Experts to analyze progress toward elimination of trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness

By Patricia Skillin | Published 24 May, 2012

Washington, D.C., 11 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — More than 2.2 million people in 53 countries around the world suffer visual impairment, and 1.2 million are permanently blind as a result of trachoma, an infectious disease that primarily affects people living in poor rural areas.

A group of experts working to eliminate the disease by 2020 will meet on May 14–16 at the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Washington, D.C., to evaluate recent progress toward trachoma elimination and to determine next steps to achieve this goal. It is the 16th annual meeting of the WHO Alliance for Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by 2020 (GET 2020) and the first time the meeting has taken place in the Americas.   Continue reading »

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Pan American Forum to promote cross-sector action against non-communicable diseases

By Patricia Skillin | Published 24 May, 2012

 Brasilia, 11 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) — Representatives of the public and private sectors, civil society and academia agreed in Brasilia this week to create strategic alliances involving multiple partners to work together to prevent and control non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Americas.

 Agreement on the multisector alliances was reached during the first working meeting of the Pan American Forum for Action on Non-communicable Diseases (PAFNCDS), held May 8–9. 

 The Pan American Forum is an initiative of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) that tackles the NCD epidemic in the Americas by mobilizing different interest groups to work together to carry out actions for the prevention and control of chronic diseases. More than 250 representatives of governments, private companies, academic institutions and civil society organizations participated in the meeting.  Continue reading »

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Introducing Knowledge Sharing KS Methods and Tools: A Facilitator’s Guide

By Patricia Skillin | Published 23 May, 2012

 

By Allison Hewlitt and Lucie Lamoureux

 Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development as a component of the ENRAP initiative present this tool for Knowledge Sharing workshops and training.

  “…..training to ensure that staff at all levels are familiar with knowledge-sharing and learning processes and tools, and with the appropriate behaviours and attitudes. examples of areas that will be addressed as a priority will be the thematic networks, specific knowledge-sharing and learning tools, and the use of the information technology platform……”

 Available online PDF [132p.] at: http://bit.ly/JpOqEF

  Continue reading »

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Networking can promote knowledge exchange and cooperation on development

By Patricia Skillin | Published 22 May, 2012

Written by Maree Tait on March 21, 2012 for the Development Policy Blog

Networking is a critical mechanism for development. Recent development forums such as the Busan High Level Forum 4 and the G20 meeting in Cannes have highlighted the importance of knowledge flows for more effective development. Development partners around the world converge around the idea that South-South knowledge exchanges can complement traditional forms of development assistance. The big question now is: How can we most effectively implement knowledge exchange?

One notable mechanism for smart knowledge exchange is the Global Development Learning Network(GDLN). [...]

Read more on the Development Policy Blog

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PAHO launches portal to promote cooperation among countries in the Knowledge from the South Fair: Regional Solutions Exchange

By Paulo Leite | Published 11 May, 2012

Panama, May 10, 2012 (PAHO / WHO) – This web portal, a tool for sharing knowledge, information and experiences related to horizontal partnerships and cooperation among countries for health development was launched by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO / WHO) in the Knowledge from the South Fair in Panama. The portal aims to facilitate peer learning and foster collaboration among countries to address common health problems.
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Leaders from all sectors attend first meeting of the Pan American Forum for Action on Non-communicable Diseases

By Patricia Skillin | Published 9 May, 2012

Brasilia, 8 May 2012 (PAHO/WHO) – Health authorities from throughout the Americas are gathering with representatives of civil society, academia and the private sector in Brazil this week for the first meeting of the Pan American Forum for Action on Non-communicable Diseases: “Transforming NCD Declarations into Actions.”

Participants will discuss joint efforts to address the epidemic of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which are responsible for 80 percent of all deaths in the Americas. The Pan American Forum is a platform for information exchange and collaborative action involving all sectors of society. It seeks to create synergies in the development of innovative strategic partnerships to intensify cross-sector collaboration and generate policies and campaigns for prevention and control of NCDs. Continue reading »

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