"To bolster our pandemic resilience, Canada must adopt an ecosystem-based strategy that integrates public health efforts, resource sharing, and innovation, drawing lessons from preparedness and responses from the Asia/Indo-Pacific and regional organizations."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
"To bolster our pandemic resilience, Canada must adopt an ecosystem-based strategy that integrates public health efforts, resource sharing, and innovation, drawing lessons from preparedness and responses from the Asia/Indo-Pacific and regional organizations."
Dr. Scott Harrison
Connecting Histories, Shaping Futures
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged governments and international organizations worldwide, with many criticizing the failure of global institutions like the WHO and the UN when multilateralism was most needed. However, international cooperation has persisted at other levels, particularly in the Asia/Indo-Pacific region where organizations of various types demonstrated proactive and diverse pandemic responses that often outperformed their global counterparts. These regional bodies quickly recognized the coronavirus threat and redirected their programs, research, and funding to address pandemic-related challenges across health, economics, trade, investment, political cooperation, and regional integration. This report examines how Canada’s future health crisis preparedness and responses could benefit from adopting an ecosystem-based strategy, emphasizing collaboration with Asia/Indo-Pacific nations and international organizations.
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged governments and international organizations worldwide, with many criticizing the failure of global institutions like the WHO and the UN when multilateralism was most needed. However, international cooperation has persisted at other levels, particularly in the Asia/Indo-Pacific region where organizations of various types demonstrated proactive and diverse pandemic responses that often outperformed their global counterparts. These regional bodies quickly recognized the coronavirus threat and redirected their programs, research, and funding to address pandemic-related challenges across health, economics, trade, investment, political cooperation, and regional integration. This report examines how Canada’s future health crisis preparedness and responses could benefit from adopting an ecosystem-based strategy, emphasizing collaboration with Asia/Indo-Pacific nations and international organizations.
Key Insights
The report presents a compelling opportunity for Canada to adopt an ecosystem-based strategy to enhance pandemic preparedness and response. By studying successful measures from the Asia/Indo-Pacific region during COVID-19, it emphasizes the importance of stronger collaborations with regional and international organizations. Such an approach will foster public health integration, resource sharing, and innovation, leading to a more resilient response system for future health crises. Additionally, the report highlights the need for sustained investment in public health infrastructure and the retention of institutional knowledge. Countries in the Asia/Indo-Pacific have effectively maintained awareness and preparedness through regular drills and learning from past outbreaks, which Canada should emulate. Ongoing funding for public health initiatives and incorporating lessons learned into current policies are essential for boosting resilience against future pandemics.
Diverse organizations in the Asia Pacific effectively complemented each other during pandemic responses. This illustrates the value of an "ecosystem approach," where organizations with different mandates collaborate efficiently. While Canada is recognized for its global multilateralism, engagement with Asia/Indo-Pacific organizations has been limited. The report advocates for all levels of government in Canada to adopt this ecosystem approach in addressing current and future health challenges. Specifically, there is a need to recognize the interconnectedness of health, trade, and economic resilience while fostering communication and cooperation in international health programming. This strategy will pave the way for stronger leadership and a healthier future through collaborative initiatives.
Key Insights
The report presents a compelling opportunity for Canada to adopt an ecosystem-based strategy to enhance pandemic preparedness and response. By studying successful measures from the Asia/Indo-Pacific region during COVID-19, it emphasizes the importance of stronger collaborations with regional and international organizations. Such an approach will foster public health integration, resource sharing, and innovation, leading to a more resilient response system for future health crises. Additionally, the report highlights the need for sustained investment in public health infrastructure and the retention of institutional knowledge. Countries in the Asia/Indo-Pacific have effectively maintained awareness and preparedness through regular drills and learning from past outbreaks, which Canada should emulate. Ongoing funding for public health initiatives and incorporating lessons learned into current policies are essential for boosting resilience against future pandemics.
Diverse organizations in the Asia Pacific effectively complemented each other during pandemic responses. This illustrates the value of an "ecosystem approach," where organizations with different mandates collaborate efficiently. While Canada is recognized for its global multilateralism, engagement with Asia/Indo-Pacific organizations has been limited. The report advocates for all levels of government in Canada to adopt this ecosystem approach in addressing current and future health challenges. Specifically, there is a need to recognize the interconnectedness of health, trade, and economic resilience while fostering communication and cooperation in international health programming. This strategy will pave the way for stronger leadership and a healthier future through collaborative initiatives.
View Article
This was the first report in the Translating Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Experiences for Canada series made possible through the International Health Grants Program from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Harrison, Scott M., Quinton Huang, Natasha Fox, and Le (Amy) Zhou. “Toward an Ecosystem Approach: COVID-19, Canada-Asia Pacific Relations, and International Organizations.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. 2022.
View Article
This was the first report in the Translating Asia-Pacific COVID-19 Experiences for Canada series made possible through the International Health Grants Program from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Harrison, Scott M., Quinton Huang, Natasha Fox, and Le (Amy) Zhou. “Toward an Ecosystem Approach: COVID-19, Canada-Asia Pacific Relations, and International Organizations.” Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. 2022.
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Asia/Indo-Pacific
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Exploring new horizons in trade, diplomacy, media and innovation
Indigenous Internationalism
Indigenous Reconciliation in Canada, Taiwan, and Japan
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