Strengthening the Netherlands’ leading role on global health and sexual and reproductive rights with launch of MultiParty Initiative

On Friday 4 October, civil society members of the Dutch Global Health Alliance (which includes Wemos) and the SRHR platform are launching the MultiParty Initiative (MPI) on Global Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR). This informal group of Dutch Members of Parliament (MPs) works jointly to support the Dutch government’s efforts on global health and SRHR. The MPI is co-chaired by the MPs Roelien Kamminga (VVD) and Sarah Dobbe (SP).

The launch event, during which MPs will officially commit to the initiative, will take place at Nieuwspoort in The Hague, and will be livestreamed.    

This space serves to fortify the position of the Netherlands in the landscape of global pandemic preparedness and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Additionally, it solidifies the Netherlands’ role as a global leader in SRHR and global health. 

The MPI focuses on:

• Pandemic preparedness: Dutch leadership strengthening local and global expertise on infectious diseases, improving international coordination, and ensuring rapid response capabilities to address future pandemics and other cross-border threats. 

• AMR: Spearheading the development of innovative solutions for early diagnosis and adequate and timely treatment of infectious diseases and advocating for responsible antibiotics’ use to prevent the escalating threat of drug-resistant infections. 

• SRHR: Expanding access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, promoting gender equality, and ensuring the protection of SRHR across the Netherlands, setting the example for health systems around the world. 

• Global health: Fostering an inclusive and resilient health system in the Netherlands that ensures universal healthcare access, while promoting international partnerships to achieve long-term global health security. 

This initiative aligns with the Netherlands’ broader commitment to Health for All, advancing both global health and economic resilience by strengthening healthcare infrastructures and promoting health rights. 

Launch event at Nieuwspoort on 4 October

This launch is an opportunity for MPs to officially commit to the MPI and is the first in a series of events promoting Dutch leadership in the areas covered by the initiative. The launch will kick-off with short keynotes and a video of successes achieved with the Netherlands’ support on global health and SRHR. Two sub-sessions will follow, during which experts and MPs will discuss the role of the Netherlands in supporting global health and SRHR. The event will end with a personal story and a commitment signing moment for MPs.

Date and location: 4 October (14.30 – 16.30), Nieuwspoort (The Hague). Strictly invitation only.
Language: English
Livestream: for those who wish to follow the event online, a livestream will be available on the day of the event (see button further below). Visit this page on Nieuwspoort’s website for information in Dutch.

• Moderator: Michael Creek (Stickydot)
  
• Session 1: Advancing Dutch leadership on sexual and reproductive health and rights for all
  With speakers Elizabeth Sully (Guttmacher Institute), Jelle Postma (Justice for Prosperity), Mukumi Marete (UHAI).
  
• Session 2: Pandemic Preparedness and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
  With speakers Prof. Constance Schultsz (Amsterdam UMC), Vijayashree Yellapa (KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation), Jo-Angelina Kalambo (Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria), Danielle Hirsch (GroenLinks/PvdA), Björn Gillsäter (Gavi), Luuk Pepers (ONE Youth Ambassador).

Join us for this event as we work to safeguard global health, ensure SRHR, and build a Netherlands for future generations where health is a shared priority for all.

The SRHR platform consists of Aidsfonds, Soa Aids Nederland, Amref Flying Doctors, CHOICE for Youth & Sexuality, COC Nederland, Hivos, Liliane Fonds, Oxfam Novib, Plan International, Rutgers, RNW Media, VSO and Wemos. Some members of the platform are also part of the Dutch Global Health Alliance, which also consists of (among others) Cordaid,  Health Action International (HAI), KIT, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and PharmAccess Foundation. Visit this page for a full list of the DGHA members.

Photo: Binnenhof by Frank Magdelyns (via Pixabay)