Dr Peter Daszak and Dr Margot Parkes agree that the International Association for Ecology and Health (EcoHealth) stands to gain tremendously through partnering with other organizations. Moreover, it has an important role to play in fostering relationships among members. The International Ecohealth Forum (IEF 2008) was fertile ground for both goals.

 

Dr Daszak said the EcoHealth Association and IDRC formed a truly successful partnership in implementing IEF 2008—“a relationship that is mutually beneficial and is based on two-way communication and learning.” Dr Parkes said the partnership was “a win / win” since the EcoHealth Association gained a new perspective and community.

 

Dr Daszak said he hopes to continue this partnership and to create others that can expand the Association’s horizons. One of the goals for IEF 2008 was “to promote conversations among people working in different disciplines from different parts of the world.” Dr Parkes, for instance, had several rich conversations with many scientists and policymakers, including representatives from the National Institute of Public Health of Mexico and the Pan American Health Organization as they synthesized the Forum’s summary session from their respective ecohealth perspectives.

 

Both Drs Daszak and Parkes said they see the new global membership as necessary and exciting but acknowledge that the challenge for the Association will be to keep this membership engaged. Currently, the Association’s journal Ecohealth and its events and conferences continue the momentum.

 

The Association’s expanded membership and IEF 2008 also brought a wide range of themes to the organization. Dr Parkes believes the Ecohealth journal is the ideal forum to address the methodological challenges that link seemingly disparate themes such as oceans and human health.

 

Before the next International Forum in London in 2010, the EcoHealth Association has work to do, particularly in defining ecohealth, said Dr Daszak. “We are also working to identify people within the organization who have the time and energy to engage members in innovative ways.”