A roadmap for intergenerational leadership in planetary health

Towards a practice framework for transdisciplinary collaboration in planetary health

“…Transdisciplinary research approaches have been increasingly promoted and practiced in order to co-produce knowledge and urgent action towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, the emerging field of planetary health calls for the expansion of transdisciplinary (TD) knowledge integration and collaboration amongst scientific disciplines, policy, and societal stakeholders for more significant impact and coherence, as systemic disconnect among sectors could potentially delay meaningful and lasting impact (Pongsiri et al, 2017; Zeinali et al, 2020). Planetary health also offers a unique lens highlighting the interconnections amongst the health of natural systems, human health, and socio-economic development, as evidenced by the irreversible harm to human and environmental health caused by socio-economic development systems during the Anthropocene (Whitmee et al, 2015).…”

“…LMIC stakeholders' priorities and interests need to be central in the co-design for equitable outcomes and to meet relevant needs (Pratt & Hyder, 2017); hence LMIC stakeholders need to be engaged in research agenda setting, leadership, and decision-making (Clark et al, 2016a; Littman et al, 2021; Peters et al, 2013). Values & ethics: Consistent with planetary health priorities for intergenerational justice and equity (Ebi et al, 2020; Zeinali et al, 2020), TD collaborations must equally value and include relevant actors, sectors, and scales (Pongsiri & Bassi, 2021) through open listening, dialog, and respect for different perspectives (Newell & Proust, 2012). These values of equity and inclusivity are compatible with indigenous and decolonizing principles and methodologies (Chilisa, 2011; Smith, 2021).…”

“…Values & ethics: Consistent with planetary health priorities for intergenerational justice and equity (Ebi et al, 2020; Zeinali et al, 2020), TD collaborations must equally value and include relevant actors, sectors, and scales (Pongsiri & Bassi, 2021) through open listening, dialog, and respect for different perspectives (Newell & Proust, 2012). These values of equity and inclusivity are compatible with indigenous and decolonizing principles and methodologies (Chilisa, 2011; Smith, 2021).…”

Platforming youth voices in planetary health leadership and advocacy: an untapped reservoir for changemaking

“…The mechanisms to achieve integration include: (1) consulting existing youth advocates, (2) developing longitudinal relationships with youth-led networks, (3) providing visibility to youth engagement initiatives, and (4) ensuring accountability for engaging young people. 4 An example of an effective model is YOUNGO: the children and youth constituency of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This constituency forms a global network of youth activists ensuring that youth perspectives are included in decision making.…”

A planetary health blind spot: the untapped potential of women to safeguard nature and human resilience in LMICs

“…4 Voices from the most vulnerable countries are also severely under-represented in general global matters, and the field of planetary health is no exception. 5 A 2020 study showed that only 34 (17%) of the 200 leaders at prominent global health organisations were nationals from LMICs. 6 The same study found that a mere ten leaders (5%) in global health were women from LMICs.…”