Press Release by the
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
XXXII International Conference “Addressing Global Health Inequalities”
On 16-18 November 2017 the Vatican’s New Synod Hall will host the XXXII International Conference, “Addressing Global Health Inequalities”, organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in collaboration with the International Confederation of Catholic Health-Care Institutions (C.I.I.S.A.C.).
The conference aims at examining the theme of inequalities, still present today in the world, with regard to health care services and healing, addressing various challenges in the health care sector: the construction of an economic system serving the person and a more just and inclusive society; the possibility of activating personalized assistance not only for the patient, but also for his or her family; the impact of pharmaceutical innovation and access to essential medicines for all; the issues of bioethics and the protection of the right to life of every person; the capacity for hospital management to reconcile efficiency and closeness to the poorest and most in need.
Special sessions will be dedicated to the ecclesial mission in the fields of assistance, and to the relationship between evangelization and pastoral care of the sick and the charity of Catholic healthcare institutions.
During the three days of the conference, the opening address will be given by Cardinal Peter K.A. Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and the introductory speeches by Dr. Christopher M. Dye, Director of Strategy, Policy and Information of the World Health Organization, on the theme of healthcare inequalities in world epidemiology, and by Dr. Anthony Tersigni, President of the C.I.I.S.A.C., as well as President and CEO of Ascension, who will present the activity of Catholic hospitals in combating medical inequalities. Other interventions will follow. They will be given by, among others: Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness; Cardinal Jean Zerbo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamako; Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, Metropolitan Archbishop of Agrigento; Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila and President of Caritas Internationalis; Cardinal William Jacobus Eljk, Metropolitan Archbishop of Utrecht; Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Syria; and Dr. Stefano Vella, President of AIFA; Prof. Amartya Sen, awarded the Nobel Prize for Economic Sciences.
The conference will also be attended by the heads of Catholic hospital structures from various parts of the world, delegates from charitable bodies and humanitarian organizations long engaged in medical assistance, representatives of the private, corporate and banking sectors.
The Minister of Health of the Italian Republic, the Hon. Beatrice Lorenzin is scheduled to extend a greeting to the participants.
On Thursday 16 November at 7.30 a Eucharistic celebration will be held at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica, presided by Cardinal Turkson.
For information please contact the Press and Communications Office of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development: Roberto Paglialonga (r.paglialonga@humandevelopment.va), Pamela Fabiano (p.fabiano@humandevelopment.va), Claudia di Lorenzi (c.dilorenzi@humandevelopment.va ).