Strengthening resilience: a priority shared by Health 2020 ...

1 Strengthening resilience: a priority shared by Health 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals Strengthening resilience: a priority shared by Health 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals Abstract Resilience is at the core of the WHO European policy framework for Health and well- being Health 2020 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Despite resilience having become a buzz-word of late, its concept is often misunderstood. This publication illustrates the three levels of resilience (individual, community and system) and their implications for Health .

2 It also describes four capacities of resilience absorptive, adaptive, anticipatory and transformative which can be applied at all three levels. The publication expands on the WHO publication, Building resilience: a key pillar of Health 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Examples from the WHO small countries initiative. Keywords: RESILIENCE, PSYCHOLOGICAL. SOCIAL SUPPORT. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. GOALS. CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. Health POLICY. Address requests about publications of the WHO Regional Office for Europe to: Publications WHO Regional Office for Europe UN City, Marmorvej 51.

3 DK-2100 Copenhagen , Denmark Alternatively, complete an online request form for documentation, Health information, or for permission to quote or translate, on the Regional Office web site ( pubrequest). World Health Organization 2017. All rights reserved. The Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization welcomes requests for permission to reproduce or translate its publications, in part or in full. The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

4 Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers' products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters. All reasonable precautions have been taken by the World Health Organization to verify the information contained in this publication.

5 However, the published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. In no event shall the World Health Organization be liable for damages arising from its use. The views expressed by authors, editors, or expert groups do not necessarily represent the decisions or the stated policy of the World Health Organization. Edited by Nicole Satterley Book design by Marta Pasqualato Printed in Italy by AREAGRAPHICA SNC DI TREVISAN GIANCARLO & FIGLI.

6 Cover: Kelly Anderson This publication was prepared by Erio Ziglio, Honorary Professor, University of Applied Sciences Tirol, Austria CONTENTS. Aims of the Issues 1. What do we mean by resilience?..3. Resilience at individual and community 4. System-level 5. Specifications when using the term 7. 2. The role of resilience in Health 3. The role of resilience in the 4. The role of Health 5. The role of other Conclusions ..19. Annex 1 Types of resilience Annex 2 Frequently asked questions about iii iv Simon Matzinger Aims of the publication Nowadays, the concept of resilience is being used increasingly in academia, among professional bodies, in business, by human rights and civil society organizations and in a wide range of policy sectors.

7 The concept may run the risk of over-exposure and being used as fashionable buzz word; the risk is that once the fashion passes, the concept may be quickly abandoned. Strengthening individual-, community- and system-level resilience is far too important for effective Health interventions, and therefore such a risk must be avoided. In the Health field, Strengthening resilience is to form part of policies and programmes designed to promote an holistic and sustainable approach to individual and community Health and well-being.

8 To foster lasting and meaningful action to strengthen resilience to improve Health and well-being, it is vital to be clear about its particular significance. This is what this publication sets out to achieve. Since the endorsement of Health 2020 (1), the topic of resilience has been particularly present on the agenda of the meetings of the WHO small countries initiative (2 5). This publication builds and expands on the discussions held, and outcomes achieved, at those meetings. In particular, it expands on a recent publication of the WHO.

9 Regional Office for Europe, entitled Building resilience: a key pillar of Health 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals. Examples from the WHO small countries initiative (6). It aims to shed light on the importance of Strengthening individual-, community- and system- level resilience for population Health and well-being outcomes. The publication maintains that Strengthening resilience is crucial in order to make progress towards the implementation of both the Health 2020. targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

10 The publication has three crucial aims: first, to provide a comprehensive review of the literature showing the significance of resilience for Health and well-being outcomes; second, to ensure that Strengthening resilience and developing supportive environments are an integral part of current and future processes to align national and subnational Health plans with the Health 2020 policy framework; and third, to emphasize that such processes should impact on resilience-building and fully exploit the many beneficial synergies between Health 2020.