This week, the European Drugs Agency (EUDA), through the COPOLAD III Programme, is promoting oline training sessions focused on strengthening early warning systems in Latin American and Caribbean countries through training in prospective analysis. What does this mean? To be able to work on future scenarios, with existing information.
In a rapidly changing world, the ability to anticipate emerging threats and challenges is increasingly important, especially for national early warning systems tasked with safeguarding public health and safety. Forward-looking analysis methodologies play a vital role in shaping effective responses and ensuring preparedness. Since 2019, the EUDA has been actively developing foresight expertise in the area of drugs, including the development of a foresight toolkit.
Two-part training
The training will be divided into two parts. Part 1, open to all Latin American and Caribbean countries, focuses on the development of ‘future literacy’ skills, with a particular emphasis on navigating uncertainty, creating projections and developing scenarios.
The second part will consist of a practical exercise for representatives from four Caribbean countries: Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. Participants will have the opportunity to apply specific foresight methods and tools to explore potential challenges, including those posed by synthetic opioids in the region.
This foresight exercise will facilitate the development of scenarios in 2025 on emerging trends (including those related to synthetic drugs). It will also gather information on potential opportunities, threats and policy responses. In the framework of this EUDA alliance 7 Latin American and Caribbean countries will improve their Early Warning Systems by the end of the Programme in December 2025, including digital tools and wastewater analysis.
