Call for cross governmental leadership to strategic cooperation among multiple stakeholders in preventing injuries in Europe: Conclusions of the 2nd European Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 9–10 October 2008

Abstract

In this paper the conclusions of the 2nd European Conference on Injury Prevention are being presented. The conference aims were to promote the development of national plans, infrastructures and capacities for safety promotion at the regional, national and local levels and to facilitate government departments, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders in enhancing inter-sectoral collaboration and actions on injury prevention. Session moderators reported in a standardised format on the sessions they facilitated and their recommendations were given to European and national authorities and other stakeholders. The increasing European recognition of injuries as an important health and consumer protection issue is evidenced by the adoption of important policy documents, such as the Council Recommendation on the prevention of injuries and the promotion of safety and the WHO Regional Committee Resolution. Currently, there is a substantial knowledge base in injury prevention and some capacity available in various regions in Europe to act on that knowledge. The field has generated momentum that must now be harnessed and leveraged to create greater visibility for this important societal issue in health and other relevant policy at the national and EU levels. Member States and national governments should provide leadership to strategic cooperation among multiple stakeholders and ensure sustained political commitment and financing.

Keywords:

• injury prevention policy
• health and consumer protection
• European Union

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the following session moderators for their role in organising the concurrent sessions and for their reports on the outcome of discussions during these sessions: Ella Arensman, Mark Bellis, Maria Bényi, Othmar Bruegger, Ron Gainsford, Rupert Kisser, Ursela Loewe, Morag Mackay, Cees Meijer, Nadia Minicucci, Dinesh Sethi, Michaela Seifert, Chris Todd and Joanne Vincenten.