the un corner

 

the imperatives of world health day, 2008

In selecting Climate Change as the theme for this year’s World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to turn the world’s attention to the reality of climate change and the critical importance of protecting the health of the planet’s populations.

Human activities are considered to be the principal cause of climate change, the consequences of which will affect first those who are least prepared to face it, namely the peoples of the developing countries of the world. Whether it means more frequent extreme weather events, a decrease in agricultural output or the scarcity of water, the various consequences of climate change have the potential to threaten the lives of millions of people.

Quoting a statement by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the occasion of World Health Day 2008,

"(...) We need to make clear that in a rapidly changing environment it is not just the animals and plants, but humans, that need protection. We need governments to put human health and well-being at the heart of climate change policy and renew efforts to protect health (...) " Dr. Margaret Chan

In this connection, Dianova calls for greater awareness on the part of people and communities of the issues of Sustainable Development.

We consider it to be a justifiably proven position that, in order to minimize climate change and its consequences for health and human development, we must reduce the impact of human activities on nature, and thus encourage a sustainable development which includes all of the issues that relate to human development.

Even at our modest level, we believe that we have the obligation and the ability to help people and communities realize their own needs and desires, while, at the same time, respecting nature.

For this reason, we are currently exploring ways of implementing in our educational programs and treatment centers projects that will create a better awareness among the beneficiaries of our programs of the problems inherent in sustainable development and our collective responsibility for developing sustainable solutions.

Read more at:

http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en/