WHO/Europe, in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), will host a 3-day workshop aimed at strengthening workforce capacity to effectively manage zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach in the Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova. The event is funded by the European Union under the EU4Health cross-border action, which focuses on protecting populations from serious cross-border health threats.
Adopting a multisectoral One Health approach is essential for addressing zoonotic diseases and other health threats emerging at the human–animal–environment interface. While there is strong commitment to One Health across the Western Balkans, countries continue to face challenges in operationalizing the approach. In particular, workforce competencies for managing zoonotic diseases within a One Health framework require further strengthening.
This workshop will support countries in the Western Balkans and Republic of Moldova in planning and strengthening a multisectoral workforce for the effective management of zoonotic diseases. Specifically, it will:
- identify existing and required multisectoral One Health functions, occupations and competencies;
- assess institutional capacities and associated competencies; and
- map global, regional and national competency-based education and training opportunities and tools to address identified gaps.
The workshop will also take stock of progress in operationalizing the One Health approach in the participating countries and help establish a cadre of trainers to support the design and implementation of in-country workforce development initiatives.
The programme is structured as follows:
- Day 1. Setting the scene and introduction to tools – reviewing progress in One Health implementation and introducing the workforce development tool;
- Day 2. Workforce analysis – examining occupations, functions and competencies, and identifying competency packages;
- Day 3. Planning – identifying regional and national resources and competency packages, and developing plans for country-level implementation.
The event will bring together approximately 20 participants from human health, veterinary, environmental and food safety sectors in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Republic of Moldova and Serbia. The workshop will be jointly facilitated by WHO and WOAH.