In the global village we are all connected now - the distinction between developed and developing world are blurred. Both worlds are experiencing similar and increasing problems of truancy, crime, teenage pregnancy, childhood obesity, substance misuse, child abuse and mental illness and much else.

Equally, action in one part of the world has reaction in the other, when the developed world exploits child labour in the developing countries, it simultaneously creates an underclass in its own country, as businesses are transferred and jobs disappear. We are ignoring children’s health issues worldwide and creating a legacy which history will not forgive. We need to do better.

Who are we?
The Conference is a ‘virtual’ group of colleagues from various countries who have agreed to work together to promote children’s health. Our focus is on learning from each other with a view to promoting local action – we aim to learn globally and act locally.

A full database of members is available by contacting info@eastwestconference.co.uk. Some fuller profiles are also available on the website – see later.

How did we start?
After running an international conference Ventilation through the Ages, in Hull, England, 2001, it became apparent that we wished to interact, to learn and support each other across the globe to improve children’s health in its broadest sense. A second conference Eat Meets West: Bridge the Gap for Children in 2003 brought together a group of lecturers and delegates, again in Hull, to enable them to network and share experiences of promoting children’s health. Meanwhile Professor Rudo Mathiva carried the Ventilation conference to South Africa and ran Ventilation through the ages 2 in 2003. Ventilation through the ages 3 is planned for February 2005.

What is our philosophy?

We are conscious that the subject matter we are dealing with is vast and that there are many other organisations and individuals who are also tackling many of the issues. Our overriding concern is to Add Value through practical measures. Our guiding principles are:

• To be inclusive, to network and to share
• To move away from a "top down" approach to the giving out of knowledge.
• To Learn Globally and to Act Locally
• To use the tremendous range of knowledge, experience and skills within the virtual group to address children’s needs
• To cover a very full spectrum of health and social issues to advocate most effectively for children
• To use only ethical sponsorship or funding

What are we seeking to do?

• To learn from the work of people in developing countries who have come up with imaginative solutions, in resource limited conditions, and provided leadership in highly adverse situations.
• To publicise the work of members in order to increase the profile of children’s issues, co-operative ways of working and linkage with local, national and international groups
• To implement specific programmes of work, relevant to local needs. In Hull, these include health of refugee children and injury prevention, for example.
• To create opportunities for training exchanges between the East and the West.

How are we doing it?

The Conference website www.eastwestconference.co.uk is our primary mechanism for communication. In addition, we use e-mail for communicating in between.

We also hope to organise a conference every 2-3 years. Currently, we are hoping to run one in India in late 2006.

What have we done so far?

Publicity
- Article in The Hindu
- Article in RCPCH
- Article in Public Health Journal

References
- http://www.hinduonnet.com).
- RCPCH newsletter Spring 2004. East meets West – Bridge the Gap for Children. Page 5
- Klonin H, Madhok R. Bridge the Gap for Children. ph.com Mar 2004: 9 (Accessed via www.fph.org.uk)

Databases
We are keeping the following databases:

- Database of consultants in Hull with overseas connections for use during medical student electively
- Database of people interested in refugee matters
- Database of whole East West Group, including delegate list

Advocacy and Sharing/Learning

• Funding for website and East West discussion group has been identified and the website is being upgraded
• Hull, where the conference was held, has a historical link with Freetown and is making a link with Sierra Leone through Real Aid, a local charity
• Educational exchange for nursing and other health and social care professionals are in discussion stage

Medical/Equipment

• Through Real Aid, a local (Hull) charity to Sierra Leone
• Donations of medical equipment to Sierra Leone
• Donations of medical equipment to Mumbai

Textbooks/Journals/Educational material

• Journal and textbooks have been sent to Mumbai and South Kodagu
• APLS (Advanced Paediatric Life Support) CD, which has been developed by Child Advocacy International, and is down loadable free to developing countries
• Aim to set Children’s Library in Congo

Refugee issues

• Road map for refugees arriving locally in Hull has been developed
• Contacts made with GMC/BMA regarding refugee doctors
• Links formed with Leeds Asylum Seekers group.

Injury Minimisation and Prevention

• Video produced about potentially preventable injuries in children in India
• Aim to use Hull “IMPS” video to make a statement as to how the Hull IMPS methodology could be sentenced

How are we funding this conference?

Funding has been supported through the West Hull PCT and North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Work Force Development Confederation. We aim to develop a funding strategy for future work.

How can you contribute?

We are not an exclusive group of specialists, every one is welcome to help us "Bridge the gap". If you wish to be placed on our database then contact: Faith.Chinganga@hey.nhs.uk 

Hilary Klonin
Rajan Madhok

Joint Chairs of the Conference
Jan 2005