Our vision
Global health encompasses all health challenges that transcend national borders, requiring a coordinated international response. Global health policies aim to improve population health equitably and effectively by reducing health risks, ensuring universal access to essential care, strengthening health coverage, and building sustainable health systems. Achieving these goals requires collaboration among governments, international organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and citizens.
As a shared public good, global health is fundamental to enhancing well-being, reducing vulnerability, and empowering individuals to shape and achieve their life goals. We adopt a broad and integrated approach, recognising the connections between health issues and the multiple dimensions of societal development.
- Cross-Sectoral Approach: Global health extends beyond healthcare policies, influencing all aspects of human development. A multidimensional approach is essential, integrating sectors such as education, nutrition, poverty reduction, labour organisation, urban planning, access to water and sanitation, social protection, and environmental justice. These interconnected factors help create an environment that fosters health for all.
- Poverty and Inequalities: Poverty limits access to healthcare and deepens health disparities. Tackling poverty and inequality is crucial to improving the health of the most vulnerable populations. Reducing socio-economic inequalities and ensuring equitable access to healthcare benefit society as a whole, strengthening the effectiveness of prevention and care systems.
- Environment: Human health and environmental health are closely interconnected. Sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and policies addressing climate change and pollution are essential for reducing health risks and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions for all.
- Economy: Global health is deeply intertwined with international economic systems, requiring investment, supporting employment, and relying on technological partnerships. Collaboration between governments, the private sector, and civil society is essential for building resilient and effective health systems. However, market forces alone cannot address the complexities of global health, as they do not inherently ensure equity, social inclusion, or the right to health. Public health objectives must take precedence over commercial interests, particularly regarding access to essential medicines, therapeutic innovations, and health technologies.
- Security: Global health has a significant impact on human security. Health risks —whether caused by natural disasters, conflicts, or irresponsible economic and financial decisions — can undermine population security. A proactive, coordinated approach is necessary to protect both individual and collective well-being.
Our think tank aligns its actions with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, while also anticipating the transition to a post-2030 vision of global health. We address national, transnational, and global health challenges by considering societal, environmental, and geopolitical transformations to develop strategies that adapt to the evolving global health landscape.
As the international context is marked by conflicts, migration, demographic shifts, and major environmental disruptions, we consider the European level as a key platform for advancing global health policies. The European Union’s ability to coordinate states, mobilise resources, exert diplomatic influence, and drive international initiatives makes it an essential actor in shaping the future of global health.
Finally, we place strong emphasis on co-constructing discussions with countries representing the global majority (often referred to as the Global South) to develop shared norms and values that can guide global health policies. We also advocate for citizen participation and the involvement of patient associations to strengthen democratic engagement in health governance.
The previous version of the “Our Vision” document from 2018 remains available for consultation.
Our values
- Universality: Health is a fundamental human right, an economic and social right, and an essential element of human dignity. It is also a public good that must be accessible to all, regardless of status, gender, ethnicity, or belief. Ensuring universal and equitable access to healthcare, prevention, and health information is essential for the well-being and dignity of all.
- Autonomy: Every individual should have the ability to make informed decisions about their health. Health autonomy requires access to reliable information and a supportive environment that enables responsible and well-informed choices.
- Solidarity: Health is a shared good that connects individuals within a society. Protecting and pro-moting each person’s health strengthens social cohesion and enhances collective resil-ience. Policies that foster economic solidarity and reduce inequalities are essential for effective public health strategies.
- Knowledge: Both scientific research and experiential knowledge are fundamental to shaping effective health policies. Evidence-based data, research, and knowledge-sharing are crucial in combating health misinformation and developing strategies that respond to public health needs.
- Cooperation: International collaboration is vital in addressing global health challenges. The exchange of resources, knowledge, and technologies between countries — along with the active participation of non-state actors — is key to a coordinated and effective response to global health crises.
Our ethical charter
Any member of our group, or personality associated with our work, commits to respect our ethical charter.
Download our ethical charter.