Global Health Diplomacy

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only been a health crisis but also a turning point that deepened debates on justice and inequality at the global level. One of the most critical phases of the pandemic-the development and distribution of vaccines-brought the concept of "vaccine nationalism" to the forefront. Vaccine nationalism is defined as states prioritizing limited vaccine supplies for their own citizens, engaging in large-scale stockpiling, and relegating international solidarity to a secondary position (Fidler, 2021). This situation particularly restricted access to vaccines for low-and middle-income countries and made inequalities in global health more visible. Although global mechanisms such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and COVAX undertook significant initiatives with the aim of ensuring equitable vaccine distribution, the economic and political priorities of powerful states often limited the effectiveness of these mechanisms (Eccleston-Turner & Upton, 2021). Thus, the pandemic emerged as an arena where the preservation of the "global common good" and the pursuit of national interests clashed within international relations. This article examines vaccine nationalism in the context of global inequality and discusses its consequences in terms of both international cooperation and health diplomacy. While highlighting the unequal effects of the pandemic, the study also explores how the concept of justice in global health has been redefined in the international system. The findings demonstrate that vaccine nationalism is not merely a short-term crisis management preference but a phenomenon that reproduces permanent injustices within the global order.

The Ebola outbreak (2014-2016) exposed serious weaknesses in global health preparedness, and illustrated that pandemics are not just biomedical crisis, but crises of communication, trust and leadership. Taking a secondary approach, this article draws upon academic literature, policy reports and case studies to explore the role of public relations (PR), crisis communication and leadership in the context of the Ebola response, and what can be learnt for future pandemic preparedness. Findings include: crisis communications, misinformation and fear due to delayed and inconsistent messages; leadership and trust, influence community compliance and resilience; community participation and cultural sensitivity, importance of co-created interventions with local actors; strategic PR tools, media campaigns, social mobilization, trusted spokespersons; pandemic preparedness, embedded health systems communication. The analysis reveals that effective management of the pandemic is not only a matter of medical interventions but also of open communication, humane leadership and culturally sensitive engagement of the community. This has implications for institutionalizing crisis communication hubs, a more integrated approach to public health governance and PR and further opportunities for leadership training and global coordination in countering misinformation. The article concludes that science and communication are something we need in the form of scientific solutions and communicative strategies when it comes to saving lives in a pandemic. "PR and leadership lessons from Ebola must be built into future health policy so we don't repeat the mistakes of previous crises during the next pandemic.

BackgroundGlobal health diplomacy is the applied practice of foreign affairs to further national goals that focus on health issues requiring international cooperation and collective action. We aimed to determine how international diplomats and health policy-related professionals in the EU understand the concept of health diplomacy, which impacts both diplomatic relations as well as patients' rights.MethodsIn a qualitative interview study, we used a heterogeneous stratified purposeful sampling to reach participants from different countries and different practitioners from the Pyramid of Health Diplomacy: core, multi-stakeholder, and informal. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify the main themes.FindingsWe contacted 131 practitioners of GHD, of which 37 responded, and nine agreed to be interviewed. From 11 interview questions, four main themes emerged from the analysis of the individual interview. The participants reported limited knowledge about the definition of GHD ...

This is especially the case if there is a sincere desire to see Iran incorporated long-term into the global community and not simply continue to punish it as a pariah into political perpetuity. Several conceptual and theoretical explanations have been used to highlight key indicators that counteract the effectiveness of sanctions within the Middle East and how the spread of certain ideologies and social practices have impacted the success of international mediations. This microcosm analysis of the various social variables, mostly stemming from historical and political events, supports the need to judge more harshly the long-term efficacy of sanctions. It provides an analysis concerning weapons proliferation within Iran and will question the overall potential success of sanctions against such targeted states.

The science of global health diplomacy (GHD) consists of cross-disciplinary, multistakeholder credentials comprised of national security, public health, international affairs, management, law, economics and trade policy. GHD is well placed to bring about better and improved multilateral stakeholder leverage and outcomes in the prevention and control of cancer. It is important to create an evidence base that provides clear and specific guidance for health practitioners in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through involvement of all stakeholders. GHD can assist LMICs to negotiate across multilateral stakeholders to integrate prevention, treatment and palliative care of cancer into their commercial and trade policies.

COVID19 has yielded serious consequences globally, including severe damages to the economic, social, and health sectors around the world. The ensuing global crisis has created a strong realization among states that non-traditional security (NTS) threats such as pandemics and diseases do not discriminate between territorial boundaries. Hence, they cannot be dealt with in isolation, but rather by creating a mutual ground and impetus for coordination and collaboration within the international system. This research paper outlines the revival of global health diplomacy (GHD) as grounds for reforming multilateral global governance institutions under the umbrella of ‘human security.’ In doing so, it lists out key GHD initiatives during COVID19 by both state and non-state actors, while highlighting the need for continued collaboration in the post-pandemic recovery phase. Additionally, the present study takes the case of Pakistan, a developing state with extremely fragile health and economic...

