BACKGROUND :

The goal of MESH is to galvanize multisectoral action through the creation and application of overarching Guiding Principles for collaboration catalyzing action for advancing Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 - Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. The Guiding Principles -- highlighted herewith - are elucidated in a Harvard Working Paper by a research team at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government of the Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Harvard Senior Fellow Scott Ratzan, will present the Guiding Principles and launch of the publication at PMAC 2019. 1. MISSION: Agree on shared mission and goals in alignment with targets identified in health related SDG targets 2. INTERESTS: Ensure alignment of interests related to the SDG target(s) including identification and management of actual or potential conflicts of interests 3. LEGITIMACY: Establish credibility and strengthen coordination with key actors 4.RESOURCES: Clarify contributions with financial, technical and in-kind support with each parties’ contribution 5.GOVERNANCE: Commit to ethical communication with transparent, accountable, and just systems 6.MEASUREMENT and EVALUATION: Create an evaluation plan with adequate support and independence to report progress on key metrics internally and externally 7.SUSTAINABILITY: Advance long-term stewardship for sustainable social change through partnership structure and terms of collaboration The entire Harvard Working Paper may be downloaded at https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/mrcbg/publications/awp The peer-reviewed Journal of Health Communication: International Perspectives welcomes article submissions on the design, delivery, implementation, measurement and evaluation of health initiatives with community engagement, social and behavior change communication.