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"Universities and the Health of the Disadvantaged"

On July 11-14, 1999, WHO, UNESCO and the University of Arizona co-convened a global conference in Tucson, Arizona, specifically to address the topic of the Universities and the Health of the Disadvantaged.  The goals of the conference were to draw lessons from the experiences of universities, establish partnerships, promote development of sustainable programs, facilitate worldwide exchange of information, carry out collaborative projects and encourage global coalition between and among universities, local governments, and communities to improve the health of the disadvantaged.

Pursuant to the Declaration and Framework for Priority Action set by the World Conference on higher Education at UNESCO in October 1998, the Agenda for Social Development adopted by the World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen in March 1995, and the resolution adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 1984, urging member states to mobilize universities in favour of strategies promoting Health for All, the participants in the Global Conference on Universities and the Health of the Disadvantaged assert their intention to harmonize and implement the results produced by the aforementioned three documents and propose the following charter on "Universities and the Health of the Disadvantaged."

Universities have a unique potential to stimulate progress and construct better and more equitable societies. Their long-standing tradition of advocating humanism, social justice, peace and development bestow upon universities an obligation to commit themselves to maximize this potential, especially on behalf of the most disadvantaged populations. In this Charter, disadvantaged populations are defined as those groups with diminished capacity to take advantage of opportunities for better health and who are often denied those opportunities, whether due to internal or external factors.

Universities should take the initiative in developing and mediating multidimensional action plans for improving the health of the disadvantaged by playing a catalytic role in mobilizing the various resources needed. Properly motivated and supported, they can facilitate the convergence of disparate interests and create coalitions among key players in governments, health professions, and communities. Universities have a wide spectrum of responsibilities in education, research, and service delivery; a capacity to engage in multidisciplinary intervention; and an ability to develop alliances with other constituencies.

Universities must base their long-term orientation on societal aims and needs, reinforcing their role of service to society, especially with regard to activities aimed at eliminating poverty, intolerance, violence, illiteracy, hunger, environmental degradation, and disease, and other factors responsible for the existence of disadvantaged populations.  This will prepare citizens who are able to think clearly, analyze problems, make appropriate choices, act ethically, and assume social responsibilities.

To achieve these ends, we affirm that collaboration based on solidarity, partnership and advocacy should also be an integral part of the mission of universities. Successful, productive, and responsible education, service and research require collaboration within and among academic institutions and communities, governments and other key stakeholders.

Finally, all universities have a moral imperative to engage in service to disadvantaged communities, regardless of their source of support or status as public or private institutions.

 Therefore, we call for Universities to:

   Take responsibility and accept accountability for addressing the health and welfare needs of disadvantaged populations.

  Give priority to research on the special problems of disadvantaged communities, on understanding the underlying determinants of poverty and inequity, and on approaches to reducing the disparity in health status.

  Mobilize and coordinate the activities of all appropriate academic disciplines, and not just those in the health sciences, to address the complex issues associated with the health of the disadvantaged.

  Ensure students are motivated and appropriately equipped to serve disadvantaged population, to be community-responsive citizens and to function as agents of social change.

  Influence the development of public policy and the implementation of programs to improve the health and well-being of the disadvantaged.

  Diversify university faculties and student bodies by increasing recruitment of faculty and matriculation of students from disadvantaged populations, including specific efforts to strengthen the pool of disadvantaged applicants.

  Create a forum (network) that promotes social accountability of academic institutions and supports their efforts to improve the health of disadvantaged populations.

    We, Members of the University system, Chancellors, Vice-presidents, Deans, Department Heads, Researchers, Teachers, Students and Representatives of Affiliated Institutions commit ourselves to exchange information and experiences by networking among partners and using this information to initiate change in our respective institutions. In so doing, our objective and commitment is to improve the health of the disadvantaged with the active support of international agencies such as WHO and UNESCO.

World Health Organization
UNESCO
University of Arizona  |  College of Medicine
Arizona Health Sciences Center

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