[governance] conflict of interests and multistakeholderism

[Avri Doria]

Hi,

I think the conflict of interest comes in when there isn't full stakeholder representation (including those individuals who define themselves as being outside all stakeholder groups).

i think that when any and all stakeholders - including the absolute individuals -  can be represented at the table then what is a conflict of interest elsewhere becomes a statement or declaration of interest.

Since the WHO does not seem to be committed to the multistakeholder model, it would appear to be conflict of interest.

a.


On 7 Jun 2010, at 11:56, parminder wrote:

> 
> A news like " Possible WHO-Industry Conflict of Interest on Pandemic Flu Under Investigation"
> 
> (see http://www.ip-watch.org/weblog/2010/06/07/possible-who-industry-conflict-on-pandemic-flu-under-investigation/ )
> 
>  looks to be an anachronism from an old bygone era for those in the brave new world of information society discourse. 
> 
> One wonders why should there be so much uproar about the simple fact of industry players with clear vested interest in policy outcomes being involved in giving policy advice.... Is that not what multistakeholderism is all about. 
> 
> "A report by the BMJ with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism found that WHO guidelines for handling a pandemic originally drawn up in 1999 were prepared in collaboration with the European Scientific Working Group (ESWI), funded by Roche and other drug manufacturers and staffed by scientists who had participated in creating marketing material for Roche and also in trials testing the efficacy of a Roche-owned influenza treatment."
> Apart from actual participation of interested actors in policy advice, why would anyone bother with anything as innocuous as who funds what.... After all, even the IGF is funded by private players. UN - GAID has actually made announcements which more or less ties advisory positions in GAID with contributing funds. There has been considerable talk of multistakeholder funding (read, private sector funding) of policy forums/ bodies, in this (civil society) list, in some recent official government statements etc... 
> 
> 
>  It is not important whether the allegations in the above WHO related news item are true or not. It is about the discourse (and normative frameworks) of public interest and public policies. See how WHO defends itself against the allegations. Its spokesperson asserted that 
> 
> "WHO has all of its expert advisers complete a declaration of interest and if necessary recuse themselves from discussions."
> 
> What a stupid idea really!! How would it work in a multistakeholder (MS) system, I wonder.  Would it not be so impolite to ask all the private sector players sitting on a policy advice body to declare their interests, and opt out if they have any.... So terribly old fashioned !! Isnt MSism actually about having interest in a policy decision; so what is all this ruckus about.
> 
> Apologies for the ironic tone, but i do think it is really quite ironic how the contemporary discourse in global health policy arena should be so much bothered with issues that in another arena - which, unfortunately, may be the pointer to the future - are considered simply meaningless, and perhaps absurd. 
> 
> Maybe, it is time, before it gets too late, to give some thought to what the new 'governance think' in IG, and perhaps all of information society arena, means to the long cherished ideals of public life - to democracy, equity, rights etc.....
> 
> Parminder 
> 
> 
> 
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