Since the beginning of Christianity the church has been engaged in health and healing, and remains a key provider of healthcare across the globe. The current global health agenda, the universal health coverage, while ambitious, is necessary and urgent. To ensure impact of the church’s contribution towards UHC there is need for renewed framework of collaboration and dialogue within the ecumenical family and with other organisations, hence formulation of an ecumenical global health strategy.

Background

The World Council of Churches (WCC) held the 1^st consultative meeting on ecumenical global health strategy in Maseru, Lesotho on 27 February 2017, as a preconference at the biennial conference of the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform (ACHAP). Objectives of the first consultation were to:

• reflect on current global health issues and on the role of the ecumenical movement on such health issues;
• prioritise areas on health for concerted action by the ecumenical family; and
• strategize on methods of coordination, communication, collaboration and documentation pertinent to implementation of the ecumenical response.

Objectives of the 2^nd Consultation

Impact objectives:

• The unique contribution of the ecumenical movement to global health issues is reinforced
• The coherence of the ecumenical global health strategy is increased
• WCC’s work on health and healing is strengthened.

Behaviour objectives:

• Ownership of the ecumenical global health strategy is increased among WCC members and partners
• The scope and operational elements of the ecumenical global health strategy are defined and supported
• Collaboration is increased through the intentional contact between participants and global health actors/organisations
• The profile of health and healing work is raised

Learning objectives:

• Exposure to global health organisations
• Intentional networking opportunities with international health organisations
• Achieve consensus on the strategic areas
• Define the elements of operationalizing the strategy
• Increase knowledge of the WCC Strategic Plan and the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace

More information:

WCC to develop Global Ecumenical Health Strategy, starting in Lesotho (WCC press release of 23 February 2017)

Please contact WCC programme executive for Health and Healing Dr Mwai Makoka for more information, at [email protected]