Background

In 2006, the Global Influenza Programme (GIP) undertook to develop a generic training package around the various aspects of pandemic influenza preparedness and planning. As a starting point, pandemic influenza training material that had been developed by WHO Regional Offices and partner organizations was compiled and reviewed. This revealed a wealth of useful material that had already been developed for use in various settings and for a variety of audiences. From this material a package of training resources was developed and posted on the WHO website for use by focal points in Member States. See more... ...

Downloads

Capacity building activities during pandemic influenza

Influenza Training Network Mandate

Meeting reports

Link

Influenza Training Digital Library

About Us
What we do

The Influenza Training Network (ITN) was established to contribute to global capacity strengthening in the prevention and control of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases of international concern, including unknown diseases. This would be achieved by enhancing global awareness, knowledge and skills through sharing of resources, evidence-based practices, best practices and innovative initiatives and work with regions, countries and other key partners to ensure that appropriate health officials are targeted for an enhanced response and contribution (ITN mission statement, June 2010). See more... ...

Contact Us

Would you like to join the Influenza Training Network and participate in its activities? Would you like to know more about us? Please do not hesitate to get in touch by email to:

The Secretariat
Influenza Training Network
Email: influenzatraining@who.int
http://www.influenzatraining.org

Who we are

The Influenza Training Network currently has 11 member organizations and is growing. Its members come from diverse backgrounds, for example: non-government organizations, government entities, international organizations and the UN organizations. The list of member organizations of the ITN can be found here.

As more contributions were received and new information on pandemic influenza became available, it became apparent that the material on the website needed to be catalogued, updated and some form of quality control introduced. It was also apparent that there were significant gaps in the training material available. A network of experts from a variety of disciplines and trainers was therefore formed to review the training package and update and adapt existing material in the various topic areas. It was also agreed that a more generic training package was needed; one that could be adapted at country and regional levels, as well as addressing the gaps in the training materials that had been identified.

In July 2008, formal terms of reference were developed for an Influenza Training Network (ITN). These covered assessing needs and identifying required competencies for influenza training pack­ages: reviewing, adapting new and existing training packages; monitoring progress in the use of these materials to document experiences and best prac­tices; and the development of an evaluation tool for training. It was also agreed that the training library of influenza-related training materials should be available to a wider audience, hence the start of the development of the Influenza Training Digital Library which can be accessed by anyone. This was officially launched in May 2009. The library can be accessed at http://www.influenzatraining.org

The network has continued to evolve. Recently, ITN members brainstormed on the areas the network should focus on in order to further efforts in strengthening global influenza capacity. The exercise identified three core functions, namely: critical mass of (expert) trainers on influenza; a forum to share training materials; and a forum to share training resources.
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The initial contents of Influenza Training Digital Library (ITDL) (www.influenzatraining.org) were provided by international organizations, academic institutions and WHO; the same partners became the first members of the Influenza Training Network. The ITDL is being managed by a working group of the ITN.

The Influenza Training Network meet annually to exchange information and discuss future projects on building capacity to respond to threats of influenza and relevant diseases.
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Members of the Influenza Training Network:

Academy for Education and Development (AED)
http://www.aed.org/

African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET)
www.afenet.net

Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC)
www.adpc.net

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
www.cdc.gov

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
www.giz.de

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
http://www.ecdc.europa.eu/

Health Protection Agency
http://www.hpa.org.uk/

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
http://www.ifrc.org

International Organization for Migration
http://www.iom.int

Mekong Basin Disease Surveillance (MBDS)
http://www.mbdsoffice.com

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
http://www.rivm.nl

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
www.unicef.org

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
http://www.unhcr.org/

WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO)
http://www.emro.who.int

WHO Regional Office for Europe (EURO)
http://www.euro.who.int

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
http://www.paho.org

WHO Regional Office for South East Asia (SEARO)
http://www.searo.who.int

World Food Programme (WFP)
http://www.wfp.org/

World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/ihr/en/
http://www.who.int/hrh/en/
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/mission/en/
http://www.who.int/medical_devices/en/
http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/quality_safety/en/
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