Coming Soon
18th July 2025, In Kigali, Rwanda
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Background
Global Health Focus (GHF) is an international initiative dedicated to developing critical thinkers, leaders, researchers, and innovators in global health. We focus on research capacity building and the creation of knowledge for translation into global health policy and practice. We have built a robust network of young leaders and researchers across Africa and Asia, who are now collaborating with international organizations, spearheading global health initiatives, and publishing in top journals through the mentorship we provide.
Our journey began in 2015 with a global health certificate course at the University of Rwanda in Kigali, targeting students and early-career professionals from East and Central Africa. This initiative has since evolved into the highly successful Global Health Emerging Leaders Programme (GHELP), with courses conducted in 30 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. Over 5,000 individuals have directly or indirectly benefited from these programs.
To mark our 10th anniversary of impact, we will host a one-day Global Health Youth Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. This event will serve as a platform to bring together our alumni, young healthcare leaders, and distinguished partners and stakeholders in the global health sector. The conference will facilitate discussions on pressing health issues and foster innovative strategies to address global health inequities.
Thematic Overview
The conference is themed “The Role of Young People in Advancing Global Health Outcomes: Education, Research, and Leadership.” It will spotlight the pivotal role of young people in shaping the future of global health, particularly in a post-pandemic world where innovation and resilience are crucial.
Globally, young people aged 15–24 represent nearly 1.2 billion individuals, or 16% of the world’s population, and their contributions to healthcare innovation and leadership are increasingly recognized. Young leaders are at the forefront of educational initiatives, conducting transformative research, leading impactful projects, and developing innovative healthcare solutions. Over the past decade, youth-led initiatives have played a significant role in advancing the global health agenda. For instance, youth involvement in public health responses during the COVID-19 pandemic helped reach underserved communities, while others contributed innovatively to mitigating the spread and impact of the virus. Through mentorship provided by GHF, young people made significant contributions to advancing the COVID-19 evidence base across Africa.
The discussions will focus on how empowering and supporting young leaders can unlock their potential to drive advancements in global health. Conversations will explore how leadership development, education, research, and innovation work in synergy to equip young people and maximize their impact. By providing the necessary tools to harness their energy, creativity, and vision, they will be better equipped to address pressing global challenges such as health inequities, climate change, and access to care. This is essential to achieving a healthier and more equitable world.
Additionally, the conference will highlight how structured mentorship, capacity-building programs, and cross-sectoral collaboration can support young people in becoming influential global health leaders and agents of change.
Organization and Structure
The conference will feature a keynote address highlighting youth-driven contributions to global health. There will be two plenary sessions bringing together young global health leaders and experienced professionals to explore the intersection of leadership, education, and research.
A key feature of the conference is the Collaborative Dialogue Session, which will provide attendees with an opportunity to share their vision for advancing global health equity. Selected participants will present their ideas, and discussions will be facilitated to explore challenges, required resources, and actionable strategies for implementation. This session aims to foster collective problem-solving and engagement, ensuring that health equity is not just a goal but a definite reality.
The conference will take place at the Park Inn by Radisson in Kigali, Rwanda, on July 18, 2025.
The registration fee for the conference is $100.
The first keynote address, “Empowering Youth for Global Health Equity,” will spotlight the transformative role of youth in advancing global health equity. It will emphasize how empowering young leaders can drive innovative solutions and create impactful change, addressing pressing health disparities and fostering a more equitable healthcare landscape worldwide. A case study will be presented, drawing from a decade of GHF’s work with young leaders to advance global health leadership, education, research, and innovation.
The panel session, "Transforming Education and Research for Global Health Equity," will explore how innovative educational approaches and cutting-edge research can drive progress towards global health equity. It will feature discussions on emerging trends, e ective strategies, and collaborative e orts that are reshaping the landscape of global health education and research, aiming to address health disparities and promote sustainable solutions worldwide.
The Collaborative Dialogue session will invite attendees to submit their vision for advancing global health equity online across five themes: Leadership, Practice, Policy, Education, and Innovation. The most voted submission from each theme will be invited to share their perspective. A moderator will guide the discussion, exploring the challenges and key resources required to realize that vision, both locally and globally. The conversation will then be opened to the audience, fostering collective brainstorming and actionable strategies. The session aims to empower attendees with practical insights and collaborative solutions to advance global health equity.
The panel session, “Harnessing the Vision and Energy of Young People for Leadership and Innovation in Global Health,” will explore how employing the vision and energy of young people in leadership and innovation can drive transformative global health outcomes. By empowering the next generation of leaders to take on pivotal roles and introduce innovative ideas, we can address critical health challenges, accelerate progress toward health equity, and create sustainable solutions that impact communities worldwide.
Expected Outcomes
The conference will empower young leaders with the knowledge, skills, and networks to drive transformative change in global health. Through collaborative discussions, participants will develop actionable strategies to address health disparities, foster innovation, and influence policy and advocacy e orts. Insights from the collaborative dialogue and panel sessions will be published in scientific journals, contributing to academic and policy discourse. By emphasizing youth-driven leadership, education, research, and innovation, the conference will shape future global health initiatives and create lasting impact.
Prof. Don Prisno
Founder, Global Health Focus (GHF)
Keynote Speech: Empowering youth for global health equity
Philippines
Esther Mukami Wahome
Research Consultant, AMPATH Kenya
Panel: Transforming Education and Research for Global Health Equity
Kenya
Prof. Nobhojit Roy
Chair, Centre for Leadership in Global Health Equity UGHE
Panel: Transforming Education and Research for Global Health Equity
Rwanda
Yusuff Adebayo Adebisi
Director of Research and Thought Leadership, Global Health Focus
Panel: Transforming Education and Research for Global Health Equity
Nigeria
Jerico B. Ogaya
National Program Manager GHF University Excellence
Panel: Transforming Education and Research for Global Health Equity
Philippines
Dr. Adriana Viola Miranda
Director of Program and Monitoring, Evaluation & Research, 1000 Days Fund
Panel: Empowering youth for global health equity
Indonesia
Dr. Salsawit Tesfaye Yigrem
Co-founder and CEO Innoheza Ltd.
Panel: Empowering youth for global health equity
Rwanda
Zhinya Kawa Othman
Pharmacist, Digital Health Researcher and Instructor
Panel: Empowering youth for global health equity
Iraq
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