Simplified drug regimens may improve retention in care for persons with chronic diseases. In April 2013, South Africa adopted a once-daily single-pill human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment regimen as the standard of care, replacing a multiple-pill regimen. Because the regimens had similar biological efficacy, the shift to single-pill therapy offered a real-world test of the impact of simplified drug-delivery mechanisms on patient behavior. Using a quasi-experimental regression discontinuity design, we assessed retention in care among patients starting HIV treatment just before and just after the guideline change. The study included 4,484 patients starting treatment at a large public sector clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. The share of patients prescribed a single-pill regimen increased by over 40 percentage points between March and April 2013. Initiating treatment after the policy change was associated with 11.7-percentage-points' higher retention at 12 months (95% confidence interval: -2.2, 29.4). Findings were robust to different measures of retention, different bandwidths, and different statistical models. Patients starting treatment early in HIV infection-a key population in the test-and-treat era-experienced the greatest improvements in retention from single-pill regimens.

India has always been the embodiment of cultural heritage and stands tall as a testament to the resilience and diversity of its true multicoloured culture and traditions. India's extensive cultural heritage, ranging from the profound spiritual teachings of ancient texts such as the Vedas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana, to the intricate artistry of classical dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathakali, as well as diverse religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, has collectively woven a rich tapestry of history, tradition, and innovation. India has harnessed its rich cultural heritage for centuries to constructively cultivate and fortify relationships with neighboring and other nations. A deep, longstanding cultural and historical bond connects India to the countries of South and Southeast Asia, stemming from ancient trade networks, religious interactions, and cultural exchanges. The paper serves as an introduction to various aspects related to India's culture-based foreign policy in South and Southeast Asia.

Biobanks have been heralded as essential tools for translating biomedical research into practice, driving precision medicine to improve pathways for global healthcare treatment and services. Many nations have established specific governance systems to facilitate research and to address the complex ethical, legal and social challenges that they present, but this has not lead to uniformity across the world. Despite significant progress in responding to the ethical, legal and social implications of biobanking, operational, sustainability and funding challenges continue to emerge. No coherent strategy has yet been identified for addressing them. This has brought into question the overall viability and usefulness of biobanks in light of the significant resources required to keep them running. This review sets out the challenges that the biobanking community has had to overcome since their inception in the early 2000s. The first section provides a brief outline of the diversity in biobank...

Questo documento presenta una critica approfondita e un accorato appello contro il diritto di veto in seno al Consiglio di Sicurezza delle Nazioni Unite, qualificato come un "privilegio assassino". Sostiene che questo potere assoluto, detenuto dai cinque membri permanenti (P5), ha sistematicamente ostacolato l'azione internazionale, portando a catastrofiche conseguenze umanitarie, in particolare durante i genocidi in Ruanda e a Srebrenica, così come nelle crisi siriana, palestinese (Gaza) e ucraina.

L'autore denuncia l'ipocrisia dei P5 e propone un "memoriale" ai popoli sacrificati dall'inazione dovuta al veto. Il documento esplora come sarebbe stato il mondo senza questo diritto e invita a giudicare le potenze per le loro responsabilità. In conclusione, esso perora l'istituzione di una "Nuova Organizzazione delle Nazioni Unite Democratica" (NONUD), un quadro istituzionale alternativo fondato sulla legittimità, l'etica e la funzionalità, per una governance mondiale più giusta e responsabile.

Dilin tarixi xalqın tarixidir. Bir xalqın tarixini, uzaq keçmişini öyrənmək üçün mütləq onun dilinə, qədim şifahi və yazılı abidələrinə müraciət etmək lazım gəlir. Azərbaycan dilinin də tarixi onun yazılarında daşlaşmış sözlərdə yaşayır. Azərbaycan dili zəngin leksik, morfoloji, sintaktik quruluşa malikdir. Sifətlərin tarixi inkişafı, dərəcələrin tarixən keçdiyi yol, dəyişmələr dilimizdə tarixən sifətlərin, onun dərəcələrinin zəginliyindən xəbər verir. Sifətin tarixi inkişafını izləyərkən müşahidə edirik ki, qədim türk dilində rəng anlamlı bir sıra sözlər, həm də cəhət mənasında işlənmişdir: ağ və sarı cənub; qara şimal; qızıl (qırmızı) qərb; göy şərq. Qara, qırmızı, göy, ağ, sarı türk mənşəli bəzi sifətlər ilkin mənasını itirərək yeni məna qazanmışdır. Məsələn, qızıl sözü yazılı abidələrimizdə daha çox qırmızı mənasında işlənmişdir. Bunu biz bir neçə dilçi-alimin müqayisələrində müşahidə edə bilərik. Məqalədə Ə.

Though the origin of the term 'Soft power' is associated with the contemporary American thinker Joseph Nye, a more intense notion of soft power can be traced back to ancient India. Starting from the age of Kautilya, India has had a long tradition of soft power policy. With an initial subdued performance till the 1990s India larked high with its soft power policy. But the breakthrough came in 2014 when all the SAARC leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony of the Indian Prime Minister. India recouped its charismatic leadership under the reign of Modi who went astray after Nehru. India's soft power diplomacy under Modi has extended its outreach not only to the immediate but also to extended neighborhoods through spiritualism, yoga, Indian culture, sculptures; diaspora policy, and very recently vaccine diplomacy. Strained out from multiculturalism, the Indian notion of unity in diversity has outshined than before. However, religious dogmatism and communal discordance have severely hampered India's cultural pluralism at the global level. The two terms of Modi are significantly important as the party under Modi has been committed to reorienting its foreign policy through integrated soft power diplomacy. The paper aims to analyze the growth of India's soft power in terms of Prime Minister

The COVID-19 pandemic, Ebola outbreaks marked a turning point in Africa’s public health policy, exposing deep structural vulnerabilities in health systems and catalysing unprecedented regional cooperation. In response, the African Union (AU) has embarked on a paradigm shift toward health sovereignty and continental solidarity.

