WHO and the Evolving Environment of International Development

Amidst the substantial changes in the international development arena in recent years are calls for greater coherence and effectiveness of global assistance to developing countries. The Millennium Development Goals, with specific targets and indicators, have been developed as a result of the UN Millennium Declaration to guide the development efforts of governments, the UN, and civil society. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been seeking changes to increase its country-level impact, as part of the UN system’s reform. WHO aims to enhance the country focus of its policies and programs, as well as to improve coordination with other agencies and partners. The Capstone team has been asked to assess the implications of the new environment in international development for WHO, and to recommend organizational responses that transform objectives into effective country-level actions as part of a UN team effort.