Aiming for Prevention

PrepCom to the Review Conference to Consider the Implementation of the Programme of Action on Small Arms and LIght Weapons (UNPoA)

United Nations
January 9-20, 2006
Highlights of the
IPPNW and IANSA Public Health Network
activities include:

• Organized and conducted a Public Health Network special session attended by about 35 conference delegates, UN representatives, and NGOs which was sponsored by the government of Canada. Speakers included IPPNW Drs. Emperatriz Crespin, Robert Mtonga, and Dr. Vic Sidel, as well as speakers from the World Health Organization, IANSA board, and the Canadian delegation. Dr. Sidel introduced his new book the "Global Gun Epidemic" which was officially launched a few days later. The excellent presentations under the theme "Prescriptions for Prevention: A Health and Human-Centered Approach to Reducing Armed Violence" sparked some spirited discussion and questions, and helped inform a position paper on the same topic to be circulated to the states between now and the Review Conference in July.
  
  
• Developed a position paper on health and the UNPoA that outlines specific actions that States should take to incorporate health education, research and advocacy into National Action Plans, and sought country sponsors for it. Canada has provisionally agreed to sponsor it, as has Norway. We are currently seeking sponsors from the Global South.
  
  
• Educated delegation members and lobbied for the public health message to be included in delegate presentations. For example, a statement we prepared for the delegation from Mexico was read into the record by them at a thematic discussion session, and prompted a range of other health related comments from other states. We also distributed information on why public health is an important approach to mitigating the armed violence crisis.
  
  
• Educated other NGOs on the need for public health participation in the UN Programme of Action, and participated in twice daily strategy sessions with over 50 others from the IANSA network, as well as several evening events.
  
  
• Convened several PHN strategy meetings with to develop plans for the Public Health Network for 2007.
  

The PrepCom leads up to the very important UNPoA Review Conference scheduled for the end of June/early July 2006. We thank in particular the Foreign Affairs Canada for support for these activities.

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Posted: Feb 7, 2006