This paper draws on AU policy documents, institutional decisions and declarations, and implementation plans reports from 2020 to 2024. It uses policy analysis and trend review methodologies to distil five major directions shaping the AU’s future health agenda.

Five interlinked trends define the AU’s evolving approach to health governance: (1) investment in local vaccine production, (2) people-centered community health systems, (3) institutional consolidation under Africa CDC and AMA, (4) digital and data-driven health transformation, and (5) growing political
leadership and domestic investment in health. These trends reflect a new public health order based on regional autonomy, solidarity, and evidence-driven leadership.

For the AU’s public health paradigm to be sustained and scaled, institutional governance, financing, market reform, and leadership development must be systematically strengthened. Coordinated actions between the AU, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and Member States, backed by clear accountability frameworks, will be essential to achieving long-term resilience and equity in Africa’s health systems.

The Upanishad principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, translating to "The World as One Family," encapsulates India's enduring vision of global unity, peace, and harmony. Rooted in spiritual inclusivity, this philosophy serves as the foundation of India's cultural diplomacy and soft power, fostering cooperation and interconnectedness in a globalized world. The objective of this paper is to explore how India applies the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam-"The World as One Family"-in addressing global challenges. Through selected examples such as India's humanitarian assistance during the Turkey-Syria earthquake (Operation Dost) and the Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, the paper aims to examine how this ancient principle shapes India's role in global crises. The study will highlight how India's cultural diplomacy, guided by Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, promotes global unity, peace, and collective well-being, offering actionable insights for strengthening India's influence on the global stage. Through thematic analysis of India's cultural diplomacy initiatives, particularly on social media platforms, the study emphasizes the philosophy's potential to advance equity, sustainability, and global interconnectedness. Additionally, the paper underscores the transformative power of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam in promoting collective well-being, advocating for actionable strategies to enhance India's global influence. By challenging global inequalities and emphasizing the need for inclusive development, the study calls for a reimagining of progress that aligns with the principles of compassion, shared responsibility, and environmental sustainability. Ultimately, this research reaffirms the enduring relevance of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam as a guiding principle for global peace, urging its practical application to build a harmonious and sustainable future amidst contemporary challenges, while positioning India as a leader in promoting universal brotherhood.

During the past 15 years, scholars have analyzed the structure and nature of intergovernmental relations in a diversity of social policy sectors. Attention is now focused on the mechanisms by which governments interact to develop public health policy. This focus is on governance in public health policy. The nature and success of the multi-sectoral response to public health issues have accelerated debate on the need for either major legislative or structural reform of the public health system (Ståhl & Lahtinen, 2006). In this paper, we would like to present a focus on the strategy of the inter-sectoral cooperation and the role of the Portuguese National Health Plan in policymaking. Some of the questions we would like to answer are:

The unprecedented globalization of trade, travel, climate change, protectionism, and geopolitical populism, as well as pandemic health threats are no longer issues for a single nation. In the field of public health, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) offers immense opportunities for partnership and collective actions involving multiple countries to combat globalization-linked infectious and/or chronic diseases, emerging pandemics, and outbreaks of potential threats to both laboratory information management systems and health information management. The national and global health challenges have increasingly proved that economic prosperity cannot be achieved when huge knowledge and capacity gaps exist in health systems. There is thus a need for public health initiatives aimed at strengthening the health systems beyond sovereign borders to influence global geo-economics. We highlight situational insights that offer approaches and strategies for increasing public health investment and capacity development in the countries along the Belt and Road, enhancing public and global health cooperation alongside participation in disease control and elimination, promoting public health governance and data sharing for pandemic threats, and building shared values and benefits in public health through Sino-African cooperation and the BRI. Our approach also examines the values of the China's BRI in relation to public health, projections and initiatives for increasing new investment and development capacity in public health systems, and enhanced public and global health cooperation and participation toward the BRI's framework and scope.

There are global concerns in the dissemination and transmission dynamics of emerging and
reemerging infectious diseases and the underlying features of gain-of-function research and
geopolitics within and across borders. These concerns have become pertinent in the management
of local and global health because the disease is perspicuously a geopolitical issue ostensibly
linked to gain-of-function research where health diplomacy focuses on the present and future global
emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, pandemics, and microbiome variants. These
have generated vehement reactions with a propensity for extreme geopolitics and gain-of-function
natural and anthropogenic activities. Geopolitical parameters and gain-of-function issues impact
the social determinants of health and vice versa. The convening and convergence of countries for
unprecedented epidemic or pandemic treaty settings or other formulations to confront emerging and
reemerging infectious diseases will afford considerable opportunities concerning challenges in action, preparedness, and response. Provisions are pertinent for legal instruments, effective and efficient systems to curb future threats and outbreaks of infectious diseases. outbreaks of infectious diseases and COVID-19. Although gain-of-function research enables testing of new scientific theories, development of novel technologies, discoveries, and targets for the treatment of infectious diseases, it is a territory to be treated with caution.

