People's Health Assembly - December 2000
People's Health Assembly 2000
The assembly itself is not the main objective of the PHA2000, but it is its launching point. As such, it is planned as a people's get-together where we will
all meet each other as equals to learn what different groups around the world have been doing to take health matters more into their own hands. We will share valuable experiences
in order to address the issues that face people in all continents, and we will celebrate our long overdue union around these issues to present a common face and fight a
coordinated struggle for Health for All worldwide. We will further discuss the forward-looking documents prepared for PHA2000 to reach an action-oriented consensus and
will commit ourselves to implementing the measures agreed upon and we will also set up the solidarity network that will keep people's groups in touch after the Assembly. In the
light of all that is achieved world health leaders will be confronted with the real problems people are facing in their access to quality health services as we ask for
greater accountability of both individuals and agencies.
The venue for PHA2000, Gonoshasthaya Kendra in Savar is a rural training centre that has been prepared to house us all modestly. A new conference centre has been built on the
premises to house our sessions, trials, round tables and workshops. Outdoor sites will also host small group discussions, and stalls will offer food and refreshments. A long
poster wall will be placed in the central area for people to express themselves in writing or through drawings addressing issues relating to PHA2000, reacting to some of the
sessions, or calling others to meetings of special interest groups. This poster will allow everyone to express him or herself freely and everybody can stop there daily to see what's
new. There will be time to share our different cultural heritages in music, dance, poetry and drama and a creative program is allocating time for the mixture of discussions,
sharing, testimonials and action planning. PHA2000's program is highly participatory, with time and space for participants to show audiovisual materials they may wish to share with others.
The long discussion of the People's Health Charter will culminate with its formal approval on the last day of the Assembly, when discussion will also centre on how to use it
effectively in upcoming advocacy work. Summaries of the major outcomes of the numerous workshops will also be presented at that time. Videotapes of the activities throughout the
week will be shown at closing time as well as a synopsis of what happened. We are hoping to have everybody leave the Assembly charged with new knowledge and energies to carry out
concrete tasks that will be agreed upon, and the strength of it all will be the awareness that others like oneself are embracing the same struggle with solidarity and global
co-ordination. Fulfilling PHA2000's future ambitious agenda rests on this goal being achieved in Savar this December.
Important information
PEOPLE'S HEALTH ASSEMBLY - 4-8 December 2000
Savar Gonoshasthaya Kendra Bangladesh
SPECIAL REQUEST!
Participants are specially requested to bring along with you flags from your country. We need five standard sized flags and 5 table flags from each countries. These flags will be
placed in the Assembly site as well as campuses where you will be staying.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
In case of emergency participants can be contacted by email, telephone or fax at the following addresses/numbers:
TIME DIFFERENCE:
Bangladesh occupies one time zone: +6 hours GMT.
VISAS:
Ensure that you have a valid visa for the duration of your stay and at least 6 months before your passport expires. If you need a letter of invitation for your visa application
form, contact the PHA secretariat as soon as possible at: secretariat@phmovement.org
we will need your full name, your passport number, and your full postal address.
Visa can also be obtained on arrival. When you arrive, go to Sonali Bank and pay for your visa. Then queue up at the immigration for clearance.
TRAVEL:
Participants will be met at Zia International Airport, Dhaka. There will be a PHA desk right after the immigration desks and you will be able to get assistance for your travel to Savar.
REGISTRATION:
The registration fee is: $ 5 for participants from Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, Russia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands; $ 50 for participants from Europe,
Canada, U.S.A., Japan, Australia, and New Zealand; and $100 for international organizations and resource agencies payable in US$ or in Taka (Tk), at the PHA2000 site.
Other currencies will not be accepted. The exchange rate is in the region of 1 US$ = 53Tk.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD:
The PHA2000 site is located in a rural area. Basic but essential services will be provided and rooms will be allocated on a twin or triple shared basis. Mosquito nets, bed sheets,
and blankets will be provided. You will have access to electricity, cold running water, and a bathroom.
Cost for food and accommodation is US$5 per day for participants from Africa, Central and South America, the Middle East, Russia, Asia, and the Pacific Islands; $ 50 per day for
participants from Europe, Canada, U.S.A., Japan, Australia, and New Zealand as well as international organisations.
LIVE WITH FAMILIES IN RURAL BANGLADESH:
Participants who would like to experience living with poor families around Savar will have the opportunity to do so. However, only twenty five slots are available for this special
accommodation arrangements with the poor. If you are interested, please contact the Secretariat if there is still a space for you.
REIMBURSEMENT:
For sponsored participants, PHA will only sponsor your air ticket and visas. We expect you or your organisation to bear the costs of your local travel, registration fee and board
and lodging.
For reimbursements, you should bring with you both your ticket and a valid invoice from your travel agents.
HEALTH REQUIREMENT:
Yellow Fever vaccinations and certificates are required for those arriving from or via Central Africa and Northern South America.
CLIMATE:
It is winter in Bangladesh. This means an average day temperatures around 25° C and night temperatures of around 16°C. Rainfall and humidity should be negligible. Light sweaters
and/or jackets are advisable. A flashlight would be useful at night.
HEALTH FACILITIES:
Full-fledged health facilities are available at the Hospital within the campus of Gonoshasthaya Kendra. While Malaria, Typhoid, and Infective Hepatitis are endemic, they
are not widespread. Prophylaxis is recommended.
PAID TELEPHONE/FAX FACILITIES:
The Department of Postal and Telecommunication, Ministry of Postal and Telecommunication, Bangladesh has generously supported the PHA by speedily providing about 10 ISD lines at
the site. These phones will be made accessible to participants for a fee.
WORKSHOP ROOMS:
About 25-30 rooms will be available for your event (workshops, tribunals, cultural presentations, etc) during the Assembly. Some of the rooms have conference equipment while
others are minimally equipped with white boards, flip charts and overhead projectors. Concurrent Sessions i.e. workshops/panels/tribunals are scheduled for time blocks between
3.00-5.00pm and from 7.00pm onwards (see Draft Programme).
EXHIBITION/INTERACTIVE SPACE:
Time within the programme has been allocated for participants to be involved in a wide range of activities, from poster displays and presentation of exhibits to information
exchange and discussions to street theatre and other creative expressions to sharing of stories, skills in traditional healing, yoga, tai chi, shibashi, etc. Tents will be set up
for these activities and you are encouraged to join in and share your experiences with others!
You are also encouraged to bring with you handicrafts, folk/traditional music and various other forms of cultural expressions from your country as sale or exchange items.
PEOPLE’S HEALTH BOOKSHOP:
A People's Health BOOKSHOP will be set up during the Assembly. The bookshop will be operated by Gonoshasthaya Kendra. If you wish to sell books published by your
organisation, you are encouraged to send the books before the Assembly to the PHA Secretariat or alternatively bring them with you. A small percentage (25%) of the retail
price will be requested from your organisation as contribution to the running of this bookshop.
If you are planning to display books in the bookshop, please fill in FORM 5: People’s
Health BOOKSHOP and return to the PHA Secretariat by 10 November 2000.
