The World Health Organization’s Global TB Programme is organising a global consultative workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (11-13 November 2015) to enhance the engagement of nongovernmental (NGOs) and other civil society organisations (CSOs) in the implementation of the End TB Strategy in WHO’s member states. The workshop was preceded by an online consultation, concluded on 31 August 2015, which successfully identified critical areas and the main challenges that will be discussed during the workshop
The role of NGOs and CSOs in the implementation of the End TB Strateg
Strengthening the engagement of NGOs, CSOs and communities is essential for a successful implementation of the End TB Strategy and to help reach its ambitious targets to end the global TB epidemic by 2035. The End TB Strategy acknowledges that NGOs and CSOs are critical to facilitate equitable access to high-quality prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of TB without catastrophic costs or social repercussions, while simultaneously ensuring universal health coverage and addressing the social determinants of health. To achieve these goals, a stronger coalition and collaboration between NGOs, CSOs and governments with their National TB Programmes (NTPs) or their equivalents is needed
Inviting NGOs and CSOs to participate in the WHO consultative worksho
NGOs and CSOs do not need to be engaged in any work concerning tuberculosis or even health care generally in order to contribute to and benefit from the upcoming consultative meeting. WHO welcomes the participation of all NGOs and CSOs, whether or not their current portfolio of work includes TB. The workshop will provide for the opportunity to meet a wide range of organisations, WHO staff and senior government staff from Ministries of Health and take back new ideas on how NGO- and CSO-run programmes and projects might help reduce needless suffering and death due to TB.
WHO will facilitate the participation of selected national and local NGOs and CSOs who successfully applied for the limited financial support available. All other NGOs and CSOs are still highly welcome to attend the workshop, but travel, accommodation and per diem expenses will have to be met by the organisations themselves.
If your organisation wishes to participate in the consultative workshop, please let us know until 20 September by sending an email to ENGAGE-TB@who.int. Approximately 100 organisations from around the world are expected to attend this event.
We look forward to your participation in this unique consultation between the Global Tuberculosis Programme of WHO and NGOs and CSOs from around the world.
For background information on the WHO End TB Strategy, visit our web page