2023 WHO Trip
Master of Public Health (MPH) students 2023 educational trip to Geneva with:
INTRODUCTION
Every year, the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training organises an educational trip to Geneva for the Master of Public Health students at Imperial College London. As part of the experience, the students attend engaging and interactive talks led by experts in major public health fields; such as, health systems and innovation, evidence-informed policy, and health systems financing, just to name a few.
On previous trips students have visited:
- The UN in Geneva | The United Nations Office at Geneva (ungeneva.org)
- Home – The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
- The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement | IFRC
- Homepage | The United Nations Office at Geneva (ungeneva.org)
- MSF – Médecins Sans Frontières | Medical humanitarian organisation
- The UN Refugee Agency | UNHCR UK
- Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Plus, enjoyed social activities such as dinner and walks around the city of Geneva.
Alongside, providing the unique opportunity for students to meet experts in public health fields who are currently working at a global level, the trip complements their studies by creating a platform for the appreciation of the practical application of their Master of Public Health. Added to that, the students are given an informative insight into the jobs and internships recruitment processes within the WHO.
The 2023 trip which took place between 14th and 16th June 2023, included thirty Master students in Public Health and Global Health streams and was led by Professor Salman Rawaf and Dr Mays Raheem from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Public Health Education and Training at Imperial College London. It was the first in-person trip post pandemic and its 13th edition including virtual versions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Recall the role, mandate, and work of the WHO in global health.
- Describe key international initiatives in global health.
- Describe future plans and strategies of global health actors.
- Demonstrate how the coordination between global health stakeholders impacts global health.
- Translate knowledge gained during the Masters of Public Health course to real-life, professional situations.
2023 PROGRAMME
14 June: World Health Organization HQ
Afternoon
- Session with the Global Health Workforce Team and Jim Campbell, Director
15 June: World Health Organization HQ
Morning:
- WHO mandate, how we work with member states, challenges with Margaret Harris, WHO Spokesperson
- UHC financing – how does WHO support LMIC/conflict zones in achieving affordable and accessible healthcare with Susan Sparkes, Technical Officer, Universal Health Coverage
- Primary Health Care in LMICs – what are the most important barriers to improving PHC in LMICs and what role does WHO play in improving it with Shams Syed, Head, Policy and Partnerships, The Special Programme on Primary Health Care
Lunch and visit book/gift shop
Afternoon
- Mental health & challenges of a “one-size-fits-all” approach & mental health care in different geographical settings with Aiysha Malik, Mental Health Specialist
- Emergencies – role of WHO when facing health security threats with Abdi Mahamud, Incident Manager, Acute Events Management
- Career session with Hans Willmann, HR Team Leader
Dinner
16 June: UN Refugee Agency / Red Cross Museum / City Tour
Morning
- Visit of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Afternoon
- Red Cross Museum
- International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
