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Preface
A common understanding of the voluntary sector and a shared language
are essential for refining and implementing this action framework.
Agreed upon definitions do not yet exist, however initiatives are
underway to gain consensus on terms and to develop a description
and typology of the Voluntary Health Sector.
The following "working" definitions and descriptions
were developed to provide context and enhance understanding of this
framework. They make it possible for Health Canada and national
voluntary organizations working in health (NVOWH) to move forward
on implementing this A Framework for Action" in the short -
term.
Working Definitions and Descriptions
1. National Voluntary Organizations Working
in Health (NVOWH)*
Includes organizations that:
- have the health of the people of Canada as a primary focus
- are volunteer in nature and structure, with volunteer participation
in governance, and/or program and service delivery
- provide a national perspective and undertake activities which
are primarily national in scope
Professional associations, which primarily serve and represent
their members, are considered outside this framework.
2. Health
"Health" is used in its broadest sense. Health is:
- concerned with the quality of life of the general population,
of sub - populations and of individuals
- holistic, addressing overall health of individuals including
social, mental, emotional and physical health
- related to the capacity of individuals to influence their own
health, the health of others and the health of their communities
- influenced by a broad range of factors and the interactions
among these factors including: biology and genetic endowment,
personal health practices and coping skills, social and physical
environments, income and social status, employment and working
conditions, education, social support networks, early child development,
gender, culture and health services
- about health promotion, prevention, protection and quality
health care.
3. Health System
The term "health system" encompasses services delivered
by the voluntary sector and the range of services, programs, supports
and resources that contribute to the health of the people of Canada.
The "health care system", is an interlocking set of
ten provincial and two territorial health insurance plans.
4. Voluntary Sector
- consists of individuals and organizations whose activities
are carried out primarily but not exclusively, by volunteers
- has as its essential attribute the willingness of people to
donate their time, knowledge, skills, energy and resources to
assist fellow citizens
- is involved in activities designed to provide help to individuals,
families, groups and communities; these "helping" activities
include: direct service, information exchange, public awareness,
education, support, fundraising, advocacy, research, public dialogue
and policy development.
5. Voluntary Organizations
- help to organize voluntary action and volunteers to: further
a shared public interest or objective; provide services, supports
and resources; and, engage in dialogue and action
- do not seek profit as an end in itself
- are accountable to constituencies or members through democratic
governing structures and, sometimes, legal frameworks
- encompass national, provincial, territorial, regional, local,
grassroots and citizens' organizations
- may have a financial relationship for which they are accountable,
with governments, foundations, the private sector and citizens,
but are autonomous and independent.
1. Introduction
This "Framework for Action" provides a starting point
for a renewed relationship between national voluntary organizations
working in health (NVOWH)* and Health Canada.
The framework focuses on voluntary organizations working at the
national level. It is recognized that Health Canada has equally
important and valuable relationships with voluntary sector organizations
at the regional, provincial, territorial and local levels.
This framework may be used as a building block for a broader policy
framework on Voluntary Health Sector and Health Canada relationships
at all levels and a model for other federal departments, levels
of government and voluntary sector organizations.
1.1 National Voluntary Organizations Working
in Health
NVOWH* are diverse in size, scope, origins,
and focus. They share a tremendous capacity to mobilize volunteers.
They contribute millions of volunteer hours annually to benefit
the health of the people of Canada.
NVOWH* contribute to health and focus efforts
in a variety of ways by identifying emerging issues. They are active
in a broad range of issues such as:
- Aboriginal People
- Adolescents
- Children
- Consumers
- Disabilities
- Environment
- Fitness and Active Living
- Families
- Health Protection
- Human Rights
- Illness, Disease / Chronic Disease
- International Health
- Multiculturalism
- Older Persons
- Research and Policy
- Safety and Injury Prevention
- Social Development
- Women
1.2 Health Canada
Responsibility for health is shared by all of us, by citizens,
community and voluntary groups, governments at all levels, labour
and the private sector. Health services fall under several jurisdictions
and sectors. Collaboration on health and strong working relationships
are fundamental to achieving a better quality of life for the people
of Canada.
Within the Federal Government, Health Canada is the Department
with general responsibility for the health and safety of the people
of Canada. Health Canada works with other federal departments, other
levels of government, non - profit and voluntary organizations,
the private sector and citizens to achieve the Department's mission
to help the people of Canada maintain and improve their health.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this "Framework for Action" is:
- to build effective and long - term relationships between national
voluntary organizations working in health and Health Canada in
order to benefit the health of the people of Canada.
The framework sets out:
- a common goal for the relationship
- shared principles
- areas of investment
- immediate actions for moving forward.
