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We, the participants at the Technical Discussion on leadership development of
health of all (held in Geneva on 5-7 May, 1988, during the Forty-first World Health
Assembly), representing people from many walks of life, including governments,
nongovernmental organizations, universities, educational institutions, voluntary
agencies and United Nations agencies, make the following declaration:
We believe that:
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there is a need for greater concern and commitment to achieve the goal of
health for all by the year 2000 through primary health care, among political,
professional and community leaders;
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building self-reliance and leadership capabilities
at local level is the most important ingredient for sustained development
and progress in health;
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the development of leadership that can be sustained as a continuing process at
all levels in an important strategy to mobilize greater social and political
commitment for the total health-for-all movement.
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We therefore commit ourselves and urge
others in leadership and other strategic positions to adopt the following
Five-point personal Agenda for Action:
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to inform ourselves, our colleagues, fellow-workers, community members
and others about the fundamental values, principles and processes to achieve health for all by the
year 2000 through primary health care, and to generate a social conscience
in people regarding the health conditions and needs of the under-served, socially deprived and
vulnerable population groups.
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to make a serious review of progress towards the specific targets set in
our respective countries, to identify where the critical needs and gaps
are, and to provide leadership in identifying and implementing corrective
actions;
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to serve as prime movers for change, particularly in areas which fall within
our respective roles, and to motivate others to accelerate the changes required in order to achieve
the goal of health for all;
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to develop and promote partnerships and new alliances of support
for health, including the professional associations, institutions of higher
education, religious leaders, people's organizations, concerned nongovernmental
organizations and individuals, philanthropic groups, the private sector and the media;
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to promote self-reliance and enable others, particularly within the home
and at the community level, to take greater responsibility for their own
health and the health of their communities, through informing and educating them and developing
their leadership potential.
We are convinced that additional courageous and innovative strategies and tactics
will be needed to ensure that all people of the world will be covered by primary
health care. Leadership development is one such strategy which provides new
opportunities to inform and communicate, to expand partnerships among people –
people who are empowered and motivated – who then take no new responsibilities
for their health, the health of their families and of their communities.
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