{"id":359,"date":"2021-03-24T17:16:23","date_gmt":"2021-03-24T17:16:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/ih\/?page_id=359"},"modified":"2026-02-02T13:26:20","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:26:20","slug":"the-international-health-coordination-centre-ihcc","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/phwwhocc.co.uk\/ih\/our-work\/the-international-health-coordination-centre-ihcc\/","title":{"rendered":"The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The International Health Coordination Centre (IHCC) is a unique whole-of-Wales programme of work, bringing together all Health Boards and NHS Trusts. It promotes and facilitates international health partnerships, serving as a focal point for information sharing, knowledge exchange, collaboration and networking across the UK, Europe and the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IHCC aims to maximise potential gains for the people in Wales and beyond, promoting a culture of global citizenship and supporting a health system, which is globally responsible, as well as more equal, resilient, sustainable and prosperous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The IHCC is part of Public Health Wales and its Policy and International Health WHO Collaborating Centre on Investment for Health and Wellbeing, sharing and amplifying international learning, benefits and opportunities. It has successfully established a strong network of key stakeholders within and beyond Welsh borders, including Welsh Government, Wales and Africa, NGOs, and UK, European and global partners and networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Public Health Wales International Health Strategy 2023-2035<\/summary>
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Public Health Wales: Nationally Focused, Globally Responsible Our International Health Strategy as an Enabler of Our Long-Term Strategy 2023 \u2013 2035<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, Public Health Wales updated its 2017 International Health Strategy to better reflect the significant changes in the global landscape and to enable Public Health Wales\u2019 new Long-Term Strategy. A wide consultation process, supported by a literature review and mapping of international work and collaborations across the organisation, has enabled us to identify our aims and activities for the next ten years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our international health vision is to be a globally connected and inspiring national public health organisation, working towards a healthier and fairer Wales to address worldwide challenges and shared goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The global political, social, and environmental context has dramatically changed since the original International Health Strategy in 2017 with UK\u2019s withdrawal from the EU (\u2018Brexit\u2019), the COVID-19 pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and increasing instances of extreme weather events due to climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many beneficial examples of international health collaboration have taken place since 2017 and this Strategy aims to build on these and enable the delivery of the Long-Term Strategy through its implementation. International health working can range from research partnerships, sharing of mutual knowledge via digital meetings to joint training and collaboration on projects and other activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This learning can then be implemented in Wales to improve population health and well-being and reduce inequalities. It can support us to be a globally connected national public health agency, using innovative approaches and our international expertise, helping to prevent disease, promote and protect health, provide system leadership, and specialist services. This strategy shows how we will work with partners such as public health institutes, Welsh Government and others to enable international health activity and partnership working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Public Health Wales International Health Strategy is available here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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2017-27 Report: English<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2017-27 Report: Welsh <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2023-35 Report: English<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Technical Report Annex I (English only)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2023-35 Report: Welsh <\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Technical Report Annex II (English only)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales (the Charter)<\/summary>
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The IHCC has facilitated the development of the Charter – a unique whole-of NHS commitments, aiming to ensure that principles and values of the NHS are reflected in all international health activity. It strengthens Wales\u2019 reciprocal work to build evidence-based practice, and develop sustainable partnerships based on equity and in the pursuit of mutual tangible benefits and healthy prosperous lives for all, within and beyond Welsh borders. The Charter is based on Wales\u2019 history of accomplishment and learning in this area and outlines the four foundations of successful international health partnerships: organisational responsibilities; reciprocal partnership working; good practice; and sound governance.

The Charter is available here: Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales – World Health Organization Collaborating Centre On Investment for Health and Well-being<\/a>

The IHCC has established an NHS Wales International Health Activity Group to provide a cross-NHS Wales platform for outreach and involvement related to international and global health work; informing, sharing, discussing, supporting and developing synergies and joint work streams. It works to create an active and motivated network of Health Boards and Trusts representatives who champion international health engagement, support \u2018globally responsible\u2019 sustainable organisations and drive a culture of \u2018global citizenship\u2019. The ultimate aim of the Group is to help achieve better health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities within and beyond Welsh borders.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Charter for International Health Partnerships in Wales: an Implementation Toolkit<\/summary>
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The Charter Implementation Toolkit has been developed from lessons learned along the way, compiling examples of best practice and providing a governance framework to support international health activity. Designed as a \u2018living document,\u2019 the Toolkit will be continually updated to assist signatories in implementing charter principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Toolkit, originally created in 2019, was refreshed in 2024 with new supporting materials such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n