The Public Health Agency of Canada's Centre for Food-borne, Environmental and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (CFEZID) hosted the One World One Health™ Expert Consultation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from March 16-19, 2009.
International and Canadian experts from academia, government, non-governmental organizations, United Nations organizations, and the private sector gathered together at the Fort Garry Hotel to discuss Contributing to One World One Health: A Strategic Framework for Reducing Risks of Infectious Diseases at the Animal-Human-Ecosystems Interface. The Strategic Framework was the joint product of six major international organizations: the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the United Nations Children's Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations System Influenza Coordination.
Over the course of the three day consultation, experts from 23 countries shared their knowledge of best practices, challenges and barriers to implementation of an OWOH approach. Representatives of the six international organizations discussed their vision of the Strategic Framework and answered questions from the participants. A number of experts provided presentations and case studies on key areas, and participants had the opportunity to work in small groups to discuss issues such as surveillance data gathering, management and ownership, interdisciplinary training and maintaining political will. Recommendations included creating transdisciplinary networks for information sharing, developing a "Global Health" university curriculum and engaging grass roots involvement in animal, human and ecosystem health initiatives.
