International activities

WHO Healthy Cities -network

The World Health Organization (WHO) Healthy Cities is a network of European cities that has been established in 1988. The Healthy Cities network works together to put effort on health and wellbeing on the social, economic and political agenda of city governments. The network serves as a forum for exchanging experience, common policies and development projects. 
 
Kuopio has been involved in the WHO European network since 2005. From Finland, the cities of Turku and Helsinki are also included in the network. The Department of Health and Welfare coordinates the national network in Finland. Altogether, the WHO European Healthy Cities Network brings together about 100 flagship cities and 30 national networks. 
 
WHO Healthy Cities network’s activities are organized into 5-year-phases. Each of these phases have different priorities. For example, phase III, which took place between 1998 to 2002 focused on the social determinants of health, and phase IV from 2003 to 2008 emphasised healthy ageing. Currently ongoing seventh phase will continue until 2025. 
 
 

Phase VII: 2019-2025

Phase VII prioritizes the theme presented in the Copenhagen Consensus of Mayors and it is ”healthier and happier cities for all”. The Copenhagen Consensus of Mayors, is aligned with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and guides the work of World Health Organization's Healthy Cities. There are 6 main P’s and themes on phase seven. 
 
  • People - investing in the people who make up our cities
  • Participation - greater participation and partnerships for health and well-being
  • Prosperity - improved community prosperity and access to common goods and services
  • Planet - protect the planet from degradation and leading by example, including through sustainable consumption and production
  • Place - designing urban places that improve health and well-being 
  • Peace - promoting peace and security through inclusive societies

Contact information Contact information

Coordinator
Tanja Tilles-Tirkkonen
+358 44 718 2506
tanja.tilles-tirkkonen(at)kuopio.fi