Hosted by Dorset LEP, One Health 2023 brought around 100 experts and senior decision makers to Kingston Maurward College near Dorchester to share advice and insight on sustainability and our shared environment.
They included business leaders, scientists, policymakers and investors keen to support innovative solutions to challenges prompted by climate change, pollution and disease.
One Health is a globally recognised concept whose starting/one-health point is that the health of humans, animals, plants and natural ecosystems is totally interconnected.
How this can inform innovation in business is a major strategic priority for Dorset LEP investment.
Dorset LEP’s Chair Cecilia Bufton told the conference that the One Health Enterprise Network (OHEN) will aim to help companies and organisations in all disciplines touching on human, animal, plant or environmental health.
Cecilia said: “Through the power of collective action, the OHEN partnership will leverage investments in One Health technologies across multiple applications, enabling business innovators to strengthen their prospects of financial returns by developing resilient, sustainable solutions.
“OHEN will facilitate connections for mutually beneficial collaboration with fellow businesses, universities, government, centres of excellence, voluntary agencies and funders.
“The ultimate aim is to accelerate the design, development and deployment of products and solutions that improve lives through better public and environmental health outcomes.
“Engaging the passion, dedication and skills of those already on this journey in a collaborative approach with those yet to join the network, will be the key to our success.”
Presentations and panel sessions at the conference considered One Health challenges such as disaster preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, natural capital and how to age well.
Speakers discussed how One Health approaches can support agriculture and food production security through improved methods of animal, plant and soil management.
And opportunities opened up through AI to assess the baseline health and biodiversity of land and seascapes were also highlighted.
Participants highlighted the value of the face-to-face nature of the event and the scope it afforded to discuss potential collaborations.
Mark Burnett, Director of the Seiche Water Technology Group, said: “Conversations took place between people from different sectors keen to network and see where opportunities for collaboration might lie.”
Mark’s comments were echoed by Maria Clarke, Dorset Local Nature Partnership Manager.
Maria said: “The conference was an ideal opportunity to engage with partners and stakeholders who aren’t necessarily your usual go-to people, so you could really find out what else might help the work you are doing.”
Organiser Kevin Brooks said: “The conference was a step change in the development of the One Health Enterprise Network.
“There were so many talented and interested people in the room who have asked us to go on to develop a sustainable network for the creation of clean growth products and solutions that can meet wicked One Health challenges.”
Complementing the businesses, research bodies and community and third sector organisations represented at the event were attendees from the NHS, Innovate UK and the Department for Business and Trade.
Its Senior Strategy Manager for NHS Innovation and One Health, Ellis Emwanta, described One Health as an approach to solutions for tackling disease and preventing pandemics as well as providing nutrition for our growing and ageing populations.
Ellis also talked about trade as a force for good and linked his remarks to the work described earlier by Emily Fripp from Efeca, in which she proposed partnerships that could positively address food security, housing, environment and social mobility issues, by applying the One Health approach.
Delegates agreed that a steering group will be formed in autumn 2023 to progress OHEN by defining the scope of collaboration and developing investment metrics adapted to the needs of changing priorities.
OHEN will initially have a focus on the Great South West and Wessex regions. These include Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Somerset, South Wiltshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, with further strategic partners being sought from industry, government and academia.
For more details, visit our One Health page