The One Health concept
The ‘One Health’ concept is a holistic, multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary approach of health, which recognises that human, animal and environmental health are closely intertwined and interdependent.
The One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) of the Quadripartite (WHO, WOAH, FAO, and UNEP) has developed a widely accepted One Health definition, which is also subscribed by the Belgian One Health network (BeOH).
The WHO website offers a nice overview of key facts and the scope of the challenges our world faces in terms of One Health.
Since the start of the new millennium, worldwide many One Health initiatives have been developed. At the Belgian level the Belgian One Health network was created in 2019.
One Health in Belgium
In 2011 the Belgian Biodiversity Platform organised the Belgian Biodiversity & Health conference, aiming to raise scientific and policy attention in Belgium for the relation between Biodiversity and Public Health, to stimulate networking amongst experts and to discuss how the knowledge base on the issue could be improved. The conference wanted to contribute to building a Belgian Community of Expertise and Practice working on these topics.
As a follow-up to this conference, structural support for Biodiversity and One Health was established. Moreover, a series of publications followed, and an Inventory of Scientific Research Needs and Ideas (2012).
In 2016, the Belgian Biodiversity Platform organised the European One Health / EcoHealth Workshop, building upon a survey in which a wide range of relevant experts from science, policy and societal practice were consulted to give their perspective on the One Health ambition, and aiming to formulate messages on key lessons learned and key steps forward.
In 2019, the Belgian One Health network (BeOH) was launched (see launch report).
The Belgian One Health Network (BeOH)
Vision
Bringing together Belgian scientists, practitioners, citizens, decision-makers, and policy-makers to enable and stimulate sharing knowledge in support of sustainable health for humans, animals, plants, and the environment, joining the global effort and contributing to the pursuit of a One Health agenda in Belgium.
Missions
- We offer a multidisciplinary platform for all relevant stakeholders to nurture and strengthen the One Health approach in research, policy, and decision-making.
- We foster activities, collaboration, and information sharing between all actors and sectors to identify and cover One Health knowledge gaps.
- We leverage communication and enhance the visibility of knowledge and activities to raise awareness on the added value of the One Health approach.
The BeOH Coordination Team
The BeOH Coordination Team was created in 2023 to support the network's activities. Since its inception it has provided inputs for the BeOH's vision and missions, the update of the BeOH website, and the organisation of the BeOH events.
