Joint Statement on Formal Partnership between ILDS and GlobalSkin
Together, the ILDS and GlobalSkin have been working towards shared goals since GlobalSkin’s founding in 2015 during the World Congress of Dermatology in Vancouver Canada. Since that time, the relationship has continued to grow, with significant strides made particularly in 2020 with the following achievements:
- The ILDS invited GlobalSkin to join the ILDS Patient Organisations Working Group
- GlobalSkin became a patient representative member of the ILDS World Congress of Dermatology’s Scientific Programme Committee
- The organisations co-organised webinars in 2020 and 2021 on COVID-19, atopic eczema and rare diseases
This Memorandum of Understanding is a key step in supporting the ILDS’ commitment to increase patient engagement in its activities to enhance the quality of care provided to dermatology patients worldwide. This also contributes in a meaningful way to GlobalSkin’s mission to lead a global movement for people living with dermatological conditions by uniting patient voices, empowering patient organisations, stimulating research, influencing decision makers, and collaborating with communities of interest like the ILDS and dermatology professionals. Together, both organisations will focus on achieving these shared goals.
“The ILDS is committed to the inclusion of the patient voice in our activities and collaborates with patients’ organisations across a range of areas. This MoU formalises our work with GlobalSkin and is a key part of our ‘Global Partnerships for Skin Health Strategy’. Now, more than ever, it is important to work collaboratively to achieve improvement in skin health around the world.” Lars French, ILDS Board President.
“Since its founding in 2015, GlobalSkin has recognized the value of collaboration with leaders in the dermatology community like the ILDS. The coronavirus pandemic has amplified the need for collective action in patient care and support; bringing patient leaders and dermatology professionals together enhances these efforts. This MoU will enhance our collective efforts – now and in the future – to improve the lives of dermatology patients through better access to care and treatment, and address stigmatisation, persecution, or economic disadvantages due to their conditions. Together, we are stronger.” Simmie Smith, GlobalSkin Board President.
By working together as partners through this MoU, both GlobalSkin and the ILDS acknowledge a common commitment to advance patient-centred healthcare worldwide to:
- develop a framework for meaningful and systematic engagement and collaboration between the ILDS and patient organisations
- support the involvement of patient organisations and patient leaders as equal partners in the development of skin health policies and services
- support and promote global exchange of good practice among stakeholders for patients’ benefit
- encourage and support the collaboration and development of patient-centred programmes and policies
- strengthen dialogue between patient organisations and patient leaders and the healthcare sector and its stakeholders