Humanitarian Conference
18th Annual Humanitarian Conference
February 21-22, 2013
Webster University Geneva’s International Releations Department will hold the 18th edition of the International Humanitarian Conference on February 21-22, 2013, focused on the theme of “Access to Health,” addressing one of the most fundamental challenges of humanity and development. Through its unique tradition and the presence of major international organizations and NGOs, Geneva is widely regarded as the world’s humanitarian capital. Since 1995, this conference has been organized in close cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The 2013 edition will also be held under the auspices of the Government of the State of Geneva. The conference will bring together practitioners and scholars, members of the Geneva-based international community and other officials and representatives of civil society to address today and tomorrow’s challenges.
Participants may register for the conference using this form.
The program of the Conference will be organized around five major themes:
1. Global and National Health Policies Practices and Progress.
2. Health and Migration / Refugee issues.
3. HIV/AIDS and Other Pandemics.
4. Access to Essential Medicines.
5. Access to Safe Water.
Culture, economic development, the rule of Law, security… none of these are imaginable without health security. This depends on effective and accessible prevention, treatment and rehabilitation measures. In developing countries, the major killers are infectious and parasitic diseases, while in industrialized countries the key health issues are diseases of the circulatory system and lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Insufficient access to health services and education, malnutrition, contaminated water, poor sanitation are underlying factors behind global health concerns. The most severe health challenges have the greatest impact on low- and middle-income countries, on rural areas, and the most vulnerable populations – particularly children.
The improvement of global health requires the optimization of health care management and structures, the generalization of access to essential medicines, and the reduction of disparities.
