WHO Symposium on Meaningful Engagement of People Living with NCDs, Mental Health and Neurological Conditions

Overview

This report describes the participatory and inclusive approach established by the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) through the Symposium on Meaningful Engagement of People Living with NCDs, Mental Health and Neurological Conditions, convened in preparation for the Fourth United Nations High-level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in 2025. It outlines how inclusive engagement, strategic convening and co-design were put into practice to strengthen the participation and influence of people with lived experience in global health policy discussions.

The report documents the Symposium’s collaborative activities, including the development of shared advocacy messages and opportunities for dialogue with Member States and other stakeholders. It examines achievements and remaining challenges, particularly barriers to equitable participation, institutional constraints on recognizing and remunerating lived experience expertise, and difficulties in measuring the impact of meaningful engagement. The findings are intended to support WHO, governments, civil society and other actors in establishing sustainable participatory mechanisms that integrate lived experience into health policies, programmes and decision-making.