With their explanatory work they make an important contribution to the prevention of disease. The involvement and the promotion of locally established and respected persons, institutions and groups, especially in connection with prevention work, is of particular importance as far as acceptance and perseverance with projects are concerned. This is also true for the promotion of proven and recognized traditional medicine. We attach special importance to the education of women and girls. This is the key to social and economic develop- ment.
Educated women are in a better position to care for their own health and for that of their families.
They have fewer and healthier children. These women use any supplementary income to improve the nutrition, health and education of their children. In their families, maternal mortality and infant mortality rates are lower. Good governance, that is, the readiness and the will of a government to invest in improvement of the life situation of the population at large, has a positive influence on the development and the effectiveness of projects. The efforts of governments in this respect must be supported.