WHO Civil Society Commission: working groups

To accomplish its mandate, and in particular to inform the development of a core set of instruments for improving institutional relations between WHO and civil society, the Steering Committee may propose to set up working groups.

The purpose of the working groups is to bring together Commission participants with similar interests, to share information and collectively work on specific activities that align with the WHO Civil Society Commission’s overall mission and objectives, in an outcome-oriented way. Each working group will have a thematic and/or geographical/regional focus with corresponding terms of reference and workplan outlining its objectives, key outputs, priorities and methods of working.

The working groups may be set up for up to 2 years, with the possibility of extension.

The setting up working groups may be proposed by the Steering Committee, the Secretariat and the CSO Commission participants. The CSO Commission participants may join the working groups, provided they have proven expertise in the specific area of the working group in question.

 

Working group on Promoting good practice in WHO civil society consultations

The working Group has been set up to study the ways WHO organizes consultations with civil society for their input in WHO processes and documents and make recommendation on best practices.

→ Working Group 1 Civil society consultations Terms of Reference

→ WHO presentations during the consultations with civil society and youth on the WHO Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14) for 2025-2028

 

Working group on Mechanisms for thematic interactions with civil society

Objectives of the working group:

  • Identify and advocate for WHO mechanisms facilitating thematic interaction with civil society (including focal points, task teams, engagement mechanisms, and working groups) in alignment with WHO’s CSO engagement strategy.
     
  • Evaluate existing and potential CSO working groups to enhance engagement with technical WHO management.
     
  • Provide guidance on strategies to enhance social participation in thematic discussions at both international and regional levels, fostering partnerships between WHO and CSOs.

→ Working group 2 CSO Engagement mechanisms Terms of Reference

 

Working group on WHO Civil Society Engagement Strategy

Objectives:

  • co-develop with WHO a robust and effective strategy for the period 2025-2028 for engaging civil society organizations at global, regional and country levels in the work of WHO and a related results framework, and
  • in this regard, to act as a convener and facilitator of processes and mechanisms that allow a broad range of civil society organizations to engage in the making of the strategy and the results framework.

→ Working Group 3 WHO CSO Engagement Strategy Terms of Reference