International Meeting “Mother Earth, One Health”: A commitment to life

2024-08-29

In a world where the health of humans, animals and the environment are intrinsically connected, the International Meeting “Mother Earth, One Health” emerged as a space for hope and collective action. Held in Medellin, Colombia, from July 24-26, this event brought together experts, communities and organizations from different Latin American countries to address one of the most urgent challenges of our time: antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

This meeting aimed to improve the understanding of antimicrobial resistance from a cross-sectoral perspective, while promoting the proper use of antibiotics and healthy eating practices for humans, animals and the planet.

Bacterial resistance: a global problem

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a problem that transcends borders and affects all living beings and ecosystems and threatens the progress of modern medicine. Factors such as environmental pollution and the lack of adequate public policies aggravate this crisis, underscoring the need for a comprehensive and multisectoral approach.

An integrated approach: Mother Earth, One Health

The “Mother Earth: One Health” approach recognizes the interconnectedness between the health of humans, animals and the environment. This approach proposed, within the framework of the Meeting, a deep reflection on how we address health problems, considering the links between different ecosystems and promoting holistic solutions involving communities and social organizations.

Art and play: mobilizers for health

Art, in its various manifestations, has the power to communicate messages in a profound and emotional way. During the meeting, artistic expressions were used to sensitize and inspire participants, promoting changes in attitude and behavior towards health care. The game, for its part, not only educates, but also motivates and facilitates the adoption of healthy habits at the community level and raises awareness for the care of ecosystems.

A multidisciplinary program

For three days, Medellin became the epicenter of innovation and collaboration. The meeting combined art, multi-sectoral dialogue, play and community joy as strategies to strengthen community health practices, allowing the exchange of knowledge and experiences for the understanding of the microbial world, healthy eating and its importance to prevent infections and the care of Mother Earth.

The event included a series of activities focused on three main axes:

First day: the concept Mother Earth, One Health, the microbial world from an ecological approach, the problem of AMR, the use of antimicrobials, school health education and community empowerment were addressed.

The activities, which included a ritual, a round table, exhibitions and workshops, were held at the Faculties of Pharmaceutical and Food Sciences and the Faculty of Public Health of the University of Antioquia.

Second day: focused on the healthy food cycle and its crucial importance in preventing infections and reducing the use of antimicrobials. The cycle began in the garden, followed by traditional Colombian food and ended with the transformation of organic waste into humus for the soil, all threaded through the role of microorganisms and from a community approach.

The activities, which included a ritual, artistic presentations, exhibitions, dialogues, children’s workshops and visits, took place in the Parque Biblioteca Belén, a municipal cultural center in a popular commune (neighborhood) of Medellín.

Third day: the heart of this day was art and play for health care, the human microbiome, water, infection prevention and the proper use of antimicrobials. This day took place at the Canchimalos Cultural Center, an organization that works hand in hand with the community in education and art.

Dialogue and collaboration

The meeting promoted spaces for dialogue, collaboration and exchange. Panels and presentations highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to address bacterial resistance, involving all sectors of society.

Diversity and inter-sectoriality were present in this event. From preschool children to retirees who contribute with their volunteer work in community gardens, university teachers and young cultural promoters. All of them are part of communities with valuable initiatives in food, recovery of the social fabric, artistic promotion, recreational education and human and environmental health.

Inspiration for the future

The International Meeting “Mother Earth, One Health” not only offered practical solutions and knowledge, but also inspired participants to assume an active commitment to health protection and care.

This event succeeded in intertwining antimicrobial resistance and the use of antimicrobials with issues that resonate deeply in communities and social organizations and was an opportunity to highlight the work of communities and organizations that have been promoting environmental health, food, art and play.

It has also served to promote the dialogue of knowledge between academia and social organizations, as well as to strengthen relationships and alliances with new actors to address the problem of AMR from holistic approaches, based on social participation and collaboration, to find effective solutions.

The meeting was organized by Corporación Canchimalos, Universidad Popular de los Pueblos, Extinction Rebellion – Medellín, Radio Chakaruna, Cuidar y Sanar, Centro Niño a Niño, Universidad de Antioquia and ReAct Latin America, within the framework of the Empowered Communities against AMR initiative, promoted by the alliance between the South Centre, ReAct Latin America and the Pan American Health Organization’s AMR Task Force.