There is an urgent need to address the linkages between these problems and to forge a more comprehensive understanding of the emerging challenges, as well as their interconnected impacts, while developing an innovative perspective. Against this backdrop, the GEPP Policy Dialogues are designed to create a platform for trans-disciplinary and cross-sectoral debate by convening globally renowned thinkers, academics and scientists with the Geneva public and private actors aiming to generate a community of learning and practice.
Policy Dialogue 1
(by invitation only)
Millennium Development Goals: Measuring progress towards social justice
WHO Headquarters, Geneva, 24th April 2012
)
This Policy Dialogue will be organized in partnership with the World Health Organization in Geneva. It will consider the potential for giving a higher profile to health in the debate and follow-up to the Rio+20 Conference. The reason for this is that health has not been a high priority during the last 20 years despite its pivotal place in the Rio Declaration adopted in 1992. This Policy Dialogue will consider how synergies between health and other priorities, such as renewable energy consumption, or the green economy, can be strengthened by reconsidering the Millennium Development Goals . It is argued that measurable health targets can be a useful way of reforming governance on sustainable development because health indicators are good measures of social progress to reduce inequalities and inequity.
In the context of the upcoming Rio+20 Conference, the aim of the Policy Dialogue is to discuss the opportunity for a shift to a green economy and the policy frameworks needed to implement it. A closer look at the Millennium Development Goals will also give the opportunity to assess the relevance of launching new Sustainable Development Goals in Rio.
What are the achievements and shortcomings of the Millennium Development Goals?
How can the monitoring of MDGs be enlarged to measure progress towards social justice?
Which lessons should be learnt from the MDGs for the forthcoming Sustainable Development Goals?
The policy dialogue will be chaired by Doctor Carlos Dora (Department of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organization, Geneva). Two invited speakers will set the framework by 15-20 minute presentations.
The first speaker will be Madam Anne Hassberger (Regional Health Advisor for Eastern Europe, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Bern) who will present a review of the Millennium Development Goals from the perspective of Switzerland.
The second speaker will be Professor Jaya Krishnakumar (Department of Economics, University of Geneva) who has a strong social-economic concern for measuring and addressing inequity and social justice.
Agenda
18.00 Welcome
18.15-19.00 Introduction by Chair
Presentations by each speaker
19.00-20.00 Policy dialogue and discussion with the audience
20.00 Cocktail
Location
World Health Organization, Avenue Appia 20, Geneva