From the editor
Have you ever heard the story of the great philosopher, innovator, and change maker called Ephraim Herbert Freiburg Fuller? It would also have been quite surprising, considering I just made him up – but inspired I got inspired by our acronym. But just like “Once Upon A Time…” triggers the curiosity in most children, using a storytelling approach is often a short cut to our attention. So the theme of the newsletter this month is storytelling. And also the link from storytelling in the transformation process, connected to both trust and hope.
The realm of storytelling in itself is not about action. It’s mostly about motivation. About values, about mindsets, and about preparing for future actions. We tend mostly in our modern world to focus on how we can get things to move, to change, to improve – but can often miss, that before this movement there’s a very important phase that prepares the mind – individually and collectively – towards this future movement or action.
The compelling story can drive human beings to work for decades towards the dream of a future goal, sometimes even knowing, that they will not live to see the result of their work. But also knowing that their work will lay the ground for a change in the future. This mechanism can be used – and misused. Cynics will point to Roman rulers and their use of the Colloseum, others maybe to French kings, or in present day to either the story of trickle down economy or the alternative facts offered by an American President. But misuse of storytelling is just another proof of effect, not of morals per se.
We human beings are hardwired to listen, use, and connect via stories. They have the ability to rewire our brain, redesign our thinking, and to confirm our subconscious narrative. So the better we recognise and use modern formats of storytelling, the better we can navigate our change making landscape.
There are two additional reasons to highlight storytelling. One of them is the ability to use this creative method of high intensity human data sharing when building trust. To display or connect via perhaps empathy, compassion, or resilience. The other is the ability to build a long lasting framework for hope, enabling people to work through challenges, hardship, and sometimes pain because hope drives them across their uncertainties and anxieties.
We need more trust and hope. We need better ways to build it and to repair it. And while trust and hope cannot be ordered online, it can be nurtured, optimised, and refined by continuous attention. So do dive into articles, cases, methods, and ideas – or read the full editorial on our website here. Or consider joining our webinar on storytelling and design thinking for change October 8th (read more or see below). Or read this recent report on trust created by Adam Skali and the editor. Or see new tool to create more systems leader here. Or elements for digital storytelling. Or…
Lars Münter, Development Director EHFF
International Director, Nordic Wellbeing Academy
UN Report; UN reports are rarely read…
If a report isn’t read, does it make a sound? Recent report by UN Reform, presented August 1st by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, lamented the low level of readers of UN reports.
Besides leading to both flagellation, jokes, and more victim blaming, discussions about the quality of storytelling was also very active – sparking more activity than the original reports did – and coming up with some key advice for report writers/producers to consider:
- Using “Dip, Swim, Dive” Framework
- Leading with Stakes (Heart), Not Just Stats (Head)
- Hiring Audience Translators
And added that clear, accessible communication isn’t a branding fix – but social justice issue.
Webinar on storytelling in the service of transformation
Three great speakers join our upcoming webinar October 8th, 14-15 CET:
Veron WK Lai – read her blog on storytelling in healthcare
Hailey Hechtman – read her story about becoming a mental health activist
Tobias Gantner – read his latest story about AI for democratising human storytelling
Sensemaking: A Leadership Superpower That Creates Hope In Uncertainty
In uncertain times, storytelling becomes a vital compass—a form of sensemaking that leaders can wield to instill hope and direction. A recent Forbes article explores, how enduring optimism doesn’t stem from false assurances, but from narratives that clarify complexity, illuminate change, and empower individuals to recognize their own agency.
Crafting and sharing stories that map the unfamiliar doesn’t erase uncertainty—but it transforms fear into purposeful action and explores how storytelling anchors us in moments of flux: guiding teams to understand the why, connect deeply, and step confidently into the unknown.
WHO storytelling repository
39 individual stories – videos of individuals sharing their perspectives – are part of WHO Western Pacific Region Communication for Health (C4H) approach.
In health communication, scientific evidence and data are often used to convey important information and advice about behaviours that impact health. However, facts alone may not be enough to engage and convince people.
Read more – or see videos here
Social movements are challenged – not a coincidence?
Storytelling can also be a key for climate change – says the authors of Narrating Sustainability through Storytelling. However, we need to update our efforts on this, says author of The Good Society and co-Author of the Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone, Kate Pickett as she summarises the last 15 years in an appeal and analysis in Social Europe about the current (wrong) trajectory of equality and its profound impact on health and democracy. This is not just an idea or a narrative – it’s a story of the value of social action.
Three Horizons – scientific publication accepted
Amazing news. Our work in the Transformational Catalyst group have gotten their paper on the Three Horizons foresight study accepted by the Nordic Journal of Wellbeing and Sustainable Welfare Development – “A long-term vision for sustainable, resilient European health eco-systems: a strategic foresight based on Three Horizons Mapping” it is now in final production. We will share it as soon as possible (open access!), but you can read in introduction to the work and thinking here (to be expanded asap).
Trust in science – a political choice?
New blog by John-Arne Røttingen, CEO of Wellcome Trust dives into a fundamental challenge; that trust in science is becoming a political choice.
Trust in science is critical for health. Science brings us insights and solutions that can improve health around the world – if we put them into practice. But putting them into practice depends on the decisions of individuals, communities and governments. Those decisions are rooted in trust.
Read more
Trust crisis in EU health NGO community – and financial meltdown
Health NGOs are making staff redundant and leaving Brussels after the European Commission failed to pay out expected grants, leaving some without most of their funding for the rest of the year. The number of firings and redundancies are massive.
The European Public Health Association (EUPHA), based in Utrecht, the Netherlands, intends to file a complaint to the European ombudsman over the missing grants
… Not only it betrays trust, it also probably breaches its own legal obligations,” said Charlotte Marchandise, executive director of EUPHA to Politico – read more.
