Health care systems in South Eastern Europe are characterized by a predominantly curative orientation. During the last decade, public health became insufficient due to war as well as economic and political changes. Today, there is a lack of competence in public health, above all in health management and strategy development but also in the fields of health surveillance and prevention. It is recognized that there is a need for sustainable collaboration and support in advanced training and continuing education of qualified professionals to reach the required competence levels.

The Forum for Public Health in South Eastern Europe (FPH-SEE) is established in the context of the European Public Health Association (EUPHA). It is organised as a non-governmental and non-profit consortium of public health institutions in the South Eastern European Region (SEE) aiming at exchange of experience, mutual support and common activities for a New Public Health.

FPH-SEE is an open arena set to enhance the quality of training and research for the practice of public health in South Eastern Europe.

1) To develop up to date teaching materials for the public health sciences online and in print-versions with a focus on specific problems and experience in South Eastern Europe
2) To determine and analyse in a comparative way health indicators for South Eastern Europe
3) To support the institution building for public health, especially with regard to Schools of Public Health, Institutes of Public Health and Public Health Associations
4) To organise professional meetings, workshops and conferences in the South Eastern European Region
5) To publish a common section in suitable journals which appear regularly in South Eastern Europe
6) To execute and publish together public health research in the South Eastern European Region
7) To review existing health policy options comprising all relevant issues of the New Public Health and to develop corresponding strategies and recommendations.
8) To share experience in public health practice.