Sustainability SIG – Meet & Share

Since the COVID pandemic, the relevance of the One Health approach to understand and address the complex health and planetary issues we face is receiving greater recognition. At the global and EU level, there are calls to inform, integrate, and coordinate cross-sector policies and actions based on One Health concepts. The SUS-SIG welcomes all EMWA members to come join a special Meet & Share session entitled, “One Health is over 20 years old. What is next?” on Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 18:00-19:00 hr (CET). This session will be led by One Health and EcoHealth consultant Craig Stephen, DVM PhD FCAHS. Come join us and share your questions and experience with the One Health approach!

Abstract

The phrase “One World – One Health” was coined and trademarked in 2004. Since then, One Health has found its way into numerous proclamations, agreements and policies at the multilateral, regional, national and local level. At no time in recent history, have so many agencies and governments been mentioning the interconnections of human, animal and environmental health. But as more and more organizations use the term for an ever-widening scope of activity, can One Health deliver? One Health is neither new nor unique. Several similar concepts are as old as time or have blossomed then faded over the last 5 decades. This talk will explore the gap between One Health’s good intentions and the reality of its application. It will propose some key opportunities and obstacles that need to be addressed to achieve the ideal of interspecies and intergenerational health equity and address the increasing acuteness and number of planetary emergencies. This talk will draw on Craig Stephen’s over 30 years experience working in this milieu.

Speaker Biography

Craig Stephen DVM PhD FCAHS has devoted his career to developing ideas, people, policies and evidence to concurrently promote the health of people and animals and their shared environments. He uses population health and health promotion concepts on a wide set of issues ranging from conservation, to climate change, to emerging diseases. This work has been recognized through his election as Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. As a One Health and EcoHealth consultant, Craig works globally with all levels of government, the non-profit sector, community groups, universities and industry to examine complex health issues at the nexus of people, animals and environments. His aim is to help develop sensible, practical and evidence-based policies that promote an inter-species and inter-generational approach to health. Craig is a veterinarian and epidemiologist. He currently leads the McEachran Institute, which is a Canadian charity dedicated to provoking disruptive thinking and forging collaborative solutions that protect animals, health, and society in a rapidly changing future.

To register click here