Public health diplomacy addresses global challenges impacting societies, economies, the environment, and health by integrating foreign policy and development. The University of Memphis School of Public Health hosted a multistakeholder summit to identify strategies and competencies essential for effective public health diplomacy. A 3-day summit included 29 participants from 15 countries, representing the WHO, the World Federation of United Nations, and seven regional public health associations. An iterative human-centered design (HCD) approach and concept mapping were employed to facilitate discussions and generate actionable

During the past 15 years, scholars have analyzed the structure and nature of intergovernmental relations in a diversity of social policy sectors. Attention is now focused on the mechanisms by which governments interact to develop public health policy. This focus is on governance in public health policy. The nature and success of the multi-sectoral response to public health issues have accelerated debate on the need for either major legislative or structural reform of the public health system (Ståhl & Lahtinen, 2006). In this paper, we would like to present a focus on the strategy of the inter-sectoral cooperation and the role of the Portuguese National Health Plan in policymaking. Some of the questions we would like to answer are:

economic growth remains a central concern for policymakers and global scholars, especially in the context of pandemics like covid-19. this study delves into the multifaceted growth issues in the BiMStec region. drawing from empirical evidence, this study identifies significant factors influencing economic growth, including landlockedness, corruption and political crises. landlockedness has a negative impact on economic growth. corruption acts as grease in the wheel, while political crises hamper the economic growth rate in the pandemic era. these findings are robust under random effect models. the synthesis of this study focuses on accelerating good governance, providing coastal access to landlocked states and implementing free trade agreements to stimulate regional economic growth.

Global governance has significant value in shaping the international order, maintaining cooperation among states and managing global concerns through collective decision-making. The G20, as an intergovernmental organization, marks its importance in the global governance architecture. India assumed the presidency of the G20 when global governance was running into severe instabilities. India's G20 presidency adopted the light of the "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (VK), or 'One Earth, One Family, One Future' vision, which defines "the world as a mother, and all the nations are like a family". This paper aims to analyse the impact of India's G20 presidency on the global governance system. This study adopts a qualitative and analytical approach to examine India's G20 presidency and its role in shaping global governance under the guiding philosophy of VK. The study finds that the G20 presidency of India has played an important role in shaping tenets of global governance.

The implementation of the agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in Africa broadly, and in the East and southern Africa (ESA) region in particular, signals a new chapter in the narrative of regional integration on the continent and a milestone towards achieving the long-standing aspirations enshrined in the Abuja Treaty of 1991. The agreement, which was adopted and signed on 21 March 2018, and entered into force on 30 May 2019, establishes a free trade area among African countries, where 90% of trade in goods between them will move across borders on preferential terms. As one of the key areas for health diplomacy within the African continent, the AfCFTA poses opportunities and challenges for both health and the health sector. The effects may be positive stimulating new production and intra-regional trade, but they may also be negative as in liberalising trade in harmful or substandard products and loss of public revenue. It may also impact equity in the distribution of benefits, capacities and personnel as well as in the health sector.

This review paper examines the growing implications of China's engagement in shaping innovative national initiatives against infectious diseases and poverty control and elimination in African countries. It seeks to understand the factors and enhancers that can promote mutual and innovative health development initiatives, and those that are necessary in generating reliable and quality data for evidence-based contextual policy, priorities and programs. We examined the China-Africa health cooperation in supporting global health agenda on infectious diseases such as malaria, schistosomiasis, Ebola, TB, HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prevention, control and elimination spanning a period of 10 years. We reviewed referenced publications, global support data, and extensive sources related to and other emerging epidemics and infectious diseases of poverty, programs and interventions, health systems development issues, challenges, opportunities and investments. Published literature in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Books and web-based peer-reviewed journal articles, government annual reports were assessed from the first Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in November 2006 to December 2015 Third Ministerial conferences. Results: Our findings highlight current shared public health challenges and emphasize the need to nurture, develop and establish effective, functional and sustainable health systems capacity to detect and respond to all public health threats and epidemic burdens, evidence-based programs and quality care outcomes. China's significant health diplomacy emphasizes the importance of health financing in establishing health development commitment and investment in improving the gains and opportunities, importantly efficiency and value health priorities and planning. Strengthening China-Africa health development agenda towards collective commitment and investment in quality care delivery, effective programs coverage and efficiency, preparedness and emergency response is needed in transforming African health information systems, and local health governance structures and management in emerging epidemics. Furthermore, innovative evidence of operational joint solutions and strategies are critical in advancing healthcare delivery, and further enhancing Universal Health Care, and Sustainable Development Goals to attain global health improvements and economic prosperity.