Also MEPs warn that the broken promises might indeed be illegal – read more.
And have sparked an intense debate and criticism among health NGOs – see voices and warnings in this post from senior policy advisor Paul Belcher here.
Considering the already massive cuts in NGO funding from US, UK, and now EU – a new story about the end of an era for NGOs is upon us – read more here.
Future of Health in Europe conference – in London
So ironically – in a time where EU has cast significant uncertainty about the strategy for future health – Economist Impact invites stakeholder to the second annual Future of Health Europe summit where policymakers, public-health experts, clinicians, patient groups, scientists, pharmaceutical executives, technology developers and investors will share strategies for building resilient, future-proofed health systems.
And in addition – almost adding insult to injury – or maybe just a contradition in the midst of uncertainty? – the EU Policy Lab in July launched a new initiative to support EU Member States in embedding long-term, anticipatory thinking into decision-making at every level—national, regional, and local. A better late than never, maybe? Will be interesting to see if this really leads to adoption of true strategic foresight or a new toolbox of excuses for the hesitant decision-maker.
Getting more system leaders – a manual?
New publication by Paul Cairney and Claire Toomey of University of Sterling in Policy Design & Practice describes a manual to build or educate more system leaders at a time when they are sorely needed.
Systems leaders are trusted actors who help many people to collaborate to address wicked policy problems. These policy problems resist simple solutions by a few powerful actors in one center of government. Therefore, we need systems leaders to inspire and empower many other actors to produce more transformative change.
Interesting timing of new strategic investment scheme for our WG on Women’s Health – a theme EHFF is also busy highlighting at upcoming Digital Health conference in Berlin, September 3-4 and at Women’s Health conference in Rome, October 16-17.
Upcoming policy events
Together4Health
September 16-18, 2025 | Aalborg, Denmark
As part of the Danish EU Presidency, the Together4Health conference will focus on new perspective for transforming and integrating the Healthcare systems and sectors. We wish to promote innovation and foster groundbreaking solutions to drive the development of tomorrow’s health and care systems. Lars Münter and Nina Sønderberg are leading a breakout panel on future health workforce with Natasha Azzopardi (WHO Europe), Charlotte Marchandise (EUPHA), and Stella Goeschl representing the JA PreventNCD Youth Action Group.
Read more
European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2025
September 30 – October 3, 2025 | Bad Hofgastein, Austria
Europe’s leading health policy forum returns with a 2025 focus on system resilience, digital transformation, and cross-sector health integration. Policymakers, academics, and civil society will gather to co-shape inclusive, sustainable European health policies. Lars Münter and Nina Sønderberg will participate and report.
Read more
13th International Multithematic Biomedical Conference
November 6-8, 2025 | Nicosia, Cyprus
With the main conference hosted by the European University Cyprus, EHFF is collaborating with Nordic Wellbeing Academy, Cambridge Medical Academy and IE Open as part of the One Health One Road Alliance to facilitate a series of 7 policy sessions to discuss the future of EU health policy – bridging the current Danish EU Presidency with the upcoming Cypriot EU Presidency. EHFF members Carina Dantas, Eva Turk, Adam Skali, Lars Münter, and Nina Sønderberg will be joined by a European and global team of experts.
Read more.
18th European Public Health Conference
November 12–14, 2025 | Helsinki, Finland
Hosted by EUPHA, this year’s conference will address sustainable investment in health, advancing equity, and embedding public health into policy frameworks. A vital platform for shaping public health strategies across Europe. Lars Münter will join panel to talk about innovation in health investments and funding streams.
Read more
Swiss initiative may rewrite global story on AI
New LLM built and donated by the Swiss for the common good promises to end current dependency on English only. And fired by green energy, it promises to be EU AI Act compliant from day 1. Launch date set to summer 2025 – and a reformation of the playing field for US AI hegemony too?
New tool to help AI developers comply with AI Act
EHFF member Carina Dantas has been involved as one of the members of Working Group 4 of the European Commission Working Group on the General-Purpose AI Code of Practice supporting the Code’s development.
In July they issued the Guidelines for providers of general-purpose AI models – a voluntary tool, prepared by independent experts in a multi-stakeholder process, designed to help industry comply with the AI Act’s obligations for providers of general-purpose AI models which gives them time to prepare well ahead; as by 2 August 2027, providers of general-purpose AI models placed on the market before 2 August 2025 must comply.
New Partners joining EHFF
The great global mentoring programme has joined hands with EHFF to become a nested working group to both assist and enable more mentoring, more futures thinking, and more hope and inspiration in global health action. EHFF member Janet Michel continues to lead the programme with this new support. Read more.
IDA is a global public health advocacy organization uniting civil society to drive policy, financing, and collaboration for the prevention, treatment, control, and research of infectious diseases—guided by a One Health approach – new EHFF Rodrigo Scotini leads the work to connect stakeholders. Read more.
New Members Meet August 14th
We welcomed three new members August 14th – Shaun Charles Small, Sreten Koceski, and Dr Yvonne Prinzellner. And you can meet them too below. Lots of new insights on health related to gender, youth, emergency response, correctional systems, capacity building, research, digital communication, and so much more. In New Members Meet in September (aiming for the 10th, 14-15 CET) we’re hoping to also meet Yiota Liaramantza, Rodrigo Scotini, and Liza Collins. Or more…
More Domain Experts Newsletters Coming Up
From the beginning of 2025 we’ve asked and found a series of domain experts in our forum to share their insights in the key domains they thrive in. This newsletter is the first of these. Coming newsletters will share more from these special editors and experts.
You are welcome to join this dedicated group – or just share tips or insights from previous or coming events that you think we should include in coming newsletters.
