2021 IN REVIEW

A message from the CEO and Director

2021 was another year with crucial developments in key areas of our global society due to the widespread pandemic, disrupting further the right to health and development for all. All of us were and continue to be directly or indirectly affected by the pandemic, causing distortions in our lives. At hera, 2021 started out with the tragic loss of our colleague Jean-Pierre Kashala in the DRC and throughout the year we lost some other close friends. We hold their memory dearly and share the loss with friends, colleagues and family.

2021 was another year of working mainly virtually with the consequent ups and downs. Despite all the challenges of 2021, it was also a very special year for us with the transition to our new management team. We are grateful for the legacy and support received from Leo and Martine, and from all our hera partners, associates and employees. A key highlight of 2021 was our Extraordinary General Assembly where many of us were amazingly able to gather for three days in Belgium, and where we had the opportunity for an appropriate celebration in honour of 31 years of hera.

Looking forward to 2022, we strongly reconfirm our commitment to the ten principles of the United Nations (UN) Global Compact to human rights, labour, anti-corruption and the environment. As such, we will further engage in collaborative projects which advance the broader development goals of the UN, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals. We also continue to call for broad-scale political and economic action to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), leaving no one behind.

In 2022, hera will continue our work in reducing our environmental footprint and we strive to obtain trustworthy certification for these efforts. Similarly, in our work, we intend to be selective with regards to our assignments with an increased focus on the resilience of health systems, equity and gender equality, as well as environmental protection as a determinant of health. We remain passionate, professional, rigorous, and focused on quality in our mission to uphold the right to health and development for all.

We are grateful for all the work, partnership, and contributions from our consultants and clients and look forward to continuing this work in 2022, towards a better world.

With best wishes,

Marieke and Leen