Opportunities for advocacy in global health

The Center for Global Health Education (CGHE), part of the Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health in Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, hosted its third annual Global Health Education Day symposium May 26.

The annual event brings together researchers, educators and students to discuss and explore issues and innovations in the area of global health.

“Today is one of the first times being together in a long time, and I can feel the energy,” said CGHE co-director Dr. Ashti Doobay-Persaud. “It’s really terrific to be here with all of you.”

Students, staff, faculty and community members in attendance were able to view presenters’ work during the poster session. Those present also had the opportunity to attend plenary and keynote talks followed by question-and-answer sessions, in addition to a closing networking reception.

“This year, our theme is advocacy, and our speakers are going to challenge you to think of yourselves as advocates,” Doobay-Persaud said.

Author Lise Saffran, associate teaching professor at the University of Missouri, provided the keynote address, highlighting ways storytelling can enhance self-awareness and cultural humility in public health practice and improve communication around significant issues of public concern.

“The goal of this work is to engage with the humanities in order to shift the way we see ourselves in the world by cultivating the attributes that ethical storytelling and true empathy require — curiosity, humility, the tolerance of ambiguity and respect for others,” Saffran said, referring to the different narratives we hold and how they reinforce what we already believe.

Juliet Sorensen, clinical professor of law at the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, led the plenary, “The Criminalization of Obstetric Emergencies: Avenues for Advocacy in Global Health.”

Sorensen, associated with the Center for International Human Rights, also is director and founder of the Northwestern Access to Health Project, an interdisciplinary partnership that analyzes access to health in resource-limited settings. She described the work that she and her students are doing to bring justice to victims, while challenging the group to stand up for justice. 

“Each of you here today has the training and experience to be an advocate for global health whether that entails upholding the law or seeking to reform it,” Sorensen said.

CGHE co-director William Leonard offered closing remarks during the networking reception, with special appreciation for this year’s engaging speakers and poster presenters.

The Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health is supported by a historic gift from the Patrick G. ’59, ’09 H and Shirley W. Ryan ’61, ’19 H (’97, ’00 P) Family.