Yumuşak güç ve kamu diplomasisi, devletlerarası ilişkilerde başvurulan bir dış politika yaklaşımıdır. Savaş ve yaptırımlara dayalı sert güç kullanımından farklı olarak değişik kültür çevresiyle ve topluluklarla kurulan iletişim biçimi diplomasinin işleyişine yönelik böyle bir politik kurguda belirleyici kriterlere sahiptir. Eğitim, kültür ve tarih tecrübesinin ön plana çıkarılması, insani dış politika perspektifinin ortak çıkarlarla bütünleştirilmesi ve gündem oluşturmada yakınlaştırıcı benzerliklerden yararlanılması bu kriterler arasındadır. Temel politika beklentisi, zorlayıcı baskı araçlarının yerine iki taraflı diplomasinin dostluğa dayalı karşılıklı çıkarlarına önem vermektir. Bu bakış açısı eğitim ve kültür diplomasinin sunduğu verilerin dış politika yaklaşımıyla bağdaştırılmasını gerektirir. Balkanlar ve Arnavutluk ise Türkiye'nin genel dış politika kapsamını belirleyen bütüncül panoramada dikkate değer iyi uygulama örneklerini temsil etmektedir.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed a series of global, political, economic, and
cultural transformations that have reshaped the landscape of international relations.
This essay delves into the multifaceted effects of COVID-19 on international
relations, analyzing its global, political, economic, and cultural dimensions. The
pandemic's unprecedented nature has compelled nations to reevaluate their
approaches to governance, diplomacy, trade, and cultural exchanges, leading to
significant shifts in the dynamics of international relations.
On a global scale, COVID-19 has exposed the vulnerabilities and interdependencies
of nations, emphasizing the need for global cooperation and solidarity. The
pandemic has highlighted the importance of multilateralism, with international
organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) playing a crucial role in
coordinating responses and promoting collective action. The crisis has forced
countries to reassess their place in the global order and rethink their approaches to
global governance, shaping the future landscape of international relations. From a
political perspective, the pandemic has tested the leadership and governance
capacities of nations. Governments have faced unprecedented challenges in
managing the crisis, implementing policies, and balancing public health with sociopolitical considerations. The political responses to the pandemic have varied,
revealing strengths and weaknesses in domestic political systems and influencing
global perceptions of leadership. The crisis has also sparked debates on the
relationship between civil liberties, emergency powers, and the protection of public health.
Economically, COVID-19 has unleashed widespread disruptions and uncertainties. The
pandemic has caused a significant downturn in global economies, with profound
implications for international trade, investment, and economic cooperation. Travel
restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and lockdown measures have resulted in a decline
in international trade volumes, while protectionist measures and trade barriers have
strained global economic relations. The crisis has prompted nations to rethink their
economic strategies, with an emphasis on diversification, resilience, and the
reconfiguration of supply chains. In terms of culture, COVID-19 has upended traditional
modes of cultural exchanges, interactions, and diplomacy. The closure of borders,
cancellation of events, and social distancing measures have posed challenges to crosscultural understanding and dialogue. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of
virtual platforms for cultural diplomacy and the dissemination of artistic expressions.
Moreover, the crisis has exposed cultural fault lines, leading to the rise of stereotypes,
discrimination, and the need to promote inclusivity and tolerance.
This essay aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the global, political, economic,
and cultural effects of COVID-19 on international relations, shedding light on the
transformative shifts that have occurred as a result of the pandemic. By examining
these dimensions, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges,
opportunities, and implications for international relations in the post-pandemic era.

This study is an evaluation of the impact of Education Digital Awareness Mission (E-DAM) an initiative of the Government of Kerala with the objective of achieving Digital literacy among the common people in the state and launched in the constituency of Thaliparambu in kannur district.Data published in the website of E-DAM for 9 Panchayats having sample size of population as 50,098 members. The study explores the demographics of participants, training sessions and, program reach to measure E-DAM success in facilitating detainees gain digital literacy. The data correspond to 50,098 learners in 2,788 batches and 1,033 trainers across the Panchayats. Taking a look at its impact on digital literacy levels, the results show almost 60 percent improvement due to E-DAM in Kuttiattur (7361) and just over half that in Chapparapadavu (6048). Panchayats such as Thaliparambu (3244) and Malappattom (3009) speak for a better reach of out to the people and distribution as well. Throughout this experience having trainers and volunteers be a part of the program has been invaluable. While these must be considered successes, a lack of detailed demographic data and monthly progress reports highlights the need for further research to evolve digital literacy efforts. The findings in this study inform the impact of the program and recommendations for improving Kerala's digital literacy initiatives.

La Repubblica Democratica del Congo (RDC) è un paese ricco di paradossi. Da un lato, possiede alcune delle risorse naturali più preziose al mondo, tra cui litio, coltan, oro e cobalto, minerali essenziali per l'industria tecnologica globale. Dall'altro, è uno degli stati più instabili e violenti del pianeta, dove la ricchezza del sottosuolo alimenta conflitti armati, corruzione e sofferenza umana.

Developing countries like Guyana face unique challenges in ensuring drug supply safety due to limited resources, weak regulatory systems, and inadequate surveillance infrastructure. This paper presents a literature-based evaluation of drug safety oversight in Guyana. The evaluation identifies significant gaps and challenges within Guyana's regulatory agencies, including resource constraints, insufficient surveillance infrastructure, and enforcement weaknesses. Limited specific literature on Guyana highlights the need for empirical studies to assess the effectiveness of its drug regulatory systems. Through a systematic literature review, this study identifies key areas for improving drug safety oversight, emphasizing enhanced resource allocation, capacity-building initiatives, and robust regulatory frameworks. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening regulatory systems in developing countries to ensure public health and access to safe pharmaceuticals. This evaluation offers insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders involved in public health governance, facilitating evidence-based strategies to enhance drug safety oversight and regulatory effectiveness in Guyana.

