Teaching Global Health- through a practitioner’s lens

Sector?

Capacity Building; Global Health; Humanitarian emergencies

What?

Strategic communications;

Where?

Switzerland

Why?

Geneva is the home of the UN, and with nearly 250 international and local NGOs, it is the global heart of the humanitarian action and multilateral diplomacy. Boston University, Boston MA, USA runs a Public Health program in Geneva. Students from BU and their partner universities such as Cornel, John’s Hopkins, Duke, Providence and LeHeigh come to Geneva to participate in the two courses- Principles of International Health and Controversies in International Health and simultaneously do an internship at an international organization.

When?

2015, 2016, 2017

What exactly?

I have designed the content of the two modules- Principles of International Health and Controversies in International Health and deliver them to students over four months. The course Principles of International Health is delivered at the premises of the University of Geneva.

With- whom?

Boston University

University of Geneva

What happened?

1. Students are exposed to the making and shaping of global health policies
2. Participants gain an appreciation for the wide circle of ‘actors’ involved in influencing health and health outcomes
3. Students gain an understanding of the main drivers of health in the global south and how these are shaped

“ Dr. Sunoor Verma’s insatiable desire for critical and meaningful dialogue has profoundly influenced the format and content of the Geneva Health Forum, pushing us to consider new rules of engagement and new ways to frame and debate global health topics.”

Dr. Slim Slama

Formerly Program Director

Geneva Health Forum

Hospitals of the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.

Geneva Health Forum

Sector

Global Health

What?

Strategic planning; Strategic partnerships; Strategic Communication; Fundraising; Dialogue management; Project development;

Where?

Geneva, Switzerland

Why?

I was brought in to the GHF to expand its reach, funding base and help re-strategize so that the forum becomes sustainable.

The Geneva Health Forum is not just another conference on health. By looking to the future, it brings vision and thrives on all participants’ unique experiences and in depth insights on topics and initiatives generated and implemented all over the world. At the GHF it is believed that pooling intelligence will bring value and challenge common ideas to explore new territories of freethinking and build on inter-sectorial approaches to solving the problems of our time.
As it is held in Geneva, a city where all the major actors in Global Health are located, the Geneva Health Forum provides a unique opportunity to meet and shape tomorrow’s agenda on major health issues. Organized by the Geneva University Hospitals and the University of Geneva in partnership with the other main Swiss academic institutions and Geneva based organizations and key players in health, the GHF offers ample opportunities to debate freely on current health issues.

When?

2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

What exactly?

I mapped, negotiated and implemented a three-tier partnerships strategy for the sustainability of the Geneva Health Forum (Content, Thematic and Geographic partnerships). This involves establishing Public-Private partnership arrangements without jeopardizing credibility. More about the GHF can be read on it’s website www.genevahealthforum.org
I conceptualized and negotiated inter-institutional linkages for the implementation of a robust communications strategy for the Geneva Health Forum. This effort links academic, research and teaching institutions with multilateral and bilateral donors, foundations, private sector and media.

With- whom?

Hospitals of the University of Geneva (HUG)

University of Geneva

Swiss Development Cooperation Agency (SDC)

Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

What happened?

Over the last four years the reach of the GHF has multiplied and it has established itself as an important event on the global health calendar. It attracts close to one thousand practitioners, academia and policy makers to Geneva to search for solutions in health.