2024 Symposium

Schedule

Day One
November 18
8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Global Health Frontiers: Technology, Equity, Climate Resilience, and Financing Solutions
Plenary
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8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Global Health Frontiers: Technology, Equity, Climate Resilience, and Financing Solutions
Plenary

This opening plenary will explore how innovation, equity, and sustainability intersect in global health, with a focus on how cutting-edge technology and novel financing models can address pressing health challenges. The panel will also explore how climate change impacts global health and the steps necessary to create resilient and equitable health systems.

Speakers:

  • Yacine Djibo, CEO, Speak Up Africa
  • Dr. Vanessa Kerry, WHO Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health
  • Christoph Benn, Joep Lange Institute
  • David McAfee, CEO, Viamo
9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Navigating the Intersection of Climate Change and Health: Strategies for Resilient Health Systems
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Navigating the Intersection of Climate Change and Health: Strategies for Resilient Health Systems

This session will delve into the critical intersection of climate change and health, focusing on the profound impacts of climate change on health outcomes and the necessary strategies to build resilient health systems. Participants will gain insights into the key interactions between climate variables and health, explore effective mitigation and adaptation strategies, and understand the importance of policy advocacy and cross-sector collaboration. The session will also highlight the role of community empowerment in addressing climate-related health challenges. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to advocate for and implement climate-resilient health practices in their respective fields.

9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
From Theory to Practice: Equitable Health Programs in Jordan
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
From Theory to Practice: Equitable Health Programs in Jordan

This interactive panel discussion will explore key strategies and approaches that ensure health equity, particularly within health and humanitarian contexts. The session will begin with an overview of these strategies, setting the foundation for understanding how they can be operationalized to address health disparities among vulnerable populations.

10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Inclusivity Starts with Availability: Equitable Access to Care for Underserved Populations
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Inclusivity Starts with Availability: Equitable Access to Care for Underserved Populations

The purpose of this session is to bring together organizations that deliver health services specifically tailored to the needs of underserved populations, including people with disabilities, older people, and people with unmet mental health needs, to explore the needs and gaps in health services for these underserved populations as well as shared recommendations for governance, systems strengthening, and financing.

10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
CSO-led Advocacy for Prioritizing Domestic Resource Mobilization
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
CSO-led Advocacy for Prioritizing Domestic Resource Mobilization

Health budget advocacy is important for countries of all income levels to ensure that their health systems are sustainable, equitable and effective country owned. This workshop will provide an overview of budget advocacy, using practical examples and drawing on lessons learned from successful budget advocacy campaigns in low and middle-income countries.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Implementation of a Global Surgical Collective
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Implementation of a Global Surgical Collective

This presentation explores the concept of a worldwide surgical AI collective. It examines how such a collective could revolutionize surgical practices glob ally by leveraging AI, big data, and international collaboration. The talk covers the potential benefits, technical requirements, and ethical considerations involved in creating this innovative system. Attendees will gain insights into how AI could transform surgical care, the challenges of implementing a global medical AI network, and the implications for healthcare equity and patient outcomes worldwide.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Leadership for Health Workforce Resilience: Facing Conflict, Climate, and Health Emergencies Head-On
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Leadership for Health Workforce Resilience: Facing Conflict, Climate, and Health Emergencies Head-On

The virtual session will include experts, implementers, and representatives from countries experiencing emergencies. Speakers from crisis-affected settings will describe the actions taken to build the resilience of health workers and the critical role of leadership to ensure that services continue in the face of crises.

Day Two
November 19
8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Advocacy in Motion Results Presentation
Plenary
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8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Advocacy in Motion Results Presentation
Plenary

This session will provide participants with the opportunity to learn about the outcomes of our recent GHC Advocacy in Motion (AIM) grant program and the incredible work being done by our grant recipients. During the webinar, participants will have the chance to hear directly from grant recipients, who will share their stories and insights into the challenges they face and how they work to overcome them to create positive change in their communities.

9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
HIV & Climate Change: Safeguarding Health in a Changing World
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
HIV & Climate Change: Safeguarding Health in a Changing World
This session will present the Frontline AIDS Climate-HIV Framework and the evidence linking HIV and climate change. We will also explore the need for new alliances and practical partnerships to ensure the most marginalised communities are better protected and served and some of the lessons learnt from the HIV response, and other recent global events (e.g. the COVID-19 pandemic or the conflict in Ukraine) which could be instructive in addressing the climate crisis.
9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Driving Health Equity Through Digital Innovation in Maternal Care
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Driving Health Equity Through Digital Innovation in Maternal Care

The session will focus on how technology and innovation can improve maternal and child healthcare in underserved communities. This discussion will highlight the importance of using technology to tackle healthcare challenges and improve outcomes.

