Rise like a phoenix – Health at the heart of a resilient future for Europe
Health is having a rare moment in the political spotlight. In its second digital edition, the European Health Forum Gastein explores new ways forward for health to be at the centre of European policymaking to achieve a better future for its citizens. Under the main theme “Rise like a phoenix – Health at the heart of a resilient future for Europe”, stakeholders from all corners will exchange views on how we can rise from the ashes as more resilient, smarter, and more equitable societies.
The Forum has once again stepped up its efforts to provide a unique line-up of more than 125 speakers, including Health Ministers from Austria (Wolfgang Mückstein), Slovenia (Janez Poklular) and Latvia (Daniels Pavļuts); Hans Kluge, World Health Organization Regional Director for Europe; Andrea Ammon and Ahmed Ogwell Ouma, respectively heads of the European and the African Centres for Disease Prevention and Control; Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, now Chair of the Pan-European Commission on Health and Sustainable Development; Sandra Gallina, Director-General of DG SANTE; and various members of the European Parliament.
While the path to recovery holds many challenges
it also offers unique opportunities for renewal and rebirth. This year’s EHFG programme demonstrates that recovery does not start after the COVID-19 response, but with it. While it might still be too early to come up with sound solutions for every challenge we will face, now is the opportunity for EU and global health stakeholders to come together and reflect on how to build forward stronger and fairer around core values such as sustainability, solidarity, and partnerships.
Key topics such as reviving talks on a fairer vision for multilateralism, a new social contract and strengthened democracies will be tackled. Beyond these overarching themes, the Forum aims to broach discussions on more technical issues, such as new medicine pricing models, the new European Health Emergency and Response Authority HERA and digital health.
Dorli Kahr-Gottlieb, Secretary General of the EHFG said: “As is usual for the “Gastein discussions”, we aim to bring all relevant stakeholders to the table. With the second digital edition we would like to give our participants the opportunity to follow this event more broadly and make sure the conversation goes beyond health experts – and beyond Europe. That way, we hope to empower all actors to use their voice to share their vision on how we can ensure health is at the heart of a resilient future for Europe”.
The full programme, outlining the different sessions, speakers and conference details, is available here.