Sustaining Peace through Health: How can Health Actors Foster Dialogue, Cooperation and Trust?

In this panel, experts and practitioners from the China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the Governor of the Far North Region of Cameroon and Interpeace will explore the pivotal role the health sector can play in building bridges between various stakeholders, especially looking at fragile and conflict-affected settings. 

While the world faces an increasing number of both conflicts and global health challenges - in a context of decreasing Official Development Assistance (ODA) - integrating health and peacebuilding efforts have become more critical than ever.
The panel will explore how health emergency management, health systems, and broader public health initiatives can contribute to peace at multiple levels and from diverse perspectives. Panelists will discuss how health issues and health actors can contribute to fostering cooperation between states; facilitating dialogue and confidence-building between groups; or promoting reconciliation and social cohesion at the community level. They will share practical insights into the use of health diplomacy, the integration of peacebuilding approaches and objectives into health interventions, and the critical role of cross-sectoral collaboration in fostering sustainable peace.

The panel will address specific case studies and examine the role of international organizations, civil society and academic institutions in bridging the gap between health and peace – thus contributing to the UN Sustaining Peace Agenda.