Institutional links
Developing an Animal Health Science Agenda
for the National Animal Health Strategy (NAHS)
Backgrounder
February 15th, 2008
Prepared by TDV Global Inc.
| Table of Contents | 2. Commonalities for Animal Health Science> |
1.0 Background
1.1 Strategic Foresight for an Animal Health Science Agenda
In the spring of 2006, a Strategic Foresight1 process was initiated with active participation from the animal health science community. The process was focussed on animal health science needs twenty years into the future, in 2026. The aim was for an Agenda2 for animal health science that would allow partners to plan proactively, thus enabling effective preparation for a range of potential futures. The process resulted in the development of five scenarios of the future circa 2026 that highlight key uncertainties facing strategic decision makers.
Building off of the Strategic Foresight initiative, a Working Group on Future Animal Health Science (Working Group membership at Annex B) was established in summer 2007 to inform the development of the National Animal Health Strategy (NAHS), due to be completed in summer 2008, and contribute to the implementation of the NAHS through the development of a Animal Health Science Agenda.
In late 2007, the WG undertook a Strategic Foresight exercise and employed the five scenarios to develop a proposed strategic direction for Animal Health Science, including a Vision and Goals. The completion of an Animal Health Science Agenda, including Objectives and step-wise Action Plans over the next years will involve networks of participants from regional science communities in Canada. The Agenda is expected to be completed by the end of 2008, with implementation beginning in 2009.
1.2 Scope
Animal health science aims to increase knowledge of animal health through study and research as well as the development and delivery of applications of that knowledge to improve animal health, cure and protect against diseases and increase overall understanding of animal function.
For purposes of the WG deliberations, the scope of animal health science was considered to include pure sciences as well as the economic, political and social elements involved. This work is completed across Canada by veterinarians, scientists, chemists, biologists, support staff and laboratory technicians working in government, academia, industry and NGOs. As illustrated in the diagram above, animal health science encompasses the following activities:
- Research: includes the pure sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc. and including human medicine) to analyze risk pathways to identify and address underlying causes as well as its application to improve prevention, health monitoring, treatments, medical devices and cures;
- Surveillance: all activities surrounding the ongoing systematic collection, collation, analysis and interpretation of data and dissemination of information;
- Diagnostics: development and use of clinical, laboratory and field tests that detect illness in animals;
- Risk Analysis: includes determining the risks involved, establishing measures to mitigate said risks, and ensuring that the necessary stakeholders are included in the process;
- Emergency Preparedness and Response: involves the planning and training for an event to create capacity to respond efficiently and effectively to contain the outbreak as well as the role of knowledge transfer and education to inform the public and decision makers.
All together, these components were considered by the WG to provide a comprehensive overview of animal health science.
1. (Return)Strategic foresight has been described as “The strategic thinking that precedes strategic planning and action”. It is conducted using processes that help participants anticipate the future and think clearly of what is important and then integrate that thinking in a practical way into strategy development and policy and decision making.
2. (Return)Animal Health Science Agenda will be comprised of strategic direction, comprising Vision, Goals, Objectives and Action Plans, that will be built around Science Capabilities with focus on roles of regional partners.
These documents are works in progress. The substantive content is for discussion purposes and reflects initial perspectives of officials in the National Animal Health Strategy. They will evolve and improve with feedback from readers. These documents do not represent the position of the Government of Canada.