World Health Organization and the search for accountability: a critical analysis of the new framework of engagement with non-state actors

Abstract

The article probes the origins and content of the Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA) of the World Health Organization (WHO), approved on May 28, 2016, at the 69th World Health Assembly, which established different rules of collaboration to four categories of actors: nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private sector entities, philanthropic foundations, and academic institutions. Applying the findings of International Legal Theory and based on extensive documentary research, we sought to determine whether FENSA is an appropriate accountability mechanism according to four functions of accountability: constitutional, democratic, epistemic, and populist. The article concludes that there is a risk of the prevalence of the populist function at the expense of the accountability potential that could result from the better use of the other three accountability functions.

Collaboration between the government and nongovernmental organizations in providing health-care services: A systematic review of challenges

“…[ 41 50 51 52 ] Rached emphasizes transparency, accountability, and mutual respect as important factors in explaining the principles governing the collaboration between the World Health Organization (WHO) and nongovernmental players. [ 59 ]…”

A governança global da saúde entre hard e soft law: os desafios da responsabilidade social das empresas farmacêuticas

“…Por isso, qualquer participação de atores privados continua sendo indireta, não oficial e, em grande parte, ad hoc. 17 Para lidar com as "formas jurídicas", a literatura mostra que alguns atores de grande poder político, econômico, técnico e científico, tais como as grandes corporações farmacêuticas, tornaram-se influentes nas instituições globais por meio do recrutamento dos Estados para a defesa de seus interesses. 18 Para Souza e Saldanha, 19 isso gera um sentimento de impotência em meio a um pluralismo normativo considerado por vezes incompreensível ou opressivo e que permeia os direitos internos, obstruindo o compromisso dos Estados de respeitar os direitos humanos protegidos pelo mesmo direito internacional que lhes coage política e economicamente a violá-los.…”

Searching for accountability: can the WHO global action plan for refugees and migrants deliver?

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