GPHW2024: ASPHER’s Core Curriculum Programme (CCP): what are the needs for teaching the role of public health in preventing and responding to armed conflict?

Theme: Fostering the Development of the Right Competencies within Tomorrow’s Health Workforce

Date and Time: 12th April 2024 | 12:00-13:30 (CEST)

Event Description: We are faced with an emerging set of public health challenges due to war and conflict, as a result of political instability and climate catastrophe. Injury and death, and the physical and psychological impact of violence on individual and population health cannot be underestimated, especially for the most marginalised in society, and across generations. The impact on infrastructure can devastate health systems and economies. Consequently, the contribution of public health to promote peace and equity has never been more important. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the need for a new set of core public health competencies to meet these emerging challenges.  ASPHER’s curriculum review has been guided by the need to train tomorrow’s workforce in high-level communication, the role of the built environment, 21^st century field epidemiology, criminal justice, disaster preparedness and health system resilience and sustainability. The specific challenges of war and conflict for public health will be addressed in this discussion. There will be an expert panel and Q&A session with the online audience. We understand the importance of building vital capacity amongst public health professionals together with affected communities. The panel will include public health curriculum design experts. They will describe ASPHER’s curriculum approach so far, touching on the new public health realities and the ethics of public health. We will engage the audience in a discussion of how these relate to our development of a War, Conflict and Public Health curriculum. What should public health professionals do to enhance their skills in preventing violence, responding to violent conflict, and in recovery and rehabilitation from conflict situations?  We will set out an agenda for a series of subsequent meetings to discuss the areas of work needed in more detail.

Programme for the meeting: 

12.00-12.05     Introduction by the chair:  Amanda Mason-Jones, Associate Professor in Global Public Health, University of York and ASPHER Emergencies Task Force.

12.05-12.10     The ASPHER core curriculum programme: Teaching conflict, war and public health:  what have we found so far?   Mary Codd, Director, UCD Master of Public Health (MPH) & EuroPubHealth (EPH+) Programmes ASPHER Executive Board / ASPHER Public Health Core Curriculum Programme Lead.

12.10-12.20     War, conflict and public health Mukesh Kapila, Professor Emeritus, Global Health and Humanitarian Affairs, University of Manchester.

12.20-12.30     Public health preparedness Dorit Nitzan, Ben Gurion University and formerly WHO European lead for emergency preparedness. 

12.30-12.40     Teaching conflict, war and public health Colette Cunningham, University of Cork and World Federation of Public Health Associations, Public Health Emergency Preparedness lead.

12.40-12.50     Public health student’s views on teaching war and conflict Walaa AlAbssi, MPH student, UCD.

12.50-13.00     Preventing violence, from local to global   John Middleton, Vice President, Global Network for Academic Public Health.

13.00-13.25     Open Discussion

13.25-13.30     Chair’s conclusions and next steps Amanda Mason-Jones, Associate Professor in Global Public Health, University of York and ASPHER Emergencies Task Force.

For any inquiries, please contact lore.leighton@aspher.org

Event Type: Panel discussion & round table

Event Format: Online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): ASPHER

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom link (will be sent after registration)

Registration: Link

GPHW2024: Beyond Borders: Toward Equitable Global Health Governance

Theme: Enhancing and Democratizing Governance in Global Health

Date and Time: 09 April 2024 | 13:00 – 15:30 GMT- summer time

Event Description: The Afghanistan Center for Health and Peace Studies (ACHPS), in collaboration with the World Federation of Public Health Associations, is proud to hold “Beyond Borders: Toward Equitable Global Health Governance” Webinar as part of the Global Public Health Week.

In today’s interconnected world, the need for inclusive decision-making processes in global health governance has never been more critical. This webinar aims to advocate for and raise awareness of the pivotal role of inclusivity in shaping equitable governance frameworks that accommodate diverse perspectives and ensure fair representation for all nations, organizations, and individuals.

Event link

Event Type: Seminar/Webinar

Event Format: online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): The Afghanistan Center for Health and Peace Studies (ACHPS)

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom link

Registration: N/A

GPHW2024: Unveiling Hidden Struggles: Mental Health of Afghan Women and Girls

Theme: Putting Mental Wellbeing on the Health Agenda

Date and Time: 10 April 2024 | 15:00 – 16:30 GMT

Event Description: In the wake of recent events in Afghanistan, particularly the imposition of bans on women and girls’ education by the Taliban, there’s a pressing need to shed light on the mental health struggles faced by Afghan females. The webinar, “Unveiling Hidden Struggles: Mental Health of Afghan Women and Girls,” seeks to analyze their mental status, advocate for their rights to access mental health services, and foster discussions on resilience-building strategies.

This webinar aims to:
1. Analyze the mental status of Afghan women and girls in light of recent events.
2. Advocate for their rights to access mental health services and psychosocial counseling.
3. Call for action for more research and advocacy efforts in addressing their mental health needs.
4. Share insights from the Afghan context with the global community.
5. Seek expert advice on enhancing resilience among Afghan women and girls.

The webinar will consist of:
1. Introduction by the Moderator: Providing context and setting the stage for discussions.
2. Panel Discussion: Four-panel members, including Afghan and international experts, will address eight key questions.
3. Audience Engagement: Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during a dedicated Q&A session.

