Top officials of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) held a high-level retreat recently to begin developing a new strategic roadmap for improved cooperation between the two organizations.
 
The day-long retreat, held Monday, 18 April 2011, was convened by PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses and PAHEF’s Chairman of the Board, Dr. Benjamin Caballero. Other participants included PAHO’s Deputy Director, Assistant Director and Director of Administration, other key PAHO staff, as well as PAHEF’s Chairman of the Board, four other board members, and the President of PAHEF.  
 
Participants discussed the current environment of resource mobilization and partnerships for global health in the Americas and, more specifically, in the context of the next two-year cycle of PAHO’s budget and program planning process, which must be finalized before the end of 2011. The retreat format was intended to promote open, transparent dialogue. Participants also met in small groups to help define potential mechanisms and processes for this future collaboration, with more focus on the 10-year Health Agenda for the Americas and PAHO’s five-year Strategic Plan.
 
The meeting was the first high-level planning effort of its kind undertaken jointly by PAHO and PAHEF and using a facilitated interest-based-negotiation approach. Ultimately, the new roadmap will better align the two organizations’ work, with an emphasis on the priorities outlined in the Health Agenda of the Americas adopted by the ministers of health of the Region. These efforts should ultimately help benefit the health and well-being of all the peoples of the Americas.

Founded in 1968, the Pan American Health and Education Foundation (PAHEF) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity that works with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other strategic partners in the Americas to mobilize resources and jointly address key health, education, and training priorities. With a deep knowledge of major health concerns and strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region, PAHEF builds successful partnerships and projects that advance health in the Americas.  

www.pahef.org