Global Learning II: Examining the Global Health Equity Landscape

Global Learning II helps Fellows connect their fields of work to the global health equity landscape and to build leadership skills that can make them more effective in their professions. This year’s Global Learning II component, held June 7-17 in Washington DC, and Cambridge, Massachusetts, offered multifaceted programming, with classroom learning sessions from top global experts and inspiring leaders; site visits to demonstrate ways to improve health equity in local communities; discussions to better understand the role of the U.S. government and of nonpartisan think tanks in global health; and skill-building workshops on public narrative and adaptive leadership.

In Washington DC, Fellows got to discuss with experts led by Steve Morrison, senior vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) on the role of the US government and think tanks in the global health field. Moreover, Fellows also had the chance to learn more about US history through guided tours in DC’s iconic landmarks.

In Boston, Fellows attended lecture type sessions at Harvard University and MIT as Fellows experienced more technical training on various health equity issues, including working poor with Professor Martha Chen, one of the founders of WIEGO (Women in Informal Employment Globalizing and Organizing) who focused on health equity for women in the informal sector. Dr. Lincoln Chen, CMB president emeritus, gave insights on how health, equity and social justice intersect, while Dr. Winnie Yip professor of global health policy at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public health and director of the school-wide Harvard China Health Partnership talked about lessons from her work in health systems and health financing- why health systems fail and how they can be improved.

Teddy Svoronos, lecturer at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University talked about how leaders and policy makers can make use of evidence-based approaches to curb social, economic and political inequalities. Professor Marshall Ganz, of the Harvard Kennedy School conducted an introductory course to Public Narrative, to create buy-in and support towards their causes. Dr. Richard Cash, senior lecturer on Global Health and Population at the Harvard T. H. Chan School of public health and pioneer of oral rehydration therapy (ORT) spoke about scaling up health equity and Adaptive Leadership was taught by Dr. Hugh O’Doherty, delineating authority and leadership, encouraging Fellows to question the leadership norms often seen day-to-day.

Thank you to all other speakers who contributed to such rich experience in Global Learning II. As Fellows learned from global experts, Fellows were also given the opportunity to contribute their own knowledge and expertise, adding local perspectives to the global narrative. Throughout the learning and travel, the bonds between Fellows were strengthened, and a renewed sense of appreciation for their home region grew. We are grateful to CMB Trustee Steve Morrison for hosting the Fellows for a roundtable discussion at CSIS in Washington, and for CMB President Emeritus Lincoln Chen for meeting with Fellows in Cambridge.