Eurocare delegation participates in WHO - NGO meeting 24-25 November 2008

24-25 November 2008, Geneva.A total of 23 organizations from around the world, attended the roundtable meeting in Geneva. The main objective of the meeting was to explore the ways in which nongovernmental organizations and professional associations can contribute to reducing harmful use of alcohol and support the development, implementation and monitoring of strategies and programs aimed at the reduction of alcohol-related harm. In addition, the meeting was intended to explore possible ways for a more structured interaction at global level between WHO Secretariat and NGOs.

The following topics were on the agenda for discussion: Advocacy, Health sector response, community action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, drink-driving policies and countermeasures, Harm reduction, Addressing marketing of alcoholic beverages, reducing the public health impact of illegal and informal alcohol.

Statements were made by the following organisations: Eurocare, IOGT International, GAPA, APYN, Alcohol Anonymous, The Canadian Centre on substance Abuse, the World Medical Association, International Federation of medical Students Associations, International Society of Addiction Medicine.

Timeline

• October – 15 November 2008 Public web based consultation – around 350 contributions.
• 6 November 2008 Consultation with economic operators
• 24-25 November 2008 Consultation with NGOs and health professionals – the report from the meeting will be available on the WHO website.
• February – April 2009 There will be technical collaboration and consultations with Member States on the draft Global Strategy.
• September 2009 – the draft Global Strategy will go to translation
• January 2010 – Executive Board
• May 2010 – World Health Assembly