natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
There is no inexorable link between growth and improved health and welfare.
There is no inexorable link between growth and improved health and welfare.
It is politics that drives history, not inevitable laws of economics.
It is politics that drives history, not inevitable laws of economics.
Furthermore, we know beyond doubt today that extreme inequity leads to social tension, conflicts and instability.
Furthermore, we know beyond doubt today that extreme inequity leads to social tension, conflicts and instability.
We know that it impedes the productivity of a population, we know that it undermines democracy, and we know that it causes a population’s health to deteriorate, not only in poor countries, but also in the richest among nations.
We know that it impedes the productivity of a population, we know that it undermines democracy, and we know that it causes a population’s health to deteriorate, not only in poor countries, but also in the richest among nations.
For some decades, principles such as equity and fairness have been associated with a certain political approach.
For some decades, principles such as equity and fairness have been associated with a certain political approach.
That may still be the case.
That may still be the case.
They certainly figure prominently among the ideals of my social democratic political family.
They certainly figure prominently among the ideals of my social democratic political family.
But now research and other compelling evidence is showing how countries with greater equity – less difference between rich and poor – generally fare a lot better.
But now research and other compelling evidence is showing how countries with greater equity – less difference between rich and poor – generally fare a lot better.
They make better use of human potential, they are able to build on and enhance social capital, and they are showing the way towards the most noble of all WHO objectives – health for all.
They make better use of human potential, they are able to build on and enhance social capital, and they are showing the way towards the most noble of all WHO objectives – health for all.
My point is this: sustainable development is increasingly a question of equity, of good governance and national priorities that protect all the citizens in a country and provide for their basic needs – health ranging prominently among them.
My point is this: sustainable development is increasingly a question of equity, of good governance and national priorities that protect all the citizens in a country and provide for their basic needs – health ranging prominently among them.
It is in this context that we also need a new perspective on research and innovation and access to life saving medicines.
It is in this context that we also need a new perspective on research and innovation and access to life saving medicines.
Market forces will not fix global equity “by magic”.
Market forces will not fix global equity “by magic”.
I note that new, fresh ideas have been put forward.
I note that new, fresh ideas have been put forward.
Let them inspire our sense of purpose and common resolve.
Let them inspire our sense of purpose and common resolve.
Central to any effort to combat inequity and enhance the potential of a population is the empowerment of women.
Central to any effort to combat inequity and enhance the potential of a population is the empowerment of women.
Again, in recent years, there has been growing evidence of the link between the empowerment of women and economic growth and development.
Again, in recent years, there has been growing evidence of the link between the empowerment of women and economic growth and development.
Extending educational and employment opportunities to women can improve the health and educational outcomes of entire families.
Extending educational and employment opportunities to women can improve the health and educational outcomes of entire families.
My country, Norway, is a prosperous country today.
My country, Norway, is a prosperous country today.
A hundred years ago, however, we were one of Europe’s poorest.
A hundred years ago, however, we were one of Europe’s poorest.
One of the main reasons for our progress is that we have succeeded in mobilising all our human resources and putting them to good use.
One of the main reasons for our progress is that we have succeeded in mobilising all our human resources and putting them to good use.
This has not come without a political struggle on the part of pioneers - and first among these are brave women.
This has not come without a political struggle on the part of pioneers - and first among these are brave women.
Today, we can look back and see that every time our country has enacted a major piece of legislation to empower women – from universal suffrage a century ago, to the universal availability of day care for children, and the requirement for 40 % of corporate boards to be made up of women just a few years ago – a long-term benefit to the economy has followed.
Today, we can look back and see that every time our country has enacted a major piece of legislation to empower women – from universal suffrage a century ago, to the universal availability of day care for children, and the requirement for 40 % of corporate boards to be made up of women just a few years ago – a long-term benefit to the economy has followed.
Three out of four women are employed in the formal labour market in Norway.
Three out of four women are employed in the formal labour market in Norway.
This is one of the highest rates in the world.
This is one of the highest rates in the world.
Since the early 1970s, women have doubled the pool of human resources in the workforce.
Since the early 1970s, women have doubled the pool of human resources in the workforce.
They have created new jobs and generated tax revenue, enabling us to continue to invest in welfare and opportunities for all.
They have created new jobs and generated tax revenue, enabling us to continue to invest in welfare and opportunities for all.
The same is true for the other Nordic countries.
The same is true for the other Nordic countries.
