WHO Collaborating Centres : Rules, policies and responsibilities

1. WHO Collaborating Centres: Rules, policies and responsibilities Dr Olla Shideed WHO Collaborating Centres Coordination Meeting 10-11 June 2014, Tehran, I.R. of Iran

2. "In everything we do, WHO relies on the expertise of hundreds of formal WHO Collaborating Centres, in your countries, and thousands of the best brains in science, medicine, and public health, in your countries. They give us their time freely and it is my strong impression that they do so with pride." Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General, in her address to the Sixty-fourth World Health Assembly, 16 May 2011

3. An early model of collaboration • 1949 Second World Health Assembly: "research in the field of health is best advanced by assisting, coordinating and making use of the activities of existing institutions" • Today, over 700 collaborating centres in over 80 countries worldwide

4. WHO CCs – Distribution by Region EURO 270 AMRO 177 EMRO 51 SEARO 88 AFRO 20 WPRO 179 Total number of WHO CCs: 785 (as of 7 June 2014)

5. What is a WHO CC? • “An institution designated by the Director-General to form part of an international collaborative network carrying out activities in support of the Organization’s programmeat all levels”1,2 • The designation as WHO collaborating centre is always the formalization of an existing, successful collaboration between WHO and an external institution. 1 Resolution EB69.R21 2 Resolution EB105.R7

6. Strategic rationale • Institutions are designated as WHO collaborating centres (WHO CCs) to help WHO implement its mandated work. • The designation as a WHO CC: • Recognizes a history of collaboration with WHO; • Provides a formal framework for future joint activities; and • Is a time-limited agreement of collaboration • The designation as a WHO CC is not: • a certification of excellence, nor • an accreditation, nor • an award, nor • a lifelong agreement.

7. Strategic rationale • Institutions are designated as WHO collaborating centres (WHO CCs) to help WHO implement its mandated work. • The contribution of a WHO CC to WHO tasks is agreed in the form of Terms of Reference and a detailed workplan. • nformal collaboration can be equally successful.

8. Functional scope • WHO CC activities are designed based on WHO strategic and operational plans. • The functional scope of these activities is broad but there are limitations. • Standard activities of an institution are not included in the WHO CC workplan, and are not covered by the designation.

9. Typical functions include… • collection, collation and dissemination of information; • standardization of terminology and nomenclature, of technology, of diagnostic, therapeutic and prophylactic substances, and of methods and procedures; • development of evidence-based technical guidance tools and resource materials on various topics; • development and application of appropriate technology; • provision of reference substances and other services;

10. Typical functions include (cont.)… • participation in collaborative research developed under WHO's leadership, including the planning, conducting, monitoring and evaluation of research; evaluation of WHO interventions in countries; and promotion of the application of the results of research; • training, including research training; • coordination of activities carried out by several institutions on a given subject; • capacity-building work at country level; • provision of monitoring, preparedness and response services to deal with disease outbreaks and public health emergencies.

11. Functional scope • The functional scope is broad but there are certain limitations as per WHO rules and regulations, for example regarding • Clinical trials undertaken on own accord • Advice to Member States (policy & legislative matters) • Participation in WHO advisory groups • Establishment of bodies or entities • Issuance of National Guidelines • Qualifying diploma's such as masters degrees

12. Designation as WHO CC • Institutions are proposed for designation by a WHO department or programme and need to fulfil a set of criteria. • The designation is a time-limited agreement with agreed deliverables. It automatically ends on the expiry date ("automatic discontinuation"). Start Expiry 10 June 2014 10 June 2018 Period of designation

13. Designation as WHO CC • Designation proposals will be initiated by a WHO staff member (WHO headquarters or regional offices) • Spontaneous applications are not accepted • WHO Manual XV.5.2.290 “spontaneous applications for designations coming from outside the WHO Secretariat are not encouraged” • Submission of a proposal for designation does not imply that the designation will be approved: • Submission of the form • Review by WHO relevant staff/departments • Government consultation • Regional Director followed by Director General approval

14. Key eligibility criteria • High scientific and technical standing nationally and internationally; • Prominent place in the country's health, scientific or educational structures; • High quality of leadership with sufficient number of qualified staff; • Stability in terms of personnel, activity and funding; • Strong working relationship with other institutions at national, regional and global level; • Clear ability, capacity and readiness to contribute to WHO programme activities; • Technical and geographical relevance of the institution and its activities to WHO's programme priorities; • At least two (but in most cases many more) years of previous collaboration with WHO in carrying out jointly planned activities.

