In response to Wolf's invitation...

I think it would be very interesting to get some perspectives from this
list's members on exactly what we mean by "globalization", in order to
explore the themes you raise.

From my own view, I think what we are talking about is corporatization not
globalization.  (I also think this is yet another example of "hiding"
consolidation of power and wealth behind a very "friendly" term like
globalization.)  In my own practice, health promotion has always seemed very
global (in terms of networks, links, exchanges, ...)  The Public Health
aspect of health promotion work in particular, has always been highly
networked globally.   But, I don't think thats what we are really meaning
now.    I think the newer experience is with the increasing corporate
dominance and concentration of wealth (globally).  The most obvious way I
experience this in my own practice is in  watching the outflow of capital
(human and monetary) from the communities with which I work, thereby making
local development efforts increasingly fragile. I wonder if  this is a
global trend in health promotion practice, shared by those who work in
developing and "developed" (and I use the term sarcastically) countries.


Theresa Schumilas
Director, Family and Community Resources
Waterloo Regional Community Health Department
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

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>Dear Colleagues,
>
>I am in the process of investigating the effects of globalization and
>current economic developments on health promotion. I just came back from
>the World Conference of the International Union for Health Promotion and
>Education (IUHPE) in Puerto Rico where Lavada Pindar, the former Director
>General of the Health Promotion Directorate Canada, spoke on the issue in a
>keynote address. She talked about the resistance against the MAI
>(Multilateral Agreement on Investment) in Canada and the  need for more
>effective advocacy.
>
>I am interested in examing this issue from a global perspective, not just
>North American. What are the social/economic/political consequences of
>globalization with regard to health promotion? Negative and positive. What
>is the experience in your country? How can we as health promoters take
>advantage of the developments (e.g. information access, networking) and how
>can we work together to counter the negative effects? I would appreciate
>any useful references or ideas how to most efficiently delve into this
>issue. Or also any insight and personal views.
>
>Thank you very much.
>
>WOLF KIRSTEN
>International Program Manager
>National Center for Health Fitness
>Nebraska Hall - LL
>American University
>4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW
>Washington D.C.  20016-8037
>Tel: 202-885-6218 Fax: 202-885-1346
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>