Harnessing the experiences and perspectives of childhood cancer survivors and their families, to shape equitable and inclusive national policies: a discussion for Childhood Cancer Awareness month
6 September 2023, 15:00–17:30 CEST, (19:30 IST/08:00 USCT)
Background
WHO has launched 3 integrated cancer initiatives to drive health system strengthening and implementation of national cancer control plans (NCCP). The initiatives share operational, cross-cutting approaches to the development of normative products and country engagement at all levels of WHO.
The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) was launched in 2018 with the target of increasing global survival for childhood cancer to at least 60% by 2030. Significant progress in improving access and quality of care for children with cancer has been achieved with 73+ countries actively implementing the initiative.
Advocates, parents, patients, and childhood cancer survivor groups have been fundamental in advancing childhood cancer as a public health priority through outreach campaigns and lobbying for political action. Children, adolescents and young adults with cancer, their families and caregivers have valuable experiences to contribute to a better understanding of their unmet needs but also inform better policies to meet these needs.
This edition of the NCD stakeholder dialogue series on WHO cancer initiatives aims to gather insights, and best practices on the meaningful engagement of the Lived experience from childhood cancer survivors, parents and WHO partner organizations, aligning with the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) objective of advancing prioritization of childhood cancer into national policies and delivering equitable services that meet the needs of children and their families.
Objectives of the meeting
- To convene people with lived experience of childhood cancer and WHO strategic partners to advance the meaningful engagement of survivors and their families in co-creation of policies and best-practice interventions for impact on both the quality and outcomes in childhood cancers.
- To facilitate exchange to foster new GICC collaborations and partnerships at local, national, regional which connect child and young adult cancer survivors’ networks, promoting their active participation into national and regional policy dialogues to strengthen country engagement towards achieving GICC objectives.
Outcome
Recommendations derived from this NCD stakeholder dialogue will support the development of an advocacy toolkit in support of the implementation of the WHO global cancer initiatives.
Participants
- Children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and those with lived experience of childhood cancer.
- Key GICC strategic partners including civil society groups, professional associations, advocacy groups, and parent, patient, and childhood cancer survivor networks.
- WHO representatives at headquarters, regional and country office levels.
- Representatives from ministries of health of GICC engaged countries.
