW will continue to work with the WHO in this process of transformation. It will take a while, but all the work will be worth it.

To read or download the paper ‘Relationality in Community Engagement: Its Role in Humanizing Health and Achieving Quality Integrated Health Services’ presented last week at the World Innovation Summitt for Health, click here: https://wish.org.qa/research-reports/?node_id=7164

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Language: EnglishCommission: United Nations

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