Dialogue, insights, and leadership for action and accountability:   

A special event series on the occasion of the 78th World Health Assembly  

The combination of effects of climate change, conflicts, the cost-of-living crisis and COVID-19 aftermath are rolling back decades of progress, with far-reaching effects for the most vulnerable, in particular women, children and adolescents. With the most recent geopolitical changes and sudden discontinuation of aid programs, we are at pivotal moment – shall we reset the narrative? The time has come for decisive and accelerated action to protect the promise and attain the Sustainable Development Goals for Women, Children and Adolescents.   

Lives in the Balance Series has been an essential space for learning, sharing and collaboration for prioritization and investment into maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health and wellbeing. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) - the world’s largest alliance for women’s, children’s, and adolescent’s health, chaired by the Rt Hon. Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, brings stakeholders together to discuss joint efforts for this critical agenda.    

At the 78th World Health Assembly two high-level “Lives in the Balance” events will be organized to prepare, highlight and consolidate critical discussions among WHA delegates:   

- Doing Better With Less: Rethinking the Approach to Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health, Sunday 18th, 18h00 - 20h00 CEST, Vieux Bois   

- Future Forward: Advancing adolescent data, measurement, and advocacy gaps, Monday, 19 May, 18h00 - 20h00 CEST, Domaine de Penthes   

The dialogues will be organized in-person in Geneva and live-streamed to enable virtual participation. Interpretation will be provided in French, Spanish, and International Sign Language.