El Paso, TX, 5 November 2012 (PAHO/WHO) The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the International Ecoclubs Network signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in order to promote the use of knowledge management and communication tools, for the purpose of fostering the virtual exchange among the leaders of this youth and children movement committed to improve the quality of life of the population of their locality.
The
MOU was presented within the framework of the International Summit of
Ecoclubs in the Americas that took place from October 31 to November 1
in El Paso, Texas, and that was chaired jointly by the director of
PAHO/WHO, Dr. Mirta Roses Periago.
This
instrument also will serve to strengthen the collaboration between the
two organizations and develop a work plan for face-to-face and virtual
collaboration among the leaders of Ecoclubs of the Americas and the
focal points of PAHO/WHO. Among the objectives of the MOU include:
cooperate and collaborate in the areas of water, hygiene and health,
climate change, health promotion, sexual and reproductive health and
achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, among others.
Dr.
Roses proposed to work with a single platform of information and
knowledge management where everything can be done: build a network, to
link the social capital, the bank of experiences, and to manage to share
experiences, and strengthen its organization. The recommendation and
offer of support was well received by the representatives of the
Ecoclubs, who shaped the information and knowledge management as one of
the lines of action of its joint strategic plan.
The
theme of the International Summit of Ecoclubs was proposed for a
greater influence on the local matters of environmental health in North
and Central America, and the Caribbean. The encounter brought together
representatives of the network of this movement of the entire American
hemisphere: Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, Honduras,
Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, and the United States. Moreover, thanks
to the use of the information and communication technologies,
representatives of Ecoclubs of other countries were able to participate.
The
Ecoclub in the area of El Chamizal is the first of the United States
and now the National Network of Ecoclubs in the United States is part of
the network integrated by 38 countries. Its purpose is to improve the
quality of life, contribute to the well-being of its community, develop
leadership skills in the young people, and promote the health of boys,
girls, young adults, and adolescents. The Ecoclub is an independent
organization and is governed by the young people of the community where
it operates.
In
turn, Dr. Alfonso Contreras, regional adviser in Health Education and
Social Communication of PAHO/WHO, indicated that the groups as Ecoclubs
are called to also lead the digital revolution of the new communication
technologies, and social networks already permit the young people to
exchange experiences and to make their voices heard in an effective way
as had never been before possible.
The
participants had the opportunity to share experiences, prepare a
strategic plan, and discuss the current challenges of the network of
Ecoclubs. Within the sharing of experiences, there was recognized the
support provided by the Pan American Health Organization, such as the
case of Haiti where the Ecoclubs, in coordination with PAHO, managed to
support the people most affected in the disaster areas and during the
cholera outbreak. Furthermore, they pointed out that tie that managed to
strengthen collaboration among the Ecoclubs of Haiti and of the
Dominican Republic.
Moreover, during the encounter, Dr. Roses received the key to the city of El Paso by the mayor John Cook.
The
Pan American Health Organization, founded in 1902, works with all the
countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of
their peoples. It serves as the Regional Office of the World Health
Organization (WHO). PAHO/WHO United States-Mexico Border Office was
established in 1942, it continues to facilitate and promote border
collaboration with public and private binational institutions and
entities involved in improving the health of the population at the
Border.
Links
Memorandum of Understanding
El Paso delivered the key to the city to the Director of PAHO
Photo gallery
For more information please contact:
Lorely Ambriz, M.S.I.S, Knowledge Management & Communication
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) / A Regional Office of the World
Health Organization (WHO) United States-Mexico Border Office
5400 Suncrest Dr. Ste. C-4 El Paso, TX 79912
Office (915) 845-5950 Ext. 42523 / Cel (915) 449-3040 / Fax (915) 845-4361
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/ www.borderinfo.org