1. Introduction

The European Men’s Health Forum is not for profit organisation that aims to promote the health and well-being of boys and men in Europe. The Forum believes that its goals can be more effectively achieved if it works collaboratively and in partnership with a wide range of other organisations in the public, voluntary and private sectors. The Forum has relied – and still depends – on its partnerships with commercial organisations for a significant proportion of its core and project costs. It is essential, therefore, that the Forum establishes a strict, clear and transparent policy for collaboration and partnership. Such a policy will benefit both the Forum and other organisations by ensuring that the Forum remains independent and autonomous and that there can be no actual or perceived improper influence on its work.

This policy also aims to enable the Forum’s staff to operate without the need for constant reference to the Board members. Board members of these and staff are expected to adhere to this policy.

This policy has been drawn up with reference to Long-Term Medical Conditions Alliance’s policy document Working With the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Charity Commission’s report Charities and Commercial Partners (UK). It has been approved by the EMHF Board of Directors.

2. EMHF’s values

The Forum is committed to:

• Promoting the health and well-being of boys and men in Europe.
  
  
• Tackling health inequalities related to gender, social class, geography, ethnicity, sexual preference, disability and age.
  
  
• Promoting a positive and respectful view of boys and men (while acknowledging that they can behave in ways that are anti-social or oppressive).
  
  
• Supporting the improvement of girls’ and women’s health. The Forum does not believe that male health should be improved by re-allocating resources from female health.
  
  
• Becoming an equal opportunities organisation in terms of both its operations as an employer and all its external activities.
  
  
• Collaborating wherever appropriate with other organisations and individuals who broadly share its goals and values.
  
  
• Acting transparently and honestly at all times.
  
  
• Preserving its autonomy and independence.
  
  
• Complying at all times with the laws relevant to the status of its legal registration in Belgium as well as any other relevant statutory obligations.

3. Working with other organisations

The Forum:

• Believes it is vitally important to maintain and develop co-operative relationships with other organisations, including those that develop, manufacture and market medicines and other treatments.
  
  
• Recognises that other organisations have different aims and objectives – often including the need to be profitable – and will have their own particular marketing agendas. However, the Forum will not enter into a partnership or relationship with any other organisation that would contradict or compromise one or more of the values listed in section 2 above.
  
  
• Is committed to openness and transparency in all its dealings with other organisations (subject to any necessary legal or other constraints such as relating to commercial confidentiality). The Forum’s Annual Report will state which organisations have supported the Forum financially or otherwise and by how much.
  
  
• Will enter into partnerships and collaborations only if it is recognised as an equal partner, regardless of the size of the other organisation.
  
  
• Will enter into partnerships and collaborations with other organisations only it is clear the outcome will be mutually beneficial.
  
  
• Will consider partnerships and collaborations that result in core or project funding or help-in-kind. Although the Forum’s preference is for long-term relationships with other organisations, it will nevertheless consider short-term commitments positively. The Forum welcomes relationships that support any area of the Forum’s activities.
  
  
• Is entitled – and usually prefers – to seek partnership with more than one organisation. No company can expect to acquire an exclusive relationship with the Forum. The Forum will not enter into relationships that are designed to give one organisation a competitive advantage over another.
  
  
• Will accept funding (or other forms of support) only when a detailed written agreement on the specific support offered has been accepted and signed by both parties. This agreement will include details of agreed contact people on both sides, the outcomes/outputs expected, how the agreement will be monitored and enforced and when and how progress reports will be provided to partners.
  
  
• Will not work with, or accept donations from, organisations whose activities, policies, aims or objectives contradict or are inconsistent with its own. The tobacco industry is the most obvious example.
  
  
• Will not enter into relationships that might produce adverse publicity for the Forum.
  
  
• Will not support any specific product or treatment unless the evidence that it can contribute to improved male health is unequivocal. No partner organisation should infer that acknowledgement of its support by the Forum represents endorsement of its policies, actions or products.
  
  
• Any promotional use of the Forum’s name (or logo) by any other organisation must have prior explicit and written consent from the Forum’s Director. Press releases which refer to the Forum cannot be issued without its prior approval.
  
  
• Reserves the right to withdraw from any partnership or collaboration if it is not being implemented according to the agreement or develops in a way that contradicts the Forum’s policies and principles.
  
  
• Will invite all main commercial partners and sponsors to join its Sponsors Committee. This advisory group exists to discuss:
  - Key current and future issues in men’s health
  - The work of the Forum
  - Areas of possible collaboration between the Forum and its partners
  - The funding needs of the Forum
  - Any other areas of mutual benefit and interest
  
  
• The Forum publishes this policy in full on its website.

Oct 2005