Speakers:

Patrick Marius Koga, MD, MPH, FRSPH

Dr. Koga is an Associate Professor and Director of Ulysses Refugee Health Research Program in the Dept. of Public Health Sciences (Divisions of Epidemiology and Health Informatics) at UC Davis School of Medicine

Shugufa Basij-Rasikh, MPH, MSM, PhD candidate – United States

Graduate assistant at the Hawaii Office of Wellness and Resilience within the Office of the Governor

Dr. Masoud Ghafoer, PsyD

Adjunct professor at California School for Professional Psychology. Prevention counselor and program coordinator at Afghan Coalition, facilitating mental health support

Maryam Safi

Founding Executive Director of the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS), established in Afghanistan in 2014 and expanded to Canada in 2021

This webinar is co-hosted with the World Federation of Public Health Associations, leveraging their expertise and resources. It coincides with the Global Public Health Week, highlighting the intersectionality of mental health and public health issues.
Join us in this critical conversation as we strive to amplify the voices of Afghan women and girls and advocate for their mental well-being amidst challenging circumstances.

Event link

Event Type: Seminar/Webinar

Event Format: online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): The Afghanistan Center for Health and Peace Studies (ACHPS)

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom link

Registration: N/A

GPHW2024: Sustainable Heath Equity Movement: three years in motion

Theme: Promoting a Sustainable Life for Thriving Communities

Date and Time: 11th April 2024 | 13:00-14:00 (BRT)

Event Description: In July 2020, the Sustainable Health Equity Movement (SHEM) was launched, dedicated to promoting sustainable health equity as an ethical principle guiding all national and international economic, social, and environmental policies. Since its inception, the movement has issued statements, participated in various UN System meetings, and raised awareness about the urgent need to address two intertwined challenges: social inequality and the climate crisis.

At this event, two of SHEM’s founding figures, Dr. Juan Garay, Head of Cooperation at the European Union’s Mission in Cuba and a professor of Global Health at the National School of Public Health in Spain, and Dr. Paulo Buss, Director of the Center for Global Health at The Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ) and Full Member of the Brazilian National Academy of Medicine since 2005, will analyze SHEM’s trajectory and discuss its next steps. The discussion will focus on the challenges of achieving sustainable health equity for the current and future generations.

This matter is particularly urgent given the evident interconnectedness of peace, well-being, and health outcomes in the face of ongoing conflicts. Initiatives aimed at conflict resolution, social cohesion, and the establishment of just governance structures are integral components of a broader strategy to ensure sustainable health equity. In the pursuit of a healthier and more just society, the imperative is clear: fostering peace is the path toward a future where the right to health is universally upheld, a commitment SHEM has maintained since its foundation.

Event Link

Event Type: Panel discussion & round table

Event Format: Hybrid

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): 

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom Link (will be sent after registration)

Registration: Link

GPHW2024: PHASA Climate, Energy and Health SIG : Centering health in the Just Transition, is the health sector on board?

Theme: Promoting a Sustainable Life for Thriving Communities

Date and Time: 11 April 2024 | 15:00-16:30 GMT+2

Event Description: The session will characterize the Just Transition and Health in South Africa. South Africa’s history of dependence on coal-fired power has had severe impacts on climate, environmental health, and public health, demands for a planned just transition to clean renewable energy have been made locally and globally. The session will engage the health sector to advocate for healthy energy policy, prevent climate and air pollution-related diseases. In keeping with the principle of restorative justice the session will highlight the need for greater climate ambition and required health system changes for a Just Transition

1. The state of the Just Transition and Health in South Africa. (Mr. James Irlam)
2. Voices from the Mpumalanga Highveld with respect to their health, their livelihoods, and their homes. (Ms. Promise Mabilo)
3. The steps towards developing a community health plan for Mpumalanga using the Just Transition Lens (Dr. Sean Patrick)
4. Lessons from Health Care Without Harm and India on the Just Transition (Ms. Shweta Narayan)

The Panel will discuss the Just Transition in South Africa and advocate for a health plan for communities impacted by air pollution and climate change in the Mpumalanga area and many parts of the country.

Objectives:

1. To explore strategies of how the health sector can advocate for healthy energy policy, prevention of climate and air pollution-related diseases
2. To determine progress on local implementation of the Just Transition framework after community consultations
3. To describe how the just energy transition to renewable energy will benefit public health in South Africa and mitigate climate change
4. To explore Feasibility studies on how the Life After Coal Open Agenda translates into localized Just Transition centers in the Komati area

Event Type: Seminar / Webinar

Event Format: online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): Sean Patrick

How to Attend Virtually: Zoom link

Registration: N/A

GPHW2024: African RAfrican Regional Aggregation Event at Global Public Health Week Regional Aggregation

Theme: Enhancing and Democratizing Governance in Global Health

Date and Time: 9th April 2024 | 11:30-13:00 (GMT)

Event Description: A Panel Discussion with an interlude of Networking session during break-out sessions. The first two speakers will each be given a maximum of 10 minutes to share their opinion about the theme. The participants will then be given 20 minutes for networking and share their views on what the first two speakers have highlighted.

The last two speakers would then be also given 10 minutes each to share their views about the theme. This will be followed by a question and answer session that will last for at most 20 minutes

Event Type: Seminar / Webinar

Event Format: Online

Language(s): English

Organiser(s): 

How to Attend Virtually: Contact nuhafofana8@gmail.com

Registration: N/A