Second Session on Accelerating Solutions - The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in Responding to Pandemics

Meridian’s Global Health Program is a key cross-cutting initiative of the Meridian International Center that includes world affairs public briefings and conferences, U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Programs, and arts and cultural activities. This new program builds on Meridian’s 50-year history of facilitating international exchange and cooperation on critical issues. In today’s deeply interconnected world, global health concerns transcend national boundaries, and require international cooperation to achieve common solutions.

The quest for good health crosses cultures, politics, languages, and country borders, providing a framework for promoting international cooperation, exchange and progress. Today, 79% of people suffering from chronic diseases are found in the developing world, and the World Health Organization has reported 1,100 epidemics in the last five years alone. These problems have humanitarian, economic and national security implications that impact all nations. The Meridian Global Health Program’s activities are described below:

International Exchange and Health Diplomacy

Meridian is well known and respected for its 50-year history of bringing international visitors together around key issues of the day. Meridian regularly hosts delegations of health officials from around the world. In fiscal year 2007 and 2008 alone, Meridian supported 14 health-related international visitor programs, involving over 40 leaders from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Ukraine, Iran, and South America. These leaders visit important US federal and local health organizations in Washington DC and around the country, engaging in dialogue and knowledge exchange. The Program will also convene briefings for US Ambassadors on health initiatives and partnerships that might be implemented within their assigned country to harness health diplomacy as a foreign policy tool.

Conferences and Briefings

Meridian convenes conferences and briefings on critical issues including global health concerns facing our world today requiring international cooperation. Meetings with international leaders from government, the diplomatic, medical and scientific communities provide a forum for international exchange and dialogue to advance health worldwide. The Global Health Program will convene seminars and a conference series on Capitol Hill to include Members of Congress, staff, the diplomatic community, health organizations, businesses, media and other stakeholders on a broad spectrum of global health issues. Additionally, a Global Health Conversation Series with international leaders in medicine, global health, science, government, business, and foundations will be established. These conversations will be webcast for viewing by an international audience worldwide. To Read about Meridian’s latest Global Health Conference H1N1 Pandemic Preparedness: Strengthening International Collaboration and view videos, click here

The Meridian Global Engagement Forum: Highlighting Global Health

Through our partnership with the Gallup Organization, Meridian hosted a one-day action forum, The Meridian Global Engagement Forum on October 6, 2008, in which we examined key issues, including global health, that drive public perceptions and change. World leaders responded to the public opinion data in the world poll, and highlighted potential areas for cooperation, engagement and advancement. The Forum also looked at innovations in new media and the role that digital technologies are playing in engaging citizens around in the world and informing public opinion and how they might be applied to improve health. The exchange of ideas and best practices at the Forum formed the basis for ongoing online collaboration and networking in areas such as healthcare, job creation, energy and the environment, social networking and mobile technologies.

Global Health Film Series, Arts and Cultural Events

The Meridian International Center will host an International Film Series to highlight the power of cinema to educate about critical global health issues. The film screenings will be followed by panel discussions of experts to discuss critical health concerns highlighted in these movies and to motivate individuals and organizations to take action. Art and photography exhibits will also be used to illuminate important health and development issues worldwide.

Global Health Fellowship Program – The Meridian International Center will provide training opportunities for students interested in careers in global health through engagement in the activities of Meridian’s Global Health Program.

For more information about the Global Health Program, please contact:

Susan Blumenthal, MD
Chair, Global Health Program
202 939-5521