Now, more than ever, the health of children is threatened by changing environments. Our health systems face increasing challenges, from socio-economic and gender inequalities to extreme climatic events, which must be met with an effective environmental health agenda.

At the Fifth Ministerial Conference on environment and health, held in Italy early next month (March 10-12), Ministers of health and the environment, experts and non-governmental organisations from the 53 WHO European countries will gather to discuss progress on the Environment and Health process in Europe; children’s environmental health; inequalities in environment and health and the health effects of climate change; as well as other emerging issues such as nanotechnology and endocrine disrupters.

Health delegation

HEAL alongside member organisations, Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and the International Society of Doctors for the Environment (ISDE), and in conjunction with Eco Forum, have been closely involved in this process up to Parma and are coordinating the participation of representatives from the health and environment community from across the European region. Throughout three day conference there will be exhibitions, side events and an award ceremony celebrating good practice in environment and health (CEHAPE Awards). An NGO strategy meeting will be held on March 9, as well as daily briefings.

Background to Parma

The presence of experts and NGOs is of crucial importance to drive Europe’s agenda on emerging environmental health challenges for the years to come.

At the beginning of January of this year, more than 100 representatives of member states, IGOs, NGOs and other organisations came to the final round of negotiations of the draft ministerial declaration and Commitment to Act in Bonn. The final declaration text is expected to be adopted by all 53 environment and health ministers during the Parma Ministerial Conference and is available in English, French, German and Russian.

Countries will also discuss how to ensure that the environment and health process and structures are reformed to increase political support and impact as outlined in the document entitled The Future of the ’European Environment and Health Process’.

Sascha Gabizon (WECF) representing Eco Forum on behalf of the environmental NGOs (sascha.gabizon@wecf.eu) and Genon Jensen, representing Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) on behalf of the health NGOs (genon@env-health.org) attended the EEHC meeting, and the Ministerial Declaration drafting group meeting in Bonn.

Action at Parma

 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards

On the morning of Thursday 11th March we will be announcing the winners of our 2nd Awards Competition on good projects for Children’s Environmental Health. Children’s health continues to be a leading concern; their health is at risk from a changing environment. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards will highlight inspiring and innovative projects, from around the European region, that promote children’s environment and health.

The winning entries will be exhibited during the conference. The 2nd CEHAPE Awards have been developed jointly by WECF, HEAL, ISDE Austria and European Eco Forum, and are sponsored by the governments of Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the Belgian joint-interministerial Conference on Environment and Health and supported by the European Commission.

Side events

HEAL and WECF will also host two side events on Wednesday Morning 10th of March.

 Young people’s role in environment and health

HEAL together with the CEHAPE Youth Network will showcase good examples of youth participation.

 The Right to Safe Water and Sanitation in School

WECF together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will address how best to implement and finance safe water and sanitation in particular for rural schools in the EECCA region following the Protocol on Water and Health.

The programme includes panel debates and discussions with representatives of the Water & Health Protocol financial instrument (AHPFM), the United Nations Development Programme, the World Health Organisation Europe, Ministries of Environment and Health for the EU-EECCA region, science and civil society.

 Showcasing NGOs contributions to environment and health HEAL will host an interactive exhibition highlighting its advocacy work and that of its members and other health NGO statekeholders in Europe since the Budapest Ministerial conference.

 Toxic-free

WECF will host a Nesting Exhibition, providing an overview of their Project Nesting - run by partners in eight European countries. More information here.

 Respiratory health

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) will be highlighting current environmental influences and policy frameworks on children’s respiratory health as part of their wider initiative – 2010 Year of the Lung during a side event on March 10th.

 Child Injury

WHO regional office of Europe will be hosting as side event on childhood injury, including presentations from the European Commission and HEAL member – European Child Safety Alliance. The event will highlight the magnitude and burden of childhood injury and proven evidence - based measures to reduce their impact.

Beyond Parma

The March HEAL newsletter will feature a full progress report from the ministerial conference as well as information and news from the 2nd CEHAPE Good Practice Awards and the various side events.