10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Leadership & Global Health Equity: An Intergenerational Approach to Global Health Governance
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Leadership & Global Health Equity: An Intergenerational Approach to Global Health Governance
With the backdrop of the recent 2024 Summit of the Future, this session will explore how intergenerational collaboration can serve as a powerful driver of leadership and governance in global health equity. Building on the summit’s emphasis on inclusive and forward-thinking solutions, it will bring together young leaders and seasoned professionals to discuss practical strategies for integrating diverse generational perspectives into global health decision-making. The session will highlight how youth and older generations can co-create policies that address pressing challenges, including social inclusion, and the health needs of the most-affected populations. By fostering mutual learning and shared leadership, the session aims to demonstrate how intergenerational partnerships can help build more inclusive, resilient, and equitable health systems for the future.  
10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
AI for Impact: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Global Health Leaders and Communicators
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
AI for Impact: Unlocking the Power of Artificial Intelligence for Global Health Leaders and Communicators

During this interactive session on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) for leaders and communicators in global health, we will explore the transformative potential of AI, while addressing critical issues such as ethics, privacy and responsible use.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Use of Innovative Financing Mechanisms for the Education, Employment, and Retention of Health Workers
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Use of Innovative Financing Mechanisms for the Education, Employment, and Retention of Health Workers

Lack of financing is one of the major barriers to giving all people access to motivated, quality healthcare workers. Our panel presents some of the many recent innovations in financing health worker education, employment, and retention. We will review the various financial barriers and challenges at each stage of the health worker life cycle and present financing solutions for these challenges.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Membership 101: our Roadmap to Getting the Most from Your Global Health Council Membership
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Membership 101: our Roadmap to Getting the Most from Your Global Health Council Membership

Welcome to our community! Join us for an informative session where you’ll learn about who we are, our mission, and how we serve our members. We will provide a detailed overview of the resources, programs, and services available exclusively to GHC members, as well as ways to engage with our events, initiatives, and leadership opportunities. We will also be available to answer any questions you may have about our membership. Whether you’re looking to network, amplify your work, or get involved in advocacy, this session is your gateway to making the most of your membership!

Day Three
November 20
8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Elevating Community Health Systems as a Pathway to Equity and Resilience
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8:00 am – 9:00 am @ Virtual
Elevating Community Health Systems as a Pathway to Equity and Resilience

This session, hosted by Global Communities and its partner IntraHealth International, will bring together a health extension worker, health systems specialists, and a policy expert to discuss opportunities and challenges of delivering community health services, especially in crisis contexts. The panelists will share case studies from Ghana, Ethiopia and South Sudan, illustrating the vital role of community health workers in caring for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate crisis and protracted conflict. The speakers will also explore promising practices and innovative approaches designed to strengthen the capacity of community health systems so that they can meet the diverse needs of community members, reduce health disparities, prepare for disasters and respond to emerging health threats. Finally, the session will cover the role of policy advocacy and participatory governance in creating an enabling environment for community health.

9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Advancing Global Health Equity through Accountability
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Advancing Global Health Equity through Accountability

This panel will explore governance and accountability models for the WHO Pandemic Agreement and discuss the various commitments of stakeholders in the global health architecture for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPPR). We will highlight the importance of including in the WHO Pandemic Agreement a mechanism that guarantees access for low- and middle-income countries to medical countermeasures in future pandemics while preserving the innovation ecosystem that delivered a vaccine 326 days after the SARS-CoV-2 genome was sequenced.

9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Innovative and Equitable Solutions for Community Health Workers
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9:00 am – 9:50 am @ Virtual
Innovative and Equitable Solutions for Community Health Workers

This session aims to 1. Elevate the voices of CHWs and listen to their key priorities for working with communities 2. Understand innovations and equity issues for CHWs in integrated primary health through examples from the Philippines and Bangladesh 3. Learn about the role of private sector engagement in health and financing, including costing for CHWs for gender-equal health systems

10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Adolescent Health and Well-being: Update on Efforts to Reach Global Goals
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Adolescent Health and Well-being: Update on Efforts to Reach Global Goals

Global adolescent health initiatives have accelerated in recent years in response to budding awareness of young people’s needs. This session highlights current efforts by WHO and others to strengthen primary care and improve professional education and health care delivery systems for young people living around the world.

