Northern Dimension Partnership

Several countries and international organisations in the Northern and Eastern parts of Europe the Northern Dimension area of the European Union and an area of interest to many other partners are working together to find new ways of co-operations.

Multinational health sector co-operation in Finland's neighbouring areas and the Baltic Sea region entered a new phase when the idea of social and health care partnership in the Northern Dimension working group was created in 2000.

A Temporary Working Group prepared a proposal on the focus, structures and procedures of the partnership, which was approved at a high-level meeting in Norway in October 2003, when the Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being (NDPHS) was established. STAKES was hosting the secretariat of the Temporary Working Group.

After the NDPHS had been established, structures have been set up and further plans for collaboration agreed. The emphasis is on common health and social problems that require joint, concerted actions by the NDPHS Partners. The activities of the Partnership embrace both public health and social issues.

The official priority objectives are:

• A reduction of major communicable diseases and prevention of life-style related non-communicable diseases targeted towards: a) HIV/AIDS, b) Tuberculosis, c) Sexually transmitted infections, d) Antibiotics resistance, e) Determinants of cardiovascular diseases (tobacco and alcohol)
• An enhancement and promotion of healthy and socially rewarding lifestyles: a) Healthy nutrition, b) Physical activity, c) Smoke free environment, d) Alcohol and drug free leisure time activities, e) Safe sexual behaviour, f) Supportive social and work environment and constructive social skills.

One of the priority areas is HIV and AIDS. In order to carry out activities within this field, it was decided to establish an expert group on HIV and AIDS, consisting of professionals representing interested partners and other international experts. The HIV and AIDS group continues the work originated in the framework of the Task Force on Communicable Disease Control in the Baltic Sea Region (BSTF). The group is hosted by Finland, and the International Technical Adviser (ITA) for the group comes from STAKES. The main function of the ITA is to give support and advice to the projects through site visits and collaboration with relevant external bodies in the programme field.

International Collaboration at STAKES was also instrumental in the work of the Primary Health Care Programme Group during 2001−2004 as part of the BSTF activities. An extensive network of experts extending from Murmansk to Poland and from Moscow to Norway has been established. We created a shared approach, vision and project language among the group which now continues to work in programmes and other activities with the Northern Dimension Partnership.

Useful links

Northern Dimension Partnership in Public Health and Social Well-being