The World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific is hosting its first Health Futures Forum: Shaping the Future of Health, from 24 to 26 August 2021.
People in the Western Pacific Region and around the world are looking at how our health systems can emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic fit for future challenges. Future-proofing health systems requires us to consider multiple possible versions of the future – a process known as futures thinking or strategic foresight.
During the three-day virtual event, health and policy experts as well as regional and global futurists will identify possible and preferred futures for health, well-being and health systems in the Region and how to work towards them. The programme includes keynote speeches, panel discussions, roundtable discussions and opportunities for audience questions and comments.
For Member States, partners, stakeholders and anyone interested in futures thinking, the Health Futures Forum is an opportunity to consider how foresight and strategic planning can further strengthen health systems in the Region. A wide variety of speakers will identify and explore today’s challenges and opportunities – across society, technology, economics and more - to build resilient health systems that anticipate tomorrow’s health needs.
The Health Futures Forum has three aims.
- Imagine: The Audience is encouraged to imagine possible futures, and understand the dimensions of change that are shaping them, ensuring that health and well-being is a central focus.
- Advocate: The Forum aims to raise the profile of futures-oriented policy and advocate for the use of futures thinking for future-proofing health in the Region.
- Establish: The Forum also aims to establish futures and foresight methodologies as tools for improved and strengthened health systems and health outcomes in the Region.
Speakers include:
- Prateeksha Singh: Head of Experimentation, United Nations Development Programme Asia Pacific Regional Innovation Centre
- Kristin Alford: Director, Museum of Discovery at the University of South Australia
Join us in envisioning the future of health, well-being and health systems in the Western Pacific.
WHO’s Health Futures Forum is open to the public. For full details of the programme and speakers, go to www.healthfuturesforum.com