Amid growing mistrust in science and widespread health misinformation, the WHO Civil Society Commission and the WHO Chief Scientist’s Office held an information session for non-State actors on 7 October 2026. Around 100 participants explored how civil society can strengthen trust, support the use of evidence and bring science closer to communities ahead of the official launch of Together for Science and Health on 10 November. The movement builds on the 2026 World Health Day theme, “Together for health. Stand with science.”
A movement built with communities
Dr Sylvie Briand, WHO Chief Scientist, introduced Together for Science and Health, a WHO-initiated global movement that aims to shape the science that society needs and strengthen the use of evidence in policy and decision-making. Guided by five core values: respect, integrity, scientific rigour, ethical responsibility and social participation, the movement focuses on three areas:
WHO serves as a catalyst and contributor, while participating organizations help to shape and sustain the movement.
Building trust through community engagement
Dr Viviana Martínez-Bianchi, President of the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA), described how family physicians connect evidence with everyday decisions. She said trust grows through sustained relationships, listening and communication grounded in people’s circumstances, and that community experience should inform research and guidance.
“Our communities cannot be just audiences for science – they need to be partners,” she said.
