Skip navigation Bloggers Tales from the front line of our work to eradicate poverty worldwide. Home Map About Policy Neil Squires Human Development Adviser, Mozambique Ivan Lewis: ‘IHP isn’t an initiative, it’s common sense’ Posted 13 March 2009 Ivan Lewis, after dinner speech in Brighton Ivan Lewis gave a resounding endorsement of the International Health Partnership in his speech to health, human development and AIDS advisers in Brighton last week. I am always amazed at the long hours Ministers, and their staff, often have to put in to meet their various commitments. Traffic delayed the arrival of the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in Brighton, and we were all just about to tuck in to our puddings when he arrived! It was dark and raining outside, but spirits at the dinner were good, after a rich day of discussion and debate. Ivan Lewis, in his speech, mentioned his recent trip to the inter-ministerial meeting on the International Health Partnership, held in Geneva in February. He acknowledged the complexity of working in the health sector, with large numbers of agencies and initiatives being a particular difficulty. A number of Health Minister's at the Geneva had highlighted the challenges they face in trying to get agencies to support national priorities and plans. They were clear that there is a real need to increase alignment of funding behind national plans at the country level. Ivan Lewis' comment that the IHP is not an initiative, but is common sense, effectively conveyed his belief that the principles set out in the International Health Partnership are the right way forward. Ivan Lewis' speech went on to highlight the importance of maintaining focus on the MDGs in this time of economic crisis and to discuss the importance of social protection mechanisms to mitigate the worst effects of the economic crisis on the lives of the poorest. After four days of intensive discussions and debate, my batteries are charged for the return flight to Mozambique, armed with insights provided by my colleagues working in other countries which I hope will help enrich the policy dialogue in Mozambique. In Mozambique we are in the midst of preparations for one of the twice yearly policy discussion with the Minister of Health, which will be an opportunity to consider how health in Mozambique might weather the effects of the global economic crisis. I will keep you posted as preparations for that meeting are underway. Tags for this article: Brighton, health, International Health Partnership More posts by Neil 't a comment Your name Your email address (not for publication) Your website (if you have one) Your comment Notify me of followup comments via e-mail Subscribe without commenting E-Mail: RSS feeds Follow our blogs with these data feeds: Neil's blog only Updates to all blogs on the site Comments on all our blogs If you aren't already using RSS feeds, try Google Reader, iGoogle or Bloglines.This video explains what RSS is all about. Latest posts 'From the Caribbean to Rwanda: could there be linkages?' by Elizabeth Carriere 'A DFID Christmas wish for a peaceful 2010' by Neil Squires 'Brotherly challenge, part 3: should individuals reduce their emissions?' by Vicky Seymour 'Brotherly challenge, part 2: low carbon development' by Vicky Seymour Recent comments Dipendra Paudel on 'Next steps for Nepal?': Dear Sarah, Is there any developmental plans that DFID is implemeting in Nepal ? If so why no to make it public so that Nepalese and the society who are... Madeleine Thomson on 'Blog Action Day | Climate change and Mozambique': Hi Neil Just thought that you and your blog community might like to see this video on climate and health in Africa –... Peter mmassy on 'Is China a developed or developing country?': China being the developed country should not guarantee the industrial supremacy but it should observe the general welfare of the... Monthly archives December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 Your Questions Answered Terms and Conditions Accessibility Glossary Access to Information Help DFID around the web: Related Sites: Copyright Department for International Development 2009