Editorial - News from Nairobi: Politics, technology and mainstreaming

Abstract

If one thing can be said about political engagement, it is that the Kenyan?s know how to do it very well. The World Health Organization?s 7th Global Conference on Health Promotion (7th GCHP) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 26 to 30 October 2009. The conference was opened by the President of the Republic of Kenya, closed by the Vice President and attended by both the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation and the Minister for Medical Services. Not only did these Ministers attend to make speeches, they also listened, participated and learned along with the rest of us. The engagement of senior political figures in Kenya with health promotion was a demonstration of the commitment of WHO, local conference organisers and the Kenyan government to make Africa?s first global conference on health promotion a success.