ISGlobal and the Consortium of Health and Social of Catalonia Initiate a Collaboration Agreement

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Consortium of Health and Social of Catalonia (CSC) have signed a collaboration agreement to strengthen cooperation in the areas of technical advice, training and research. The agreement has an initial duration of four years, with the possibility of renewal for a further four years. The alliance aims to consolidate synergies between the two institutions to address health challenges at both local and global levels.

The agreement provides for joint participation in research and innovation projects in several areas, including climate, air pollution, urban health, infectious diseases, and health crisis preparedness and response. It also includes collaboration on global development programmes, focusing on areas such as the Sustainable Development Goals, planetary health, urban sustainability and strengthening health systems, with particular relevance to local contexts.

Another key aspect of the agreement is collaboration on training activities. ISGlobal and the CSC commit to designing and implementing training and capacity building programmes at local, national and international levels, with a particular focus on improving urban health, air quality and preparedness for health emergencies.

The significant international involvement of both institutions will also serve to pool capacities for international technical advice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

To coordinate and monitor the agreement, the two organisations have established a Monitoring Committee. This committee will be represented on behalf of ISGlobal by Antoni Plasència, Distinguished Fellow and former Director General, and on behalf of CSC by Maite Pavón, Executive Director of Consultancy and Management. The committee will be responsible for coordinating the activities resulting from the agreement and regularly reviewing ongoing projects to identify areas for improvement and new opportunities for collaboration.

"With this collaboration, ISGlobal and CSC reinforce their commitment to global health and sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and the emerging needs of today's world, which are undoubtedly both local and global," says Antoni Plasència.

From the CSC's point of view, Maite Pavón says that this collaboration is "very necessary" at a time when both national and local governments need to promote a "health in all policies" strategy to address challenges such as an ageing population and the health impact of climate change. "For our members and in our international projects, the support of an institution like ISGlobal is an added value," she affirms.