10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Leveraging AI and Technology for Global Oral Health Collaborations
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10:00 am – 10:50 am @ Virtual
Leveraging AI and Technology for Global Oral Health Collaborations

The session will delve into AI-driven diagnostics, teledentistry, and smart devices that extend the reach of dental care beyond traditional clinical settings. Panelists will highlight success stories and quantifiable impacts on oral health outcomes across diverse communities. Additionally, the discussion will address critical challenges in the field, including creating and maintaining equitable datasets, potential biases in AI-based disease detection across different demographics, and strategies to ensure technological advancements benefit all populations equally. By examining both the promises and pitfalls of AI and technology in oral health, this panel aims to provide valuable insights into navigating the new frontiers of global health leadership and policy. The session will conclude with a forward-looking perspective on integrating these innovations into sustainable, equitable oral health systems worldwide.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Demystifying the Future of HIV Financing: Pathways to an Equitable and Sustainable Response
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Demystifying the Future of HIV Financing: Pathways to an Equitable and Sustainable Response

The call is clear: with only 34% of lower and middle-income countries’ HIV responses financed domestically (compared to 96% of their health systems costs), we need to accelerate work now to achieve and sustain an impactful HIV response by 2030. Mainstreaming HIV services into strengthened primary health care systems has been highlighted as a pathway for both addressing equity gaps while permitting financial efficiencies that would enable countries to domestically finance their HIV responses as part of an integrated health system. This session will kick off by framing where we need to head to sustainably finance an end to HIV as a public health threat, followed by practical insights from government representatives, implementers, and advocates on pathways that countries, including Kenya and Ukraine, are already taking nationally and sub-nationally to integrate their HIV response into domestic health system financing.

11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Global Inequities in Access to Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Treatments
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11:00 am – 11:50 am @ Virtual
Global Inequities in Access to Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Treatments

This panel will explore global inequities in access to vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments, as exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on ongoing discussions around the WHO Pandemic Agreement. The conversation will examine the potential impact of the agreement, the influence of the private sector, and the importance of establishing sustainable, long-term solutions such as regional manufacturing in the Global South. Using MPOX as a sub-theme, the panel will highlight structural inequities in global health, particularly around affordability and access to vaccines and treatments, and discuss how binding provisions for equity and sustainable financing can shift the global health landscape from a charity model toward self-sufficiency. Experts, including key voices of global health advocates and experts, will provide insights into advancing equity amid critical final negotiations in Geneva.

Day Four
November 21
7:30 am – 9:00 am @ National Housing Center, 1201 15th Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Breakfast, Registration & Networking
8:00 am – 9:00 am
Health Equity
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Opening & Keynote
9:30 am – 10:30 am
The Future of Global Health: U.S. Leadership and the 2024 Election Outcome
Opening Plenary
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9:30 am – 10:30 am
The Future of Global Health: U.S. Leadership and the 2024 Election Outcome
Opening Plenary
This plenary will explore how the 2024 U.S. election could impact America’s role in global health policy and funding. Panelists will discuss potential shifts in priorities, such as disease prevention, pandemic preparedness, and health equity, and examine how changes in U.S. leadership may influence global health partnerships and initiatives.
Speakers:
  • Carmen Paun, Global Health Reporter, POLITICO
  • Dr. Ahmed Ogwell, VP of Global Health Strategy, UN Foundation
  • Gunjan Veda, Executive Director The Movement for Community-Led Development
  • Abby Maxman, OXFAM America
10:30 am – 10:45 am
Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Developing Policies that Protect Women, Newborns, and Children Globally
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Working Collectively to Achieve Stronger Global Health Security Commitments
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Strengthening Health Systems through Interventions across Six Pivotal Building Blocks
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch & Networking
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Advocating for Stronger Global Health Commitments and Accountability in NCDs
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Increasing Global Health Funding in Appropriations; Advocating for Legislation Beneficial to Global Health Initiatives
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Building Stronger Global Health Commitments and Accountability in Multilateral Fora
2:30 pm – 2:45 pm
Break
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Navigating the Future: Driving Global Health Progress in 2025
Closing Plenary
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3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Navigating the Future: Driving Global Health Progress in 2025
Closing Plenary

This plenary will explore key advocacy and policy priorities in global health for 2025, focusing on multilateral engagement, pandemic preparedness and response, health and conflict, and primary health care. The goal is to provide attendees with actionable insights to shape the global health agenda for the coming year.

Speakers:

  • Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO, ONE Campaign
  • Carrie Hessler-Radelet, CEO, Global Communities
  • Sameera Altuwaijri, Global Lead, Population and Development, World Bank
  • Justin Cormier, D.C. Liaison Office, World Health Organization
4:00 pm – 4:15 pm
Closing Remarks
4:15 pm – 4:30 am
Break
4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Networking Reception