The 14th World Congress on Public Health (WCPH) “Healthy People – Healthy Environment”will be held from February 11 to 15, 2015 in Kolkata, India. Making this announcement at a curtain raiser held here in Delhi, J Chauvin – President WFPHA and Co-Chair 14th WCPH – International Core Organising Committee, said, “The World Congress on Public Health is a unique opportunity for the global public health community to come together to learn from each other and to adopt new, more effective ways to help people improve and protect their health. The World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) is delighted to be associated with the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA) in hosting this important event.”
“Health is everyone’s business. Where we live, where we work, where we play are all important factors that affect our health. The World Congress on Public Health, is a unique opportunity for frontline health workers and decision makers to come together to discuss and learn how we, in partnership with people around the world, can contribute to achieve Health for All”, Chauvin added. He further said, “The theme of the 14th World Congress on Public Health is very timely and pertinent.”Healthy People – Healthy Environment” provides a forum wherein public health professionals from around the world will explore how environments, be they the built environment, the political and legal environment, the socio-cultural environment, the economic and financial environment, our ecosystem environment and the infrastructures society has created, including our health care systems, affect the health and well-being of people, whatever their life circumstances. This will be an exciting event, identifying ways and means to help communities and countries respond to the challenges to achieving Health for All.”
The 2015 Congress will offer unique opportunities to discuss global, and national public health issues among the global public health community and other key stakeholders. It will provide a unique opportunity to help catalyse change, bringing together and bridging perspectives from various disciplines of public health to influence governments, organisations, agencies and institutions around the world to meet the challenge of improving people’s health.
The 14th World Congress on Public Health will be hosted jointly by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) and the Indian Public Health Association (IPHA). In keeping with the tradition, youth participation will be a key element of the Kolkata Congress. Participants of the congresses include delegates from public health associations of the world, as well as representatives from the public and private sectors, representatives from public health related sectors and NGOs based in member states of the World Federation of Public Health Associations.
The key themes of the plenary sessions will be:
Stream 1: Defining the role of Public Health in today’s global setting
Stream 2: Public Health in the Sustainable Development Agenda
Stream 3: Public Health Approaches to address new challenges ofsustainable development & healthy environment
Stream 4: Global Public Health Challenges
Stream 5: Human Rights and Law as tools for Sustainable Development
Dr. Madhumita Dobe, Organising Secretary 14th WPCH 2015 said on this occasion, “Twelve congresses have taken place so far and the opportunity comes to India after a long hiatus of more than 30 years, during which the global public health scenario has changed with a lot of exciting initiatives. The 14th World Congress on Public Health with its theme of ‘Healthy People-Healthy Environment’- is expected to provide opportunities to the global public health community to get together and deliberate on important issues. It will also serve as a platform to showcase India’s efforts and for sharing knowledge and experiences of public health professionals from over the world. There will be sharing of experiences, knowledge exchanges, debate, discussion and learning about effective policies, programs and best practices in support of the public’s health.”