The Minister of Health in Greenland will host a joint seminar on 18–19 September 2024 to advance the development of a comprehensive, evidence-based national alcohol policy for Greenland. This seminar, planned by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with WHO/Europe and the Centre for Public Health in Greenland, marks a significant step in addressing the harmful effects of alcohol consumption, with a special focus on protecting children – noting the importance of first 1000 days of life. The event will provide a platform for key stakeholders, including policy-makers and community leaders, to collaborate on creating a unified approach to reducing alcohol-related harm in Greenland.
“The negative consequences of alcohol are very clear. Alcohol consumption affects all of society and especially our children,” said Agathe Fontain, Minister of Health of Greenland. “We need action on alcohol in the form of an effective and long-term national alcohol policy to ensure a safe upbringing for our children and a safe society for current and future generations where no one is harmed by alcohol.”
The purpose of the seminar is not only to generate recommendations for a long-term alcohol policy but also to foster a collective sense of ownership and responsibility among participants, and to equip decision-makers at a local and national level to make informed decisions once the recommendations are finalized.
Discussions will focus on understanding the societal impact of alcohol, exploring the connections between alcohol and trauma, and looking into the ways in which adult alcohol consumption can violate children’s rights. Participants will explore effective policy measures to tackle harms caused by alcohol and share successful interventions both from Greenland and the rest of the world, with an emphasis on ensuring these solutions are culturally appropriate for Greenland’s context.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
- contribute to the development of recommendations for a national alcohol policy for Greenland
- learn about the impact and consequences of alcohol use on individuals and communities
- exchange knowledge on effective alcohol control measures
- participate in shaping a shared vision for a healthier future for Greenland’s population.
The seminar will be streamed online.
The initiative, instructing the Ministry of Health to present recommendations for a multi-year evidence-based alcohol policy by spring 2025, originates from the Inatsisartut (Parliament of Greenland). The work on alcohol recommendations is carried out by the Ministry of Health in close collaboration with the centre for Public Health in Greenland and WHO/Europe. The development of recommendations is done in a broad collaboration with other departments and sectors, and the goal is to ensure the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.