Our vision

Be-cause health members strive for the right to health and healthcare for all by providing equitable access to high quality, responsive health services for all, particularly the most vulnerable people, supported by strong, resilient, and sustainable health systems.

Our mission

Be-cause health is a pluralistic open platform and network that facilitates the exchange and growth of knowledge and expertise in the field of global health. Be-cause health advocates for a more effective Belgian contribution to global health policies, for an international policy debate based on the right to health and healthcare for all, and for the acceptance of reality as a complex, adaptive system influenced by multiple determinants. The network stimulates mutual trust, understanding and cooperation between stakeholders who are involved in global health and actively engaged in Belgian development cooperation.

Our values & principles

Based on a rights-based approach to health and healthcare, Be-cause health values a constructive dialogue in an open and learning stimulating mindset, guided by creativity, innovation, equity, justice, inclusivity, autonomy, solidarity, and ownership.
Members, whether individuals or organisations, non- or for-profit, are not to use the Be-cause health network to pursue commercial self-serving interests.

Our structure

As an open and pluralistic network, Be-cause health is open to both organisations and individuals involved in global health.

Its dynamics are supported by a light and flexible structure and mode of functioning adaptive to opportunities and continuous changes in the complex, pluralistic and multi-actor context of global health, as well as to the expectations and commitment of its members. The dynamic of the platform depends on its members’ sense of initiative, to whom the necessary autonomy is given. Be-cause health is an open platform looking actively for synergy and collaboration with other networks at Belgian and international level, also beyond the health sector.

Declaration on Health Care for All

Be-cause health members share an approach that recognizes health as a right for all and the importance of health systems strengthening. This common vision is expressed in the 2001 Healthcare for All declaration. This declaration came about during the Healthcare for All conference (October 2001), organised by the Belgian Development Cooperation and the Institute of Tropical Medicine following the Belgian chairmanship of the European Union. The writing of this declaration was prepared and ratified by over 20 Public Health ministers and their representatives from the South. Even though the context is evolving fast, the basics of this declaration remain topical.

Declaration on “Health Care for All”