Promoting Peace and Preparedness: Looking Ahead to the 3rd Global Public Health Week

Promoting Peace and Preparedness: Looking Ahead to the 3rd Global Public Health Week

The Global Public Health Week (GPHW), orchestrated by the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA), signifies a pivotal moment for the global public health community. Emerging from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of public health has never been more apparent. This year, under the theme ‘Fostering Peace as a Prerequisite for Equitable Health,’ GPHW not only celebrates the resilient spirit of the public health workforce but also casts a spotlight on the critical intersections of peace, health equity, and pandemic preparedness.

Background: Public health has long served as our collective safeguard, quietly averting crises and nurturing the well-being of communities worldwide. However, the recent pandemic has thrust this area into the spotlight, underlining the essential role of public health in our lives. Yet, as the immediate threat of COVID-19 recedes, we face the danger of complacency. The journey ahead requires us to capitalize on the current momentum to strengthen our preparedness against future health emergencies. Visibility, understanding, and global collaboration in public health are essential to prepare us for the challenges ahead.

GPHW 2024: The third iteration of GPHW, scheduled to commence on April 8, 2024, embodies a commitment to these principles. Combining face-to-face and digital forums, the week offers a range of opportunities to share ideas, strategies, and innovations. Each day is dedicated to a specific sub-theme, ranging from reimagining public health paradigms to integrating mental well-being into health agendas, from promoting sustainable living to preparing the next generation of health professionals. This diverse agenda reflects a holistic approach to health and well-being, emphasizing the interconnectedness of our global community.

Highlight Events: The opening and closing ceremonies of GPHW 2024 encapsulate the week’s core messages. The opening ceremony, led by Luis Eugenio De Souza, WFPHA President, and Bettina Borisch, WFPHA Executive Director, will delve into the crucial role of peace in achieving health equity. Featuring eminent speakers from diverse health sector backgrounds, the panel discussion is uniquely positioned to provide in-depth information on how public health can play a central role in promoting peace.

The closing ceremony, themed ‘Strengthening Preparedness for the Next Pandemic: Are We Ready?,’ brings into focus the urgent need for robust pandemic preparedness. The session, chaired by Emma Rawson, WFPHA president-elect, features a keynote on the negotiations for a pandemic treaty by Jaouad Mahjour, Head of WHO Secretariat to INB and IHR Amendments. A panel discussion will follow the keynote address, setting out a strategic vision focused on building resilience and preparing global health for the future.

Conclusion: As we look toward GPHW 2024, the call to action is clear – ‘We must foster peace, enhance global health governance, prioritize mental well-being, advocate for sustainable communities, and nurture competent health professionals’. Only through a united front can we face the uncertainties of the future with confidence. Let us remain committed to the vision of a healthier, more equitable world, fortified against the threats of tomorrow. Join us as we embark on this transformative journey towards a brighter future.

Stay tuned for more updates on GPHW 2024!

GPHW2024: Interview “Rethinking public health paradigms to foster peace and equity”

Theme: Rethinking Public Health Paradigms

Date and Time: 8th April 2024 |08:00-17:00 (GMT-6)

Event Description: Dr. María del Rocío Sáenz Madrigal and MEd. Luis Fernando Solís Calvo, the Executive Director and Communications Coordinator of the Health Equity Network of the Americas (HENA), respectively, share their experiences as Costa Ricans in fostering a culture of peace and how that impacts public health based on values that promote just and equitable societies. They address why peace is a prerequisite for equity and how public health can build peace. Additionally, they explore how health equity is viewed as a process and discuss how Costa Rica’s experience may be used to exchange ideas and build a peaceful world.

LinkedIn

Event Type: Social Media Campaign

Event Format: Online

Language(s): Spanish

Organiser(s): La Red de las Américas para la Equidad en Salud (RAES)

How to Attend Virtually: Secretaría Técnica – Centro de Investigación en Cuidados de Enfermería y Salud (Universidad de Costa Rica): secretariatecnica@raesequidadsalud.org

Registration: N/A

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