I believe the key political lesson is this: strengthening women’s empowerment is a high-return investment in better health – for women themselves, yes, but also for their families and for society as a whole.
I believe the key political lesson is this: strengthening women’s empowerment is a high-return investment in better health – for women themselves, yes, but also for their families and for society as a whole.
And just as this cause must be fought politically in every country, it must also be raised internationally – pointing to the evidence, and supporting effective advocacy.
And just as this cause must be fought politically in every country, it must also be raised internationally – pointing to the evidence, and supporting effective advocacy.
This is why I have initiated, together with the World Bank, WHO, UN Women, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the medical journal The Lancet, a project to address gaps in our knowledge about the importance of investment in female health as a major driver of sustainable economic development.
This is why I have initiated, together with the World Bank, WHO, UN Women, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the medical journal The Lancet, a project to address gaps in our knowledge about the importance of investment in female health as a major driver of sustainable economic development.
I am particularly grateful that Dr Chan has agreed to take part in the reference group for this project together with the Executive Director of UN Women, Michele Bachelet.
I am particularly grateful that Dr Chan has agreed to take part in the reference group for this project together with the Executive Director of UN Women, Michele Bachelet.
The outcome of the project will be presented in The Lancet in just over a year from now.
The outcome of the project will be presented in The Lancet in just over a year from now.
Let me conclude with a couple more reflections on the way ahead for global health.
Let me conclude with a couple more reflections on the way ahead for global health.
The last decade stands out as a leap forward in global health, with remarkable achievements both in substance and method.
The last decade stands out as a leap forward in global health, with remarkable achievements both in substance and method.
We - who work outside the health sector - need to learn from these successes and find inspiration for new initiatives in other areas of development.
We - who work outside the health sector - need to learn from these successes and find inspiration for new initiatives in other areas of development.
Between 2000 and 2010, a number of serious – and sometimes catastrophic – trends in global health were arrested and reversed.
Between 2000 and 2010, a number of serious – and sometimes catastrophic – trends in global health were arrested and reversed.
AIDS, which a decade ago was out of control and threatening to devastate whole continents, is being managed through a remarkable demonstration of international solidarity and ingenuity.
AIDS, which a decade ago was out of control and threatening to devastate whole continents, is being managed through a remarkable demonstration of international solidarity and ingenuity.
Child mortality, which was around 12 million per year in the 1990s, has been reduced by more than a third thanks to improved vaccination rates, a dramatic improvement in malaria control and AIDS treatment and prevention.
Child mortality, which was around 12 million per year in the 1990s, has been reduced by more than a third thanks to improved vaccination rates, a dramatic improvement in malaria control and AIDS treatment and prevention.
In recent years, enhanced efforts to improve maternal mortality are having an impact on the ground.
In recent years, enhanced efforts to improve maternal mortality are having an impact on the ground.
However, we cannot accept a world where close to 1000 women die every day in connection with childbirth.
However, we cannot accept a world where close to 1000 women die every day in connection with childbirth.
We cannot accept a world where, in spite of substantial progress, 20 000 children die every day from preventable causes, and where – in poor countries – only one in four women gives birth with proper medical assistance, only one in three children with severe diarrhoea receives lifesaving fluids, and over 200 million women do not get the family planning help they need.
We cannot accept a world where, in spite of substantial progress, 20 000 children die every day from preventable causes, and where – in poor countries – only one in four women gives birth with proper medical assistance, only one in three children with severe diarrhoea receives lifesaving fluids, and over 200 million women do not get the family planning help they need.
Again, this harms us as a human family.
Again, this harms us as a human family.
And it challenges our political decision making processes far beyond the health sector itself.
And it challenges our political decision making processes far beyond the health sector itself.
Today, we are calling for a massive effort to eliminate the tragic and preventable deaths that these statistics lead to.
Today, we are calling for a massive effort to eliminate the tragic and preventable deaths that these statistics lead to.
Because it can be done.
Because it can be done.
This is not high-tech rocket science – it is low-tech human endeavour.
This is not high-tech rocket science – it is low-tech human endeavour.
Over the last two years, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the focus on women and children, such as: the launch of the UN Secretary-General’s “Every Woman Every Child” initiative; the US Government’s Global Health Initiative, including “Saving Mothers Giving Life”; and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Over the last two years, we have seen an unprecedented increase in the focus on women and children, such as: the launch of the UN Secretary-General’s “Every Woman Every Child” initiative; the US Government’s Global Health Initiative, including “Saving Mothers Giving Life”; and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
In addition, the UK and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are planning a summit in July to address the gap in family planning, and UNICEF – together with various partners – is planning a high-level event on child health in June.
