SEEHN Member States representatives participated at the International Council of Nurses’s (ICN) 125th Anniversary Celebration in Romania

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The ICN’s 125th Anniversary Celebration took place in Bucharest on 21 and 22nd of October 2024.

In honour of ICN’s 125-year journey, celebrating the invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment of nurses to enhancing global health, SEEHN supported the participation of its member states representatives.

During this celebration, it was delved into the profound implications of the 2024 International Nurses Day theme, ”Our Nurses. Our Future. The economic power of care”, exploring nursing’s challenges, and devising strategic initiatives to garner support and momentum for investing in nurses and our shared future. A declaration advocating for support in nursing and midwifery was presented for adoption and signed by present stakeholders.

This dynamic two-day event blended celebratory activities with meaningful discussions, showcasing and engaging conversations, inspiring keynote speeches, and chances to connect with respected global personalities and representatives from leading international institutions.

Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein of Jordan was the guest of honor at ICN’s 125th Anniversary Celebration.

Princess Muna Al-Hussein is a beacon of inspiration in the world of health and health care. With a legacy spanning over six decades, she has passionately championed the roles of nurses and midwives, advocating tirelessly for their recognition and advancement on the global stage.

Hosts

The event was hosted by the Order of Nurses, Midwives, and Medical Assistants of Romania, and held under the High Patronage of the President of Romania, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, the Committee for Health and Family of the Chamber of Deputies and the Public Health Committee of the Romanian Senate.

SEEHN and EHFG 2024 partnership cooperation

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This year the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) and the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) supported the participation of three SEEHN representatives in the EHFG 2024. Under the main theme “Shifting sands of health – Democracy, demographics, digitalisation”, two participants attended from the Ministry of Health, Romania: Mrs. Mihaela Gîză, Head of the International Relations and European Affairs Unit and the national focal point for communication or public relations, and Mr. Bogdan Vinersar, Director for regulatory and medical professional training direction. The third representative was Mr. Ardit Gabili, Adviser to the Minister`s Cabinet, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Albania. This participation was made possible by the SEEHN Secretariat funding and EHFG support to strengthen cross-border collaboration in health diplomacy and regional public health efforts.
Mrs. Gîză and Mr. Gabili also participated in the EHFG 2024 Capacity-Building Initiative, a 1.5-day pre-conference workshop focused on “Inclusive Dialogue in Difficult Times”. The initiative explored the topic of „Deep Democracy”, a facilitation method that emphasises the importance of minority voices in decision-making processes and is designed to bring out underlying motives and opinions to reach more inclusive and informed decisions that reflect a broad consensus and effectively utilise a group’s diverse perspectives. This experience will undoubtedly enhance the future work of the participants, enabling SEEHN to continue to have a profound impact on regional health cooperation, resilience-building, and promoting inclusive health policies.

The European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) [https://www.ehfg.org/] is widely recognised as one of the leading health conferences in the European Union, and aims to provide a neutral and inclusive platform for the discussion and advancement of health, solidarity and equity in the EU and beyond. With the founding principle of the equal representation of all stakeholders, it brings together stakeholders and decision-makers from the public and private sector, civil society, and science and academia, who together form the four pillars of the EHFG with their specific perspectives and knowledge.. The participation of representatives from Romania and Albania, supported by the SEEHN, underscores the network’s commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation and knowledge exchange in the shifting sands landscape of health policy and public health.

Photo credit: EHFG/Framez

World Mental Health Day 2024

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Addressing Mental Health in SEE

The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) proudly supports WHO’s theme for World Mental Health Day 2024: “Mental Health at Work”. The SEEHN emphasized the critical role of healthcare workers, particularly nurses, in maintaining public health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the SEEHN urges urgent action on nursing burnout, advocating for safe working environments and mental health protections. By prioritizing mental health at work, the SEEHN aims to promote resilience and sustainability within the healthcare workforce across the region.

The challenges of the health workforce burnout demand immediate, coordinated responses from policymakers and healthcare institutions. The SEEHN is leading efforts to advocate for safer, supportive working conditions, including improved mental health provision systems within healthcare environments. With mental health at the forefront, the SEEHN urges its member states to commit to creating workplaces where the mental health of all workers, especially those in healthcare, is a priority.

In addition to these efforts, last year, the SEEHN hosted a study tour at the WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Mental Health in Trieste. This initiative provided healthcare leaders in the SEE region with direct insights into community mental health services, fostering deeper collaboration and stronger mental health infrastructures. Through ongoing engagement, the SEEHN calls on its member states to increase investments in mental health and to promote resilience among healthcare workers, continuing the region’s commitment to mental health as a human rights-based approach. The collective power of governments, communities, and organizations is crucial in addressing the hidden mental health burden by securing a healthier, more resilient future for all.

_{Photo credit: WHO}