Seed at the 77th World Health Assembly, Geneva
Join us in Geneva for the 77th World Health Assembly! The Seed Global Health delegation, along with our partners and colleagues, will advocate for health equity and investing in a well-trained, well-resourced global health workforce.
Our country directors will be speaking on panels with Foreign Policy, the Rockefeller Foundation, Pfizer, the Frontline Health Worker Coalition, and Pathfinder International.
Main events
1. Foreign Policy Global Health Forum: A Healthier, More Equitable Future for All
Event Details – May 30, 2024, 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM CEST, InterContinental Genève 7, Chem. du Petit-Saconnex 9, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland
As part of the Foreign Policy Global Health Forum, Seed Global Health is co-hosting a panel session on Climate Crisis as Health Crisis: Resilience and Security in a Warming World.
This session will address the pressing intersection of climate and health, emphasizing how climate change is a threat-multiplier, exacerbating risks to global health, and by extension, threats to global security and economic development.
Join us for this conversation regarding preparedness and strategies for resilience in the face of this unprecedented challenge, including a headline conversation with Minister Chiponda, Malawi Minister of Health, and a panel discussion with representatives from Seed Global Health, Pfizer, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
Speakers include:
Irene Atuhairwe, Uganda Country Director, Seed Global Health
Darren Back, Vice President, Global Health and Social Impact, Pfizer, Inc. and Executive Director, The Pfizer Foundation
Dr. Naveen Rao, Senior Vice President, Health, The Rockefeller Foundation
2. Frontline Health Worker Coalition: Innovate, Invest, Empower & Protect: Shaping the Future of Health Workforce
Event Details – May 27, 2024, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM CEST, Warwick Geneva 14 Rue de Lausanne 1201 Genève Switzerland
Seed Global Health, as part of the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, and coalition members CARE USA, Johnson & Johnson, Living Goods, Pathfinder International, Project HOPE, and Smile Train will host an in-person panel discussion on best practices, locally led solutions, and partnerships that help create an enabling environment for health workers.
Our Uganda country director, Irene Atuhairwe, will be joining the panel to speak on the importance of investment and share examples of projects and partnerships that have led to better health outcomes and a stronger pipeline of health workers.
Full speaker details, including panelists will be released shortly.
3. Commitment to Action: Centering Health in Climate Action Plans
Event Details – May 30, 2024, 13:30 PM – 14:00 PM CEST (refreshments and networking) | 14:00-16:00 (event), Geneva. Full address will be shared with attendants closer to the event.
The Government of Rwanda and partners will bring together governments, donors, and civil society organizations to coordinate advocacy efforts and push promises and declarations into action.
Our Uganda country director, Irene Atuhairwe, will be joining the panel discussion of African health and environmental leaders to share models and approaches for sustaining and strengthening health systems through the climate crisis.
Coordinating partners are Living Goods, Pan African Climate Justice Alliance, Partners in Health, Pathfinder, University of Minnesota, University of Global Health Equity, Yale University, and Devex.
4. Return on Investment: Financing Climate and Pandemic-Resilient Health Systems
Event details – May 29, 2024, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM CEST. Participants will receive location details (in-person in Geneva) in advance with their event confirmation.
Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF), Pandemic Action Network (PAN), and Resilience Action Network Africa (RANA) are hosting a special session on the sidelines of the World Health Assembly on financing climate and pandemic-resilient health systems.
Our Zambia country director, Bassim Birkland, will be joining the panel who will be discussing how to better elevate and demonstrate the cost and return on investment of building climate and pandemic-resilient health systems.
Meet our delegation
Who from Seed Global health will be at WHA? Meet our delegation ⬇️
This year members of the Seed team will be heading to Geneva to speak on panels, share our experience and knowledge and connect with other global health advocates. See who will be in town for the 77th World Health Assembly. If you would like to connect with a member of our team, please reach out on LinkedIn.
Irene Atuhairwe – Uganda Country Director
Irene leads the Seed Uganda team and represents the organization with key stakeholders. Irene is passionate about strengthening the nursing and midwifery profession; health systems strengthening; maternal, neonatal, and child health, as well as, serving marginalized populations.
Bassim Birkland – Zambia Country Director
Bassim leads Seed’s programming in Zambia. A champion of primary care, you will find Bassim rounding the medical wards at a government hospital with students and residents as a physician educator, at his office at the University of Zambia where he lectures, or carrying out work related to Seed.
Courtney Bridgeo – Director of Development
Courtney works on the development team at Seed Global Health, supporting the organization in expanding its network of supporters, partners and ultimately, Seed’s impact.
Tom Fairchild – Director of Advocacy and Media
Tom drives Seed’s advocacy, media, and communications efforts to advance Seed’s policy positions and influence decision-makers, both at global and national levels.
Lauren McKown – Managing Director of Development
Lauren leads Seed’s development team to strategize and fundraise for the organization, focusing on working with mission-driven partners to advance Seed’s programs.
Fauve Morse – Digital Content Manager
Fauve manages Seed’s digital content strategy and online presence across our website, social media platforms, and digital publications.
Leandra Rivera – Senior Global Strategic Initiatives Officer
Leandra works with our stakeholders to advance key strategic projects and programs that will elevate Seed’s platform and work to prospective donors and other key stakeholders, including global convenings, development campaigns, and other initiatives.