15. Responsibilities of WHO CC • During the period of designation, each designated institution is expected to • implement the agreed WHO CC workplan in time and to the highest possible standards of quality, bringing to the attention of the WHO responsible officer any issue that may affect implementation of the workplan; • follow WHO CC regulations and policies, as expressed in the Terms and conditions for WHO collaborating centres; • submit annual report forms; • Discuss any possibility of a redesignation with the WHO responsible officer at least 6 months before the end of the current designation.

16. Common misconceptions • The designation as a WHO CC is not: • a certification of excellence, nor • an accreditation, nor • a prize or award, nor • a lifelong agreement. • There are no "regional" or "global" WHO CCs. • WHO CCs are not preferred providers of services.

17. Timeframe • The first designation is a time-limited agreement for 4 years. It automatically ends on the expiry date ("automatic discontinuation"). • A designation can be renewed ("redesignation") for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, if certain conditions are fulfilled.

18. Funding • Normally, institutions are expected to provide or raise the funds for the activities of the WHO CC themselves. • Funding for the activities of a WHO CC is subject to WHO CC policy on interaction of WHO CCs with industry and private sector (see Terms and conditions). • The goal of this policy is to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest.

19. Interaction with companies • Interactions with the commercial private sector must avoid any conflict of interest, or even the perception of a conflict of interest. • WHO CC and their activities should not be funded or otherwise supported by • companies; • business or trade associations*; • foundations not at arms' length from their commercial sponsors*. * Referred to as “companies” in this presentation. • For full details, refer to the Terms and conditions

20. Intellectual property rights For CC deliverables or outputs subject to intellectual property rights, there are two possible scenarios: • Product of the WHO CC, and therefore WHO CC owns IP and gives licence to WHO (see Terms and conditions, 3.1.1 and 3.2.1) • WHO product, and therefore WHO owns IP and gives WHO CC a licence (see Terms and conditions, 3.1.2 and 3.2.2) • If no mention is made in the (re)designation form, 3.1.1 and 3.2.1 apply.

21. Example: Publications • Terms & conditions 3.1.1 (Product of the WHO CC): • "The institution will not publish in the name of WHO, nor use its title as a WHO CC and/or the WHO emblem in the product (book, article in a journal, etc), unless this has been specifically agreed with WHO, in which case the work product is subject to a special WHO's publication clearance procedures."

22. Use of WHO name, emblem and flag • Requires Director-General's authorization in advance each time it is used. Authorization can only be given: • if the use is in line with certain visual identity guidelines; • in relation to an activity included in the agreed work plan; • during the period of designation. • Authorization will not be given for business or visiting cards, certificates of attendance for training • To request authorization, refer to the Terms and conditions for details and contact your responsible officer with a draft and explanation of the proposed use.

23. Visual identity guidelines

24. Example: Conference presentation Authorization for use of the WHO name and emblem in information and communication products of the institution (e.g. presentations, brochures, booklets) can only be obtained if: • The product is part of the agreed workplan of the WHO CC. • The information it contains is of the highest technical standing and compatible with WHO policies. • The following disclaimer is used: "This [insert name of brochure or booklet] is published by [insert name of institution], which is a WHO Collaborating Centre; it is not a publication of the World Health Organization. The [insert name of institution or authors] are responsible for the views expressed in this [insert type of publication], and the views do not necessarily represent the decisions or policies of the World Health Organization."

25. Example: Web page

26. About redesignation • Designation as WHO CC can be renewed "redesignation" for 1, 2, 3 or 4 years before expiry. • The redesignation does not happen automatically. Redesignationprocedure must be completed and the redesignation approved before the current designation ends, or the WHO CC expires (started 6-9 months prior) • WHO decides whether it will propose an institution for redesignation, based on: • past performance; • future needs; and • relevance of the institution to WHO workplans.

27. Resources WHO web site: • Guide for WHO CCs • Frequently Asked Questions • Terms and Conditions • Links to the global database and portal http://www.who.int/collaboratingcentres/en/ For eCC technological problems, email eCC_techsupport@who.int

28. Acknowledgements • Mr Matias Tuler and his team at WHO headquarters • EMRO WHO CCs team • WHO technical departments and staff • WHO CCs