Overview

The World Federation of Public Health Association (WFPHA) is an international, nongovernmental, multi-professional and civil society organization bringing together all people interested and active in safeguarding and promoting the public’s health for professional exchange, collaboration, and action. Founded in 1967, it is the only worldwide professional society representing and serving the broad of public health, as distinct from single disciplines or occupations. The Federation’s governing members are national and regional public health associations, presently numbering over 70. Members also include regional associations of school of public health.

The present strategic plan was developed through a participative process at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Study and Conference Center in May 2007, covering the five-year period 2007 - 2012. It updates the Federation’s vision, mission, goals and strategies and serves as a road map for activities in support of the achievement of the goals. The plan will be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

Vision

To lead the quest for a healthy global society

Mission

WFPHA is an international nongovernmental, multi-professional and civil society organization, dedicated to promoting and protecting global public health.

Values

Right to Health: We hold that health is a fundamental human right and a public good.

Social Justice: We advocate for equity and non-discrimination and the elimination of health disparities.

Diversity and Inclusion: We promote a global public health perspective that includes diverse social and cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.

Partnership: We use partnership as the basis for mutual learning and capacity building.

Ethical Conduct: We believe in the ethical practice of public health for individuals and populations.

Goals and Strategies

Goal 1: To develop and promote effective global policies to improve the health of populations.

Strategies:

  1. Develop a process for creating and prioritizing global health policy for action by WFPHA and other stakeholders.
  2. Make efficient use of all methods to disseminate and advocate the policies of WFPHA.

 

Goal 2: To advance public health practice, education/training, and research.

Strategies

  1. Encourage all member associations to use the Knowledge Management for Public Health (KM4PH) network to exchange public health practices, knowledge and research with a target of 50% by the end of 2008.
  2. Develop a plan to provide ongoing education and training at regional and global levels.
  3. Identify and implement approaches to enhance the use of Journal of Public Health Policy.
  4. Continue organizing the World Congress on Public Health.

Goal 3: To expand and strengthen internal and external partnerships.

Strategies

  1. Establish formalized collaborations with international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, alliances and United Nations bodies.
  2. Develop a plan to increase member involvement in global public health initiatives and networking.

Goal 4:To achieve and maintain an effective, efficient and sustainable organization.

Strategies

  1. Assess the current structures, policies, and functions of the WFPHA and make changes as dictated by the WFPHA strategic plan by July 2007.
  2. Develop a business plan, including funding, for short-term and long-term sustainability of WFPHA by the end of 2007.
  3. Review the current membership criteria and make recommendations.

Goal 5: To support member associations in improving their infrastructure and organizational capacity.

Strategies

  1. Develop a plan to assist members in achieving fiscal and organizational sustainability.
  2. Obtain funding to assist member associations in strengthening their operational capacity.
  3. Develop mechanisms to guide member associations in strengthening their policy making and advocacy capacity.