THE EVOLUTION OF ReAct

In May 2004, a number of individuals from all continents and from a diverse range of backgrounds gathered at the Dag Hammarskjöld Centre in Uppsala, Sweden. Their common denominator was the frustration over the fact that endless discussions on how to deal with antibiotics losing their effect had not been translated into deeds. ReAct, Action on Antibiotic Resistance, was created as a result of this frustration.

The meeting was organized by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, The Division of International health (IHCAR), Karolinska Institutet and Strama (The Swedish Strategic Programme Against Antibiotic Resistance).

The aim was - and still is - to support the linkage of networks, individuals and institutions and to provide a platform for meeting, sharing contacts and exchanging experiences as well as expert advice and evidence-based advocacy materials.

A second meeting followed in 2005. ReAct has since evolved to one of the leading actors in the field, working to catalyze and initiate action on antibiotic resistance by engaging with key stakeholders such as policy makers, civil society and non-governmental organizations, academia and research institutions as well as international organizations.

With its unique composition of competencies and its far-reaching network, ReAct can act efficiently in as diverse capacities as one of WHO’s first-call consultants as well as in supporting grass root health movements, i.e. equally powerful when working top-down as bottom-up.

ReAct is presently organised as a project within Uppsala University, Sweden, and currently receives support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).