Submission ID 131739
| Issue/Objective | In a fragmented global health landscape marked by geopolitical tensions, declining trust in multilateralism, constrained financing, and widening inequities, diplomacy is increasingly recognized as an upstream determinant of health equity. Yet, structured platforms bridging academia, policy, and diplomatic practice remain limited, particularly in regions navigating complex settings. This work presents an integrated approach led through the Global Health Institute (GHI) within the World Health Summit Academic Alliance Working Group on Health and Science Diplomacy, aimed at strengthening equity-oriented global health governance through structured interfaces between evidence, policy, and practice across complementary workstreams. |
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| Methodology/Approach | The Working Group operates through six interconnected workstreams that function as a system linking knowledge generation, convening, capacity building, resource mobilization, and policy engagement. These include: (1) harmonized webinar series for global knowledge exchange; (2) active engagement in global and regional forums; (3) Health and Science Diplomacy Academy strengthening capacities of policymakers and practitioners; (4) production of policy briefs and scholarly outputs; (5) coordinated fundraising and donor engagement; and (6) regional policy labs focused on solution co-production. A cross-cutting coordination mechanism ensures alignment through standardized planning, iterative consultation, and continuous engagement among academic, governmental, and multilateral stakeholders. |
| Results | The initiative is expected to generate tangible outputs across streams, strengthening the link between evidence, policy, and diplomacy. The knowledge and policy stream produces policy briefs, analytical papers, and scholarly manuscripts translating evidence into actionable governance insights. The regional engagement stream delivers structured policy labs and high-level forums, including a World Health Summit panel, resulting in co-developed recommendations and a regional roadmap. Cross-cutting outputs include capacity development through an executive program and joint funding proposals. Overall, the approach positions diplomacy as a practical tool addressing governance gaps and advancing equity, trust in science, and coordinated policy action. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The experience demonstrates that health and science diplomacy, when operationalized through structured institutional mechanisms, can move beyond discourse to become a practical governance tool. By integrating evidence synthesis with policy experimentation, this model supports more responsive, equitable, context-relevant health governance. In a fragmented global order, such approaches are critical to restoring commitment to action and advancing health equity through strengthened implementation pathways. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Nathalie Khawam Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut Shadi Saleh Global Health Institute, American University of Beirut |
