Media release from the World Federation of Public Health Associations
Monday 10 April 2017
The World Federation of Public Health Associations has formed its first Indigenous Working Group on its 50th Anniversary.
At the 15th World Congress of Public Health Melbourne conference, 40 Indigenous and non-Indigenous conference delegates of the yarning circle unanimously supported in principle the establishment of the World Federation of Public Health Associations Indigenous Working Group.
The Public Health Association of Australia, on Tuesday 4th April 2017, hosted a yarning circle to talk about establishing an Indigenous Working Group. The yarning circle was led by Adrian Te Patu, the inaugural Indigenous representative on the World Federation of Public Health Association (WFPHA) Governing Council.
Once supported by the delegates, the formation of the Indigenous Working Group was accepted by acclimation by the world assembly of Public Health Associations. Under Mr. Te Patu’s leadership, the next steps are to formalise the Indigenous Working Group and develop its vision.
The Indigenous Working Group will provide an opportunity to bring to the global public health and civil society arena a visible and prominent Indigenous voice that privileges an Indigenous world view and narrative. We intend to creates a platform for change with the aim to address the health inequities experience by Indigenous peoples worldwide.
The WFPHA’s function and mandate includes its link into the global health governance mechanisms such as the World Health Organisation.
Contacts
New Zealand
Adrian Te Patu
Phone: (64) 021 982 982
Email: adriantepatu@gmail.com
Australia
Summer May Finlay
Phone: (61) 0424 299 457
Email: summermayfinlay@gmail.com