It provides explicit recognition:
- of the interdependence of Health Canada and national voluntary
organizations working in health in helping the people of Canada
improve their own health, the health of others and the health
of their communities
- of the importance of a national voice and participation in
health by citizens and communities
- that greater participation by national voluntary organizations
working in health in health policy will create better policy,
better programs and better health for the people of Canada
- of the value of collaboration on projects that improve health
and the health system
- of the need to build the organizational and financial capacity
of national voluntary organizations working in health to enable
the sector to collaborate on health policy and programs
- of the importance of a collective commitment and a framework
to build the relationship.
3. A Common Goal
Help the people of Canada to improve their own health, the health
of others and the health of their communities.
4. Shared Principles
The following five principles provide a basis for a new relationship
between national voluntary organizations working in health and Health
Canada:
- cooperation to benefit the health of the people of Canada
- recognition of diverse needs, interests and capacity
- respect
- transparency
- accountability.
4.1 Cooperation to Benefit the Health of the
People of Canada
Keeping sight of how the relationship benefits the health of the
people of Canada is foremost.
National voluntary organizations working in health and Health
Canada seek to improve the health of the people of Canada by:
- providing opportunities for individuals and communities to
help shape the health agenda and to become involved in health
policy and emerging health issues
- enhancing opportunities to volunteer and to participate in
programs, services and activities that directly contribute to
health
- increasing effectiveness and responsiveness of the health system
to the needs of citizens and communities of Canada
- supporting access to a comprehensive range of health programs,
services and supports
- increasing the quality and accessibility of information on
health and risks to health
- mobilizing resources for health.
4.2 Recognition of Diverse Needs, Interests
and Capacities
It is recognized that there are diverse needs, interests and capacities
within and between national voluntary organizations working in health
and Health Canada and that:
- national voluntary organizations working in health are highly
diverse, differing significantly in size, scope, structure, origins
and focus
- collective action can be a challenge
- mandates, policies, priorities, resources, issues of confidentiality
and governance may limit capacity for collaboration and partnerships
in both sectors
- both Health Canada and national voluntary organizations working
in health bring a range of resources to the relationship including,
expertise, financial and human resources, material resources,infrastructure
and information
- the costs to national voluntary organizations working in health
of maintaining a national voice, a national infrastructure and
volunteer participation in governance and activities are significant
- Health Canada recognizes a need to link with the people of
Canada, and that the voluntary sector provides an important vehicle
for making this link
- financial and organizational stability are essential qualities
for effective collaboration
- although national voluntary organizations working in health
have a tremendous capacity to mobilize volunteer and financial
resources to benefit health, many have difficulty sustaining a
national infrastructure.
4.3 Respect
Respect is jointly recognized by national voluntary organizations
working in health and Health Canada as the basis for an evolving
and long - term relationship.
This includes respect for:
- past and present contributions of both the national voluntary
organizations working in health and Health Canada to the health
of the people of Canada and to the relationship
- the way in which each sector adds value to the other and can
accomplish more for the people of Canada by working together
- differences in values and beliefs
- equality in the partnership
- inclusiveness to ensure fair and balanced representation of
NVOWH* needs and constituent interests
- the value of participation of citizens, communities, other
non - profit organizations, levels of government, and the private
sector in health.
4.4 Transparency
Carrying out one's activities in a way that is easily understood
helps to build trust in the relationship. National voluntary organizations
working in health and Health Canada commit to achieving transparency
and trust through:
- open, honest and regular communication
- shared language and agreed upon working definitions
- willingness to share information and improve access to information
- shared understanding of respective mandates, roles and responsibilities
- easily understood policy, decision - making, operational and
administrative processes.
4.5 Accountability
Health Canada and national voluntary organizations working in
health recognize and take responsibility for the following accountabilities:
Accountability to the public - at - large:
- ensuring that public funds are being well spent
- for making a commitment to results.
Accountability to respective constituencies:
- accountability of Health Canada to the Minister, Cabinet, Parliament
and the people of Canada
- accountability of national voluntary organizations working
in health to their governance structures, their members and the
people they serve.
Mutual accountability:
- for maintaining the relationship
- implementing, monitoring and refining this framework.
5. Moving From Principles To Action
The common goal and shared principles in this framework provide
a basis for building a solid long - term relationship. The framework
needs to move from the goal and principles to concrete relationship
- building on four fronts:
- Health policy
- Joint Action Plan on Common Priorities (National Projects)
- Capacity of national voluntary organizations working in health
- A collective commitment
5.1 Health Policy
Health Canada and national voluntary organizations working in
health recognize that greater participation by NVOWH*
in health policy will create better policy, better programs and
better health for the people of Canada.
National voluntary organizations working in health and Health
Canada agree:
- to increase individual and collective participation by national
voluntary organizations working in health in policy development,
implementation and evaluation
- to enhance participation in each aspect of the policy development
process:
- identification and definition of policy issues
- refinement of policy priorities
- development of policy options
- contributing policy expertise and research
- strengthening links to the research community
- monitoring and reporting on the impact of policies
- policy evaluation and dissemination
- review of existing policies.
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