A global network for a sustainable future
Our interdisciplinary network identifies, educates and promotes local and multilateral solutions
to improve public and environmental health for current and future generations.
The ICSW addresses 3 strategic areas to promote Sustainable Well-being:
Sustainable Urban Development Human Health Agro-Food Systems
Learn more about the impact we strive for and join us in stewarding this process.
Join us for an exciting journey towards a sustainable future!
Aligned with ICSW, a Master's program in Sustainability & Health starts May 31, 2024.
Classes are virtual. Hosted at the University of Turin, School of Medicine, Italy.
More info: www.sustainabilityinhealth.unito.it
The United Nations General Assembly declared a healthy, sustainable environment as a human right.
The work of ICSW is aligned with this declaration.
Our work at ICSW is also closely tied to
Sustainable Development Goal #3
The ICSW is proud to be a project of the Center for Transformative Action
The MOSAIC of SUSTAINABLE WELL-BEING
An ICSW Video Series
The ICSW produces educational videos where we interview experts and visionaries
in the fields related to sustainable well-being.
The ClimateMusic Project
with Fran Schulberg, Executive Producer
A Healthy Diet for You and the Planet
with Dr. Walter Willett, Harvard University
COMING SOON!
Stay tuned for an exciting interview with Dr. Merrill Singer, medical anthropologist who originally described Syndemics
The Syndemic Framework for Public Health
with Dr. Merrill Singer, medical anthropologist,
The University of Connecticut
THE LATEST IN SUSTAINABLE WELL-BEING
News & Publications aligned with ICSW
The ICSW is focused on deepening knowledge about Syndemics, which includes the evaluation of synergistic elements that can affect the health of people within the framework of social inequalities.
What is a syndemic?
The notion of a syndemic was first conceived by Merrill Singer, a medical anthropologist, in the 1990s. A syndemic is not merely a comorbidity, but is characterised by biological and social interactions between conditions and states, interactions that increase a person's susceptibility to harm or worsen their health outcomes.
Who are we?
The International Center for Sustainable Well-being (ICSW) is a group of experts and practitioners in the fields of urban policy, medicine, statistics and agro-ecology. We strive to provide the connective tissue for experts in their respective fields, as well as improved multidisciplinary knowledge to guide positive system change focused on sustainable well-being through urbanization, human health and agriculture.
ICSW is driven by a single goal; to do our part in making the world a healthier place for all. Our decision-making process is informed by comprehensive empirical studies and engaging with experts in the fields of urban policy, medicine and agriculture. We strive to build productive relationships and make a positive impact in the global community.
Our Mission
Well-being for our planet is at the forefront of what we’re working towards. Our programs and activities are designed to be a catalyst that helps local and international communities be healthier and more sustainable for today and the future.
ICSW aims to:
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Identify, lift up and empower efforts to help people lead healthier lives and overall well-being;
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Connect and be lead facilitators in connectingkey groups and sectors;
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Shift the health paradigm (seeing health as more than just healthcare);
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Educate and connect youth, as well as experts in their respective fields, and provide improved multidisciplinary knowledge to help guide positive system change.
The ICSW is fiscally sponsored by the Center for Transformative Action
Activities
A Global Network for a Sustainble Future
The ICSW is embarking on two specific activities to expand interdisciplinary knowledge in the 3 strategic areas and expand our network to advance sustainable well-being for public and environmental health!
Coming soon! Sustainable Well-being educational material: We are developing an inspiring educational toolbox to be freely distributed to students and their educators. Young people of today will be the change makers of tomorrow. Therefore, materials targeting areas of sustainable well-being is crucial to increase their awareness and inspire action to create a healthy planet for generations to come.
Sustainable Urban Development
With more people living in urban areas than ever before, and urban population expected to continually rise, cities have the potential — and responsibility — to be healthier places for humans and the natural surroundings. The challenge is for cities to harmoniously grow with the planet for generations to come. Cities occupy 2% of earth’s total land but account for 54% of the world’s population. A UN report projects that by 2030, the urban population of developing countries will double, and 90% of that increase is expected to be concentrated in Asia and Africa.
Human Health
Environmental health (EH) addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. To give a proportion of the problem, one should bear in mind that outdoor air pollution alone caused 3.2 million premature deaths worldwide in 2015 (Lelieveld. Nature. 2015;). EH is targeted towards preventing diseases and creating health-supportive environments.
Agro-Food Systems
When it comes to well-being and health, what we consume in terms of food has high impact on our long-term health and the environment. The development of sustainable agriculture and agro-food networks -- that is to ensure access to food in sufficient quantity and quality, as well as reduce the ecological impact through a redesign of the agricultural sectors -- is a challenge for the coming decades. Various stakeholders in the agriculture and food sectors aim to innovate strategies and healthy, sustainable interventions that find new centrality in policies of socio-economic development and regional planning.
“At its core, the issue of a clean environment is a matter of public health.”
Gina McCarthy, Former Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Support the ICSW
The ICSW has been established to be a platform for stewardship for positive change in the world that will continue to have a domino effect for years to come. We want to go beyond the borders of just one nation and think, act and join together globally to create participatory solutions. In other words, as the connective tissue of an international network, we want to provide the platform for young people and professionals to understand the interconnectedness of our impact on earth, and the need to protect it.
We are deeply grateful for any support you can provide.
Thank you for considering to help further sustainable well-being for public and environmental health!
Your tax deductible donation is essential to our programming efforts and will help us offer ongoing support.
BY CREDIT CARD:
By clicking , GiveGab offers a secure, fast and easy way to make a donation.
BY CHECK:
The ICSW is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action (CTA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. CTA is legally and financially responsible for all of our program activities. Please make all checks payable to Center for Transformative Action/ ICSW
Mail to:
Center for Transformative Action/ ICSW
119 Anabel Taylor Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
IN-KIND DONATIONS:
In-Kind donations include goods and services like catering for our events and seminars, space for our events, or office supplies. To make an In-Kind donation please contact us:
By email: icsw.earthwellbeing@gmail.com
Contact the ICSW
Project Director: Winston Gilcrease icsw.earthwellbeing@gmail.com
