Public Perspectives
First Symposium Session
Watch the full first session here.
Global Health Ministries’ annual October Symposium opened online on October 6 with representatives from multiple global health organizations sharing their experiences of how the ground has shifted since the pandemic, and insights for what this means for public-private partnerships and the role of faith-based NGOs like GHM.
The Global Health Puzzle: How do we fit together now? is the theme of this year’s 3-part Symposium. The first session, focused on “Public Perspectives,” opened with remarks by James Campbell, Director, Health Workforce Department, World Health Organization. Jim invited us to consider our shared global objective – health for all - and our roles in how we partner to expand that calling.
Recording of remarks by James Campbell, WHO
Other speakers for this session included Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director, Country Programmes, for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Thabani described the challenges of COVID-19 vaccine distribution to and within underdeveloped countries and the difficulties created by the unpredictable supply of vaccines that has characterized this pandemic. He also noted that “governments can’t do it alone. They need the partners … to help them.” and asked that faith-based organizations use their ability to “speak truth to power,” urging that in a global world it’s important that when we are provided vaccines, they be provided to everybody.
Recording of remarks by Thabani Maphosa, Gavi
Dr. John Nkengasong, Director, Africa CDC, also spoke, and emphasized the important role of faith-based partners in mobilizing communities and, during this critical time, creating the demand for vaccine uptake. Dr. Nkengasong was recently named one of the world’s most influential people in the annual Time100 list.
Recording of remarks by Dr. John Nkengasong, Africa CDC
The session was rounded out with remarks from Adam Phillips, Director of the Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships Hub and of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships for USAID, who shared USAID’s ongoing commitment to robust partnerships with faith-based communities. And Jodi Harpstead, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Services, brought the perspective of a significant state-based organization to the conversation.
Recording of remarks by Adam Phillips, USAID
Recording of remarks by Jodi Harpstead, MN Dept of Human Services
Each of the speakers for this opening session expressed a strong sense of solidarity, and shared the importance of everyone’s role in working for our shared aim of health for all. The second session of this year’s Symposium is Wednesday, October 13, from 12-1 pm CT, and will focus on “Private Perspectives” with representatives from Ecolab, Medtronic and GHR Foundation joining us as we consider how public, private and faith-based efforts can fit together to improve public health. You can also listen to the rest of the Symposium live by registering to receive the link.