In addition, the UK and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are planning a summit in July to address the gap in family planning, and UNICEF – together with various partners – is planning a high-level event on child health in June.
Today, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will chair the new UN Commission on Life-saving Commodities for Women and Children in New York, which will provide recommendations to all countries and stakeholders on how we can make such commodities available to all who need them by addressing trade and distribution problems.
Today, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will chair the new UN Commission on Life-saving Commodities for Women and Children in New York, which will provide recommendations to all countries and stakeholders on how we can make such commodities available to all who need them by addressing trade and distribution problems.
Most of the progress we have seen in the past decade has quite simply been due to a significant increase in health investments.
Most of the progress we have seen in the past decade has quite simply been due to a significant increase in health investments.
In absolute terms, these increases have been modest – a single-digit billion dollar figure per year spread over nearly 150 countries.
In absolute terms, these increases have been modest – a single-digit billion dollar figure per year spread over nearly 150 countries.
But the fact that this has led to such a dramatic leap in terms of lives saved shows just how cost-effective health investments are.
But the fact that this has led to such a dramatic leap in terms of lives saved shows just how cost-effective health investments are.
We can achieve much more by investing wisely and maintaining focus on innovation.
We can achieve much more by investing wisely and maintaining focus on innovation.
We need to tap into new opportunities, such as the widespread presence of mobile phones even in the poorest and most remote settings.
We need to tap into new opportunities, such as the widespread presence of mobile phones even in the poorest and most remote settings.
We cannot allow this momentum to be lost, particularly in these times of financial crisis, when public budgets are being cut.
We cannot allow this momentum to be lost, particularly in these times of financial crisis, when public budgets are being cut.
As governments, we need to live up to our commitments to finance the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is emerging from a reorganisation process that will hopefully make it even more effective.
As governments, we need to live up to our commitments to finance the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which is emerging from a reorganisation process that will hopefully make it even more effective.
We need to maintain our support for GAVI, WHO and Unicef’s vaccination efforts.
We need to maintain our support for GAVI, WHO and Unicef’s vaccination efforts.
We need to strengthen investments in the Secretary-General’s “Every Mother Every Child” initiative, with particular focus on the goal of no more children being born with HIV by 2015.
We need to strengthen investments in the Secretary-General’s “Every Mother Every Child” initiative, with particular focus on the goal of no more children being born with HIV by 2015.
We need to strengthen and support a reformed WHO that can play an even more important role in the years to come in setting global health policy, and norms and standards for global health governance.
We need to strengthen and support a reformed WHO that can play an even more important role in the years to come in setting global health policy, and norms and standards for global health governance.
I can assure you that Norway will maintain its focus on global health, both as a funder and as an engaged partner.
I can assure you that Norway will maintain its focus on global health, both as a funder and as an engaged partner.
The Prime Minister is deeply committed, as are my colleagues the Minister of Health and Care Services – present here today – and the Minister of International Development, as well as many more, as this engagement cuts across many sectors.
The Prime Minister is deeply committed, as are my colleagues the Minister of Health and Care Services – present here today – and the Minister of International Development, as well as many more, as this engagement cuts across many sectors.
And in a few days, the Norwegian Parliament will debate the first ever white paper on global health.
And in a few days, the Norwegian Parliament will debate the first ever white paper on global health.
The growth period in global health that emerged at the turn of the century was partly due to WHO’s ability to reach out.
The growth period in global health that emerged at the turn of the century was partly due to WHO’s ability to reach out.
Yes, WHO is the lead agency in health; this is spelled out in its constitution.
Yes, WHO is the lead agency in health; this is spelled out in its constitution.
But leadership is not a birthright – it must be earned.
But leadership is not a birthright – it must be earned.
I believe WHO will preserve and enhance its pivotal role by continuing to reach out and build broader momentum for change.
I believe WHO will preserve and enhance its pivotal role by continuing to reach out and build broader momentum for change.
It is in the field of health that we have seen – and must continue to see - initiatives for involving civil society, the private sector and research communities in decision-making and planning.
It is in the field of health that we have seen – and must continue to see - initiatives for involving civil society, the private sector and research communities in decision-making and planning.
It is in the field of health that we have seen – and must continue to see - more cost-effective programmes based on measurable results and the mobilisation of new sources of financing.
It is in the field of health that we have seen – and must continue to see - more cost-effective programmes based on measurable results and the mobilisation of new sources of financing.