The discursive strategies of travel journalism have garnered a good deal of academic interest. However, the focus as predominantly been on how Western, particularly British and American, travel journalism discursively constructs its others. What of travel journalism produced in non-western regions of the world? How does are cultural differences represent and how are specific practices of tourism promoted? This chapter explores these lines of enquiry in the context of Malaysian travel journalism. It focuses on online travel content produced in the country's three largest English language newspapers, the New Straits Times, The Star and the Malay Mail. Consideration is given to the ways in which these newspapers represent tourist destinations, both regional and Western tourist destinations. It finds that whilst established western representational practices tend to predominate, there are instances where distinctly Malaysian modes are deployed. This contributes to an understanding of how Malaysia constructs an image of itself in the context of global tourism. This is also revealing of distinctly Malaysian tourism practices and the ways in which established western discourses of aspiration, luxury, nature and primitivism are refigured for Malaysian readerships.

The 2024 G20 summit in Rio highlighted the growing influence of the Global South in reshaping global governance, addressing inequalities, and advocating for inclusive multilateralism. On November 18-19, Rio de Janeiro hosted the 2024 G20 Leaders' Summit, a critical moment for shaping global governance amid a shifting world order. With the official inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member and the rising influence of nations like Brazil, India, and South Africa, the Global South has never spoken louder in international forums.

For the past many years, India has emerged as a major provider of public goods and services such as healthcare, education, training, and providing scientific and technical support, especially in the neighborhood. The Covid-19 global response emphasized its 'Neighborhood First Policy'. India used SAARC as a forum to formulate a regional action plan to jointly

The concept of human security is increasingly accepted as being integral to contemporary notions of national security because of a growing awareness of the importance of individual and societal well-being to national, regional and global peace and stability. Health is thus considered an important component of the predominant vision of human security. However, the precise meaning and scope of global health security remains contested partly due to suspicions about clandestine motives underlying framing health as a security issue. Consequently, low and middle-income countries have not engaged global discourse on health security. This has resulted in an unbalanced global health security agenda shaped primarily by the interests of highincome countries. It narrowly focuses on a few infectious diseases, bioterrorism and marginalizes health security threats of greater relevance to low and middle-income countries. Focusing primarily on countries in the WHO-AFRO region (the African Group), this paper examines the implications of the participation deficit by the African Group of countries on their shared responsibility towards global health security. The potential benefits of regional health security cooperation are analyzed using selected critical health security threats in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). This paper concludes that the neglect of the African Group health security interests on the global health security agenda is partly due to their disengagement. Ensuring that multilateral health security cooperation includes the African Group's interests require that they participate in shaping the global health security agenda, as proposed in a putative SADC health security cooperation framework.

Global Health Diplomacy (GHD) can play a significant role in enhancing humanitarian action. When the term 'humanitarian action' is used, it refers to the assistance and protection provided to save lives and alleviate the suffering of populations hit by natural disasters and/ or living in situations of Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV) [1, 2]. When a context of FCV is compounded by factors such as poverty, food insecurity, climate shocks and public health emergencies, it can give rise to highly complex emergencies setting a 'perfect storm' [3, 4] of combined threats and vulnerabilities for the people affected.

This study explores China's robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic, employing health diplomacy and soft power strategies to boost international relations and global health outcomes. China's contributions to international organizations, investments in biotechnology, and provision of medical aid, underline its pivotal role in health diplomacy. The country's approach, encompassing the Health Silk Road and vaccine diplomacy, is viewed through the lens of Soft Power theory and Health Diplomacy Theory. It's revealed that China's initiatives, while offering valuable global health benefits, also strategically enhance its global influence and international relations. This paper offers policy recommendations and underscores the importance of international cooperation, equitable access to health interventions, and the embrace of digital health technologies.

Medical anthropologists have long located their work at sites of illness,
sickness, and disease, where people and their kin experience physical
and highly emotional states of discomfort brought on by social, political,
biological and environmental happenings. The collected papers in this
Anthropologica thematic edition focus on how powerful global assemblages
and political economies affect vaccine development, manufacture, regulation,
and distribution in early twenty-first-century neoliberal technoscience and
post-colonial cultures. This volume expands the social science scholarship
on vaccines beyond ethnographic contributions to clinical studies of their
pharmacological protective and therapeutic implications to reveal the global
logics of vaccine making.

