Practitioners Weigh In on the Impact of PHE Networks
Promoting, Collaborating, and Implementing Cross-Sectoral Programs
In March 2022, Knowledge SUCCESS and Blue Ventures, a marine conservation organization, collaborated on the second in a series of community-driven dialogues on People-Planet Connection. The goal: to uncover and amplify the learnings and impact of five national PHE networks. Learn what network members from Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, and the Philippines shared during the three-day dialogue.
The Importance of Networks in PHE Programs
Population, Health and Environment (PHE) networks consist of organizations and institutions—most often in the conservation and health sectors—who acknowledge the interlinkages between the health of communities and that of the environment. They come together to implement an integrated PHE approach toward sustainably improving the health of communities and conserving the environment.
Blue Ventures (BV) has been implementing the PHE approach for more than a decade and a half. The marine conservation organization has witnessed how cross-sectoral collaborations maximize community-level impact. As a member of the PHE Network in Madagascar, BV has been collaborating with health organizations within this network to improve access to health services for coastal communities in Madagascar. PHE networks offer a great platform for various organizations to unite and integrate health-environment activities in an impactful way. It is, therefore, important for them to thrive. This dialogue was focused on bringing together various PHE networks for a knowledge-sharing session that included:
- Establishing collaborative and impactful PHE networks.
- Understanding the various PHE models.
- Sharing what has worked and what has not worked in various contexts.
Learnings Shared During the Dialogue
The three-day dialogue provided rich information-sharing across the national PHE networks as well as for those considering the establishment of a new network in their setting. We synthesized those learnings and key takeaways into The Impact of PHE Networks, an interactive site that summarizes the value of PHE networks, how they operate, and what lessons have been learned along the way.
The Participating PHE Networks
- PHE Ethiopia Consortium, Dialogue Lead: Endashaw Mogessie.
- Madagascar PHE Network, Dialogue Lead: Nantenaina Andriamalala.
- Kenya PHE Network, Dialogue Leads: Doreen Othero, Felix Otiato.
- Philippines PHE Network, Dialogue Leads: Faith Bacon, Dr. Joan Castro, Naida Pasion, Norma Pongan.
- Uganda PHE Network, Dialogue Leads: Charles Kabiswa, Raymond Ruyoka.
