External report
Round table discussion on public-private partnerships in promotion of #HealthyLifestyle4All Short summary drawn from our round table discussion held at the European Parliament on Thursday, November 30th, 2023. Summary The round table discussion, jointly organized by ISCA, JOGG, and Schuttelaar & Partners, and hosted by MEP Manders under the banner of #HealthyLifestyle4All, aimed to bring together key stakeholders from food, pharmaceutical, sports and other industries, along with representatives from public health and sports/physical activity associations and initiatives dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles. The event placed a strong emphasis on maintaining confidentiality and fostering open dialogue, adhering to the principles of the Chatham House Rule. “We want to create the space for a realistic, constructive debate between industry, NGOs and policy makers to make progress for #HealthyLifestyles4All.” Following the introduction, JOGG, who is committed to promoting the well-being of young people and fostering healthier futures, delivered a presentation. The presentation highlighted the crucial role of public-private partnerships in policy and practice in achieving these goals. The event featured an interactive debate where participants from diverse sectors explored their roles in promoting health. They engaged in discussions regarding the health value of their products and strategies, shared responsibilities, and emphasized the importance of collaboration. ''I strongly encourage mutual commitment from both parties involved. I believe that each party can leverage their respective resources and strengths. Certain tasks, such as raising awareness or conducting educational activities, may rely on NGOs or the broader public sector.’’ ''Companies should ask themselves: what is my contribution to those risk factors and what is my strategy.'' Furthermore, participants from various organisations provided their unique perspectives on the promotion of health and well-being, sharing good practices and challenging each other. Topics included the shift toward prevention, the role of culture in health promotion, and the necessity for innovative and scalable solutions. “How do you see the conflict of interest between prevention and selling products? It’s about having a real purpose: We want to cure people, and we want to take care of people." During group discussions, participants reiterated the significance of cultural transformation, empowerment, and environmental change by replying to questions such as: ‘What kind of innovative and scalable solutions can we envision to some of the problems mentioned?’, ‘How can we overcome the challenges associated with Public Private Partnerships (PPP)?’. They highlighted the need for effective communication, community cohesion, and the broad support for health-promoting physical activity such as cycling. Some groups proposed the pooling of knowledge to generate innovative solutions and the development of long-term societal strategies. In conclusion, the event underscored the importance of collective action in shaping a healthier future for all European citizens, placing significant emphasis on collaborative efforts and shared responsibility.