W e have, for purposes of our Report, adopted the following definition of Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Ensuring equitable access for all Indian citizens, resident in any part of the country, regardless of income level, social status, gender, caste or religion, to affordable, accountable, appropriate health services of assured quality (promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative) as well as public health services addressing the wider determinants of health delivered to individuals and populations, with the government being the guarantor and enabler, although not necessarily the only provider, of health and related services. Our definition incorporates the different dimensions of universal health assurance: health care,which includes ensuring access to a wide range promotive, preventive, curative, and rehabilitative health services at different levels of care; health coverage, that is inclusive of all sections of the population, and health protection, that promotes and protects health through its social determinants. These services should be delivered at an affordable cost, so that people do not suffer financial hardship in the pursuit of good health. The foundation for UHC is a universal entitlement to comprehensive health security and an allencompassing obligation on the part of the State to provide adequate food and nutrition, appropriate medical care, access to safe drinking water, proper sanitation, education, health-related information, and other contributors to good health. It is our belief Recommendation 3.3.4: Establish District Health Knowledge Institutes (DHKIs). We propose the setting up of District Health Knowledge Institutes (DHKIs) in districts with a population of more than 500,000 in order to enhance the quality of health workers' education and training. These institutes should offer degree and diploma programmes, certificate courses, accreditation and standardized professional training. Their location, at the district level, should make them accessible to local candidates and facilitate uniformity in admissions, curricula and licensing. The DHKIs should address the severe shortage of educational infrastructure and provide the appropriate level of decentralisation of health care education. They should also ensure competency-based training to meet the health needs of local communities. Our recommendation echoes the proposal by the Bajaj Committee that advocated the creation of a "District Institute of Education and Training" to offer "integrated training modules." The DHKIs shall deliver integrated training for all health, nutrition and family welfare programmes. The proposed BRHC degree as well as bridge courses in rural health care should be housed in the DHKIs so that locally recruited personnel have opportunities for practicum placements at Sub-Health Centres. Local candidates from various districts should be supported through the reimbursement of tuitionfees and free accommodation. The DHKIs should also be the centre for training allied health professionals. Recommendation 3.3.5: Strengthen existing State and Regional Institutes of Family Welfare and selectively develop Regional Faculty Development Centres to enhance the availability of adequately trained faculty and faculty-sharing across institutions. Recommendation 3.3.7: Establish State Health Science Universities. We endorse the recommendation of the Bajaj Committee that in 1987 had recommended the establishment of Health Science Universities in states and in groups of Union Territories to award degrees in health sciences and prospectively add faculties of health management, economics, social sciences and b The Commission recommends that: 9.1 National governments, with civil society and donors, build health-care services on the principle of universal coverage of quality services, focusing on Primary Health Care 9.2 National governments ensure public sector leadership in health-care systems financing, focusing on tax-/insurance-based funding, ensuring universal coverage of health care regardless of ability to pay, and minimizing out of-pocket health spending 9.3 National governments and donors increase investment in medical and health personnel, balancing health-worker density in rural and urban areas 9.4 International agencies, donors and national governments address the health human resources brain-drain, focusing on investment in increased health human resources and training, and bilateral agreements to regulate gains and losses. 36 To contain costs, the health system bulk-purchases 25 Ravi P.

En Côte d'Ivoire, la problématique de la mise en oeuvre des politiques publiques de gratuité dans le secteur de la santé ne se fait pas sans obstacles. La communication politique et publique qui devrait assurer l'exécution d'un tel programme ne semble pas en phase avec l'offre de soins gratuits réellement proposée aux populations. En se fondant sur l'étude des politiques publiques et de leur réception par les populations ivoiriennes, cet article vise à décrire les réalités de l'application de cette politique de gratuité. À travers une méthode d'observation sur le terrain, une enquête qualitative d'entretien et d'analyse de documents institutionnels, il est apparu que des obstacles tant institutionnels, communicationnels, infrastructurels que humains entravent la mise en oeuvre effective de la gratuité des soins en Côte d'Ivoire. Des pratiques locales sont développées par certains agents de santé en plus d'une insuffisance de l'offre de santé et de l'offre de communication pour la santé. Au niveau des acteurs, il existe une absence de synergie d'action sur le plan de la communication. Malgré cette diversité des obstacles, nous proposons des mesures correctives, opérationnelles essentiellement sous l'angle communicationnel pour réduire des pratiques qui sont de nature à compromettre l'application rigoureuse de la gratuité des soins.

The study on Total Digital Literacy Initiatives investigates the educational and digital awareness mission that tries to narrow down digital divide through multiplying towards digital literacy among several demographic categories covering Thaliparambu Assembly Constituency in Kannur district, Kerala.The mission initiatives on providing democratic access to digital assets, enabling e-government services and increasing awareness for innovative technologies amongst the general public and those belonging from underprivileged social groups. Data collected from the official site (https://edam.kite.kerala.gov.in/) and were analyzed to examine how far this program reached, effectiveness of it and impact on digital skill based answering mode through quantitative approach (Web-based). Key successes of total digital literacy initiatives in Kerala have seen a high success rate so far where more than 50,000 learners have been enrolled across 2,618 training batches. This has lead to community engagement (supported by 2009 volunteers) and promotion of digital literacy in Panchayats too. Andoor panchayath had the most learner participation, while Kolacherry panchayath recorded the least number of registrations but that also provided us with valuable areas for targeted outreach. The data reveals that e-dam is an effective approach to foster digital skills, yet future activities are needed particularly in underserved areas for bridging the gap of digital divide. This structured approach by e-dam not only enables citizens to make their choices in technology but also supports and encourages them on adopting the same for their usage, including all necessary services at e-governance level. It has become a lesson for other areas consequent to the expansion of UAC in different parts like the Kozhikode district how digital literacy initiatives provide keys towards inclusive development of Kerala.

