WHO is hosting a global consultation on community-centred responses to health emergencies: progress, gaps and research priorities, with the following objectives:

• Identify knowledge gaps and evidence needs that can be addressed through interdisciplinary or social science research
• Understand the experience gained through local, regional, and national approaches, strategies and initiatives for inclusive, people and community-centred responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and other infectious disease outbreaks.
• Inspire new perspectives to tackling pandemic challenges through citizen engagement and participation.

This event aims to promote a rethink of the role of communities in the successful design and implementation of prevention, detection, response and recovery interventions during outbreaks of new and re-emerging infectious diseases. Drawing on experiences of COVID-19 and other disease control efforts, the event will signpost the vital role of trust, agency, social cohesion and resilience for inclusive, people and community-centred approaches to preparedness and response. Topics covered will include best practice for preparedness, community-based disease surveillance, transmission prevention, including contact tracing and quarantine, infection control and prevention, and care provision in community settings. A key outcome will be to specify the evidence needs and research agenda to drive and better support community-led initiatives, programmes and responses.

Please register to receive your connection details.

Agenda

There will be interpretation in the 6 UN languages for the plenary sessions.