The Global Fund, UNITAID, GAVI, and a large number of other public–private partnerships have bolstered efficiency, innovation and progress in health.
The Global Fund, UNITAID, GAVI, and a large number of other public–private partnerships have bolstered efficiency, innovation and progress in health.
Many more sectors can benefit from a closer study of lessons learned – positive as well as negative.
Many more sectors can benefit from a closer study of lessons learned – positive as well as negative.
Against this backdrop of activity and innovation, it is still unclear how all this has affected the governance landscape of global health.
Against this backdrop of activity and innovation, it is still unclear how all this has affected the governance landscape of global health.
It can seem chaotic at times.
It can seem chaotic at times.
Who are the key players?
Who are the key players?
And are they singing the same tune?
And are they singing the same tune?
In order to get some clear answers to such questions, Norway has helped establish the independent academic Commission on Global Governance for Health.
In order to get some clear answers to such questions, Norway has helped establish the independent academic Commission on Global Governance for Health.
The aim of the Commission, announced last November, is to draw up a roadmap for the protection and promotion of health in the many global governance processes affecting health.
The aim of the Commission, announced last November, is to draw up a roadmap for the protection and promotion of health in the many global governance processes affecting health.
The University of Oslo, and the Harvard Global Health Institute, assisted by The Lancet, are leading this work.
The University of Oslo, and the Harvard Global Health Institute, assisted by The Lancet, are leading this work.
I am confident that the Commission’s report will be a catalyst for discussions and debates, and lay the foundation for a second stage of consultations and deliberations in international decision-making forums.
I am confident that the Commission’s report will be a catalyst for discussions and debates, and lay the foundation for a second stage of consultations and deliberations in international decision-making forums.
We are quickly approaching 2015, the target year for the Millennium Development Goals.
We are quickly approaching 2015, the target year for the Millennium Development Goals.
The process of looking beyond 2015 is starting as ministers prepare to gather in Rio, 20 years after 1992.
The process of looking beyond 2015 is starting as ministers prepare to gather in Rio, 20 years after 1992.
We must ensure that health retains a central place on the post-2015 agenda.
We must ensure that health retains a central place on the post-2015 agenda.
We look forward to working with Prime Minister Cameron who will chair the UN’s work on this important issue.
We look forward to working with Prime Minister Cameron who will chair the UN’s work on this important issue.
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen, fellow ministers,
I am honoured to be speaking to the World Health Assembly from this podium, and recall the meeting in 1998 when Dr Amartya Sen was the first external invited speaker to address the WHA.
I am honoured to be speaking to the World Health Assembly from this podium, and recall the meeting in 1998 when Dr Amartya Sen was the first external invited speaker to address the WHA.
His message was crystal clear:
His message was crystal clear:
Health is crucial for development, not only for economic reasons, but also because improved health promotes freedom and quality of life.
Health is crucial for development, not only for economic reasons, but also because improved health promotes freedom and quality of life.
He stressed how an informed public debate and the availability of democratic tools are crucial for a country to set the right priorities and ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to health.
He stressed how an informed public debate and the availability of democratic tools are crucial for a country to set the right priorities and ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to health.
We need to bear Dr Sen’s words in mind as we get to work to create a better, more equitable and healthier world.
We need to bear Dr Sen’s words in mind as we get to work to create a better, more equitable and healthier world.
This noble task cannot be confined to a single sector of politics.
This noble task cannot be confined to a single sector of politics.
It needs the full mobilisation of us all.
It needs the full mobilisation of us all.
Keynote address at the World Health Assembly
Hovedinnlegg i Verdens helseforsamling
Article in Morgenbladet (Oslo) 11 September 2009
Kronikk i Morgenbladet 11. september 2009
A long list exists of small and large projects involving Norwegian exhibitions, cooperation and interaction with cultural circles in other countries.
Rekken er lang av små og store prosjekter med norske framvisninger, samarbeid og samspill med miljøer i andre land.
The high season for music festivals has just ended.
Høysesongen for musikkfestivaler er nettopp over.
During July I even managed to hold my own ‘festival’ when I hosted one of Swedish Radio’s long-established Sommar programmes presenting music and opinions.
I juli fikk jeg holde min egen «festival» som vert for et av Sveriges Radios tradisjonsrike «Sommar»-programmer med musikk og meninger.
So, what is a foreign minister doing getting involved in such events?
Hva har så utenriksministeren med slikt å gjøre?