The article emphasizes the critical developments and agreements defining China and Azerbaijan's healthcare collaboration, highlighting the significant roles played by various institutions and governmental bodies. It delves into the enhancement of this partnership due to the COVID-19 pandemic, illustrating instances of mutual aid, cooperation, and the sharing of medical expertise. Additionally, the article explores the dynamics of post-pandemic cooperation, concentrating on the assimilation of traditional Chinese medicine into Azerbaijan's healthcare framework and the importance of cultural exchange in building international relationships.

This chapter compares Canada’s and France’s policies and practices regarding COVID-19 vaccines. It asks to what extent they advance domestic interests versus international ones and what the impact is on their influence in the world. The two countries both have a history of global health diplomacy and share a desire to play an important role on the world stage. The COVID pandemic provided them with an opportunity to exercise that commitment. Both countries quickly embraced, at the rhetorical level, the need to address the global crisis via multilateral channels, including to ensure an equitable distribution of vaccines. How they acted, however, differed considerably. The Canadian government took a strong “Canada First” position, in spite of verbal and some financial support for multilateral responses, and impeded patent waivers that would increase global vaccine production. By taking actions that would prolong the pandemic at the global level, Canada also behaved to the detriment of its global “soft power”. France, on the other hand, acted more multilaterally and strategically from the perspective of soft power, and reversed its initial self-interested position on intellectual property rights. We argue that Canada’s and, to a lesser extent, France’s domestic policy objectives undermined their global health diplomacy efforts and ultimately acted against their own interests, both in terms of health outcomes and being able to exercise influence in global affairs, especially in the Global South. By emphasizing approaches characterized by selfishness and charity, rather than equity and justice, they are also, along with their counterparts in the Global North, undermining the credibility of Northern aid donors more generally and the legitimacy of the aid regime.

The G20 summit is a unique opportunity for India to reinvigorate and realign its public health policies and enhance its role and influence in global health governance. India, as the world's most populous country and the fifth largest economy, has a vital stake and responsibility in addressing the health challenges and opportunities globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities and interdependencies of the global health system and highlighted the need for stronger cooperation and solidarity among countries. The G20 summit provides a platform for India to showcase its public health achievements, such as its remarkable vaccination drive, its universal health coverage scheme, its digital health initiatives, and its leadership in health diplomacy and research. It enables India to seek cooperation and support from other countries on health issues of common concern, such as ensuring equitable access to vaccines and therapeutics, strengthening health systems resilience and preparedness, promoting health innovation and research, and fostering health diplomacy and leadership. At the G20 summit, India recommends to take concrete actions such as advocating for a global treaty on pandemic preparedness, supporting a global health financing mechanism, enhancing W.H.O. 's role, and strengthening the G20's health agenda and governance.

The impact of infectious diseases is a real global phenomenon in the 21 st century buoyed by the accelerated pace of globalization which seem to dissolve the distinctions between; many domestic and foreign issues, regions and multinational actors, and even friendly and hostile states. The impact of infectious diseases on Kenya's health diplomacy calls for need to enhance public health partnerships to tackle such issues of international concern to effectively handle such diplomacy matters and timely. The study used qualitative study methodology by describing the context of Kenya's health diplomacy and employing available documents analysis. The study concluded that controlling emerging and reemerging infectious diseases require extreme actions and coordination between many national and international actors which Kenya and her international network of states must do through diplomacy.

Author(s): Brown, Matthew David | Advisor(s): Novotny, Thomas E. | Abstract: ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATIONApplied Health Diplomacy: Advancing the Science, Practice, and Tradecraft of Global Health Diplomacy to Facilitate More Effective Global Health ActionbyMatthew D. BrownDoctor of Philosophy in Public Health (Global Health)University of California, San Diego, 2016San Diego State University, 2016Professor Thomas E. Novotny, ChairGlobal Health Diplomacy (GHD) is a burgeoning field that bridges independent priorities in both global health and foreign affairs. Given the increasing need to mobilize the global community to respond to Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) such as Ebola or Zika, as well as forge new and expand existing collaborations to tackle public health challenges of mutual concern, effective and timely coordination and cooperation among actors is critical. Health Attaches are key diplomats who represent nation-states in these negotiations. Despite...

Threats to the health and well-being of populations around the globe are generally seen as necessitating the widespread deployment of modern technologies of surveillance and prevention, as well as new forms of global governance. As an important actor in this field, the World Health Organization (WHO) has seen its power rise and decline since its establishment in 1948. However, the atmosphere of uncertainty caused by the failure to find cures or preventive vaccines for some newly emerging diseases - indeed their very presence in the “modern world” – also provides the organization with an opportunity to strengthen its role in international health care matters. The Global Alert and Response System was established as an instrument for worldwide surveillance, and avian influenza offered an opportunity to test its workings. This paper looks into how the WHO has sought to enhance its global status in health care by constructing avian influenza as a pandemic risk, thereby paving the way for its latest surveillance system, GOARN, to contain pandemic threats.

                                                                                                                             
                                                                            Life gives teeth to you
                                                                            and takes them away again
                                                                            like leaves, like the birds.
                                                                                              Mary Philips, 2006