Conception of “Peace through Health” in the “Middle East” Region: Report of the International Congress on Health for Peace, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

The discussions held by the congress panels can be boiled down to the following convictions. Health professionals, especially those who are working in the Middle East region, have to promote peace as part of their professional responsibility. Moving towards this objective can be realized through a number of measures. It is both necessary and feasible to increase research to identify the causes and consequences of war and violence; and to appropriately translate the findings to politicians, health professionals and masses of people. These can be achieved by means of boosting cooperation between international organizations and of bolstering the position of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on a global scale. Showing respect to other societies and civilizations, encouraging cultural interactions between societies, and elevating public intellectuality and general demand for reduction of violence can be effective in decreasing the latter and the effects thereof. Of the engagements that health professionals must seriously take on is employing health diplomacy and curbing the accumulation of unrestricted power and unilateralism through enforcing international treaties. Finally, it is essential to make health systems more resilient to complex emergencies caused by wars so that they can survive such conditions.

Keywords: Armed Conflicts, Health, Iran, Middle East, Peace