Teklu explained that the “holistic and participatory community approach can bring real understanding between people and their environment, and between people and their health.”
Heather D’Agnes, technical advisor and PHE champion at USAID, led an enthusiastic discussion on PHE projects that ranged from conception to implementation, focusing on how the CIPHE members may better incorporate the PHE integrated model in their own projects.
Two short years ago, CIPHE began with a small but dedicated group of active members. Since then, the consortium has attracted more than 50 organizations. This year’s conference aims to “demonstrate population, health, and environment (PHE) interventions as reliable, cost effective, and innovative responses to diverse community needs by presenting local, regional and international developments in the PHE field.” The informal networking after the formal presentations offered a great opportunity for the consortium’s members to share lessons on PHE integration from across the vast country.
Next up: the conference attendees will visit PHE intervention sites for some hands-on experience.
ECSP Program Associate Sean Peoples is reporting from the CIPHE conference in Ethiopia.