Even prior to the kick-off of the WHO Collaborating Centres meetings, there was a flurry of activity that had a critical impact on CCOHS’ key initiative on vulnerable workers. Early intervention, open and supportive dialogue with WHO and suppport from our friends at NIOSH like Marilynn Fingerhut and John Howard were key in securing a resolution that saw our “Vulnerable Workers” program back on the agenda and which will, I am conviced, now flourish and make a significant impact nationally and globally on the health of young, immigrant and aging workers as well as women and those working in the informal economy.
The WHO has been going through challenging times due to the economic realities faced by member countries. Consequently, the WHO has been re-organizing and has had to focus on its key global priorities, in order to ensure that programs are completed to their established timelines. We’re pleased that our multilingual “Vulnerable Workers” Web portal project and NIOSH’s program on green industries and Nanotechnology were moved forward on the agenda, as Knowledge Network initiatives in conjunction with the WHO global priorities.
Now with the start of the Collaborating Centres Network meetings, there has been vigourous discussion and healthy consensus building leading to mutual understanding and resulting in effective promotion of healthy workplaces for all.