The Global Hygiene Symposium, organised by Chatham House and the Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI), was held in Singapore in December 2023. The symposium brought together researchers, policymakers and practitioners to explore the potential benefits of closer collaboration and integrated approaches between the hygiene fields and within wider development goals.

Objectives

To establish areas for multi-sectoral collaboration across hygiene fields

The Global Hygiene Symposium aims to develop areas for collaboration within and between different hygiene fields, including hand hygiene, zoonosis, food hygiene, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and environmental health.

Through mutual learning from public policymakers, researchers and programme practitioners, the Symposium will strengthen the understanding of the pathways to comprehensive hygiene strategies. By building a dialogue between researchers, practitioners and policymakers, the symposium will set out the common challenges and explore options for future collaboration to accelerate global progress on hygiene and health.

To strengthen the role, influence, and responsiveness of hygiene research on policy and practice

The Symposium will provide a forum for hygiene researchers and practitioners to develop a common understanding of the evidence needed to drive improvements in public health outcomes. By bringing together stakeholders from different sectors the Symposium will identify the knowledge gaps and the research needed to improve outcomes in public health and broader societal well-being. It will deepen the understanding of how research can better inform policy and practice.

For detailed insights, access the full Global Hygiene Symposium Report here.

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