Launch Rotterdam Global Health Initiative October 28th, 2011
Many health experts gathered Friday in Theater LantarenVenster in Rotterdam for the international launch of the Rotterdam Global Health Initiative (RGHI). The dynamic network character of the RGHi was nicely displayed by the presence of a large number of health researchers from the Netherlands and abroad: representatives of the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs, the Alderman for Innovation and her civil servants of the City of Rotterdam; partners from international NGOs and Rotterdam businesses, and honorary guests from the embassees of Bangladesh, Mozambique, Nigeria and the Polish EU presidency.
Opening session
During the opening session, a trailer produced by Joep Bannenberg of MoMoves portrayed the aims and ambitions of the RGHI:
Soul singer Denise Jannah and her guitarist Wolf Martini subsequently set the tone and formed an appropriate ouverture for prof. Huib Pols, the dean of the medical school who officially welcomed everybody to the symposium.
Key note speakers
A high level panel of key note speakers subsequently addressed some important challenges in research and policy in global health today. Former special rapporteur for the UN and Essex professor Paul Hunt stressed the importance of providing detailed contents to the notion of health as a human right and pointed to the necessity of interdisciplinary research. Prof. Adam Wagstaff, chief health economist at the World Bank entered into the various challenges, especially of scaling up and ‘democratizing’, of research efforts into health and equity (click here to see Adam Wagstaff's presentation). Dr. Agnes Soucat, director Human Development at the African Development Bank gave a clear overview of the most important current trends in African health and development. She highlighted the importance of investing more intelligently in research infrastructure in Africa, and in giving considerably more room to the voice of people and communities (click here to see Agnes Soucat's presentation). And international health systems specialist prof. Tim Evans broadcasted a video message from Dhaka underscoring the intellectual and institutional shifts which are required in international medical training, to meet the new challenges in global health.
Click here to see the video message of prof. Tim Evans from Dhaka.
High tea
A high tea with cross-over encounters between social entrepreneurs and researchers ensued. Companies such as Philips, Viroclinics, Crosslinks, River Diagnostics, Aafje, Millennium Promise, and Het Portaal had sent representatives to debate some major global health challenges with participants around a high tea table.
Panel
The final international panel, moderated by prof. Pauline Meurs, engaged in a critical exploration of the question of how we can make global health truly global. Chief state epidemiologist of Nigeria Kogi State, dr. Balogun; international emergency care specialist prof. Mads Gilbert; UCL global health specialist Mike Rowson, performance based financing expert Bruno Meessen and VOX AFRICA TV deputy editor Raissa Okoi exchanged views on the current trends in global health. They drew on their rich experience in both research and fieldwork to share numerous observations about the importance of local and cultural sensitivity In global health work. Several panelists made a strong plea to address issues outside the comfort zone and safeguard sufficient diversity of perspectives in global health.
Toasts
The official launch reception was opened by special toasts from mrs. Korrie Louwes, Alderman for innovation of the City of Rotterdam; dr. Lionel Veer, special ambassador for Human Rights (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), mr. Fred Lafeber (international affairs department, Ministry of Health), and prof. dr. Henk Schmidt, rector magnificus of Erasmus University.
Photos
For photos of the RGHI International Launch please click here.
Click here to see photos of the visit of RGHI and iBMG to China.
Click here to see photos of the RGHI International Launch.
