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What is global health diplomacy?

Global heath diplomacy is a new emerging interdisciplinary field, bridging public health and international affairs to coordinate global health action. It encompasses a wide variety of health issues and engages with all levels of government, civil society and the private sector, as well as collaborating with other non-health related sectors to solve complex global health problems.

Importance of Global Health Diplomacy

Global health diplomacy facilitates coordinated action to adapt to global health crisis and improve global health outcomes. This course will develop important skills that will allow its learners to improve and build capacity in global health diplomacy, both in Canada and globally.

Training in Global Health Diplomacy

The Centre for Global Health, Dalla Lana School of Public Health’s Executive Course in Global Health Diplomacy is back for a fifth year. In collaboration with the Office of International Affairs for the Health Portfolio, Government of Canada, this executive training course is the first-of-its-kind in Canada. Designed for professionals working in health or health-related sectors, this course will explore a wide range of global health diplomacy issues, with an emphasis on current affairs and urgent global health challenges, while offering a uniquely Canadian approach.

Applications are now open for the 2025 Executive Course in Global Health Diplomacy.

Download the Application Instructions Form for more details on how to apply.


The application deadline for Canadian / non-visa requiring applicants for the 2025 course is: Monday, November 18th, 2024 @ 11:59PM ET

Have more questions about the Executive course in Global Health Diplomacy? Email globalhealth.dlsph@utoronto.ca

About The Course

1. What skills will I learn?

    • By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
      • Articulate and analyze the theories and practices of global health diplomacy as it relates to COVID-19 and other current health issues
      • Apply diplomacy, negotiation, communication, and analytical skills to global health negotiations

2. Is there a past syllabus program I can review? 

  • An outline of the past Executive Course on Global Health Diplomacy program is available here: PROGRAM
  • This year’s course will be offered in hybrid format:  
    • Module 1: ONLINE | Foundations: Immersing into Global Health Diplomacy | April 2025 – May 2025 
    • Module 2: IN-PERSON | Application: Diplomatic Skill-building | Tuesday June 3 – Thursday June 5th,  2025

3. Am I required to attend the in-person module, or can I participate virtually? 

  • Travel to Toronto in June for module 2 is required for all accepted participants in order to complete the course.

4. What if I require a visa to be allowed entry into Canada for the purpose of this course? 

5. Will certificates be provided?

    • A Certificate of Completion in Executive Development will be provided to participants.

6. Who can I contact if I have more questions:   

Prospective Learners

1. Who should take the course?

      • The course is designed for professionals working in health or health-related sectors, such as:
        • Diplomats, policy advisors, managers and leaders working in government
        • Professionals working in health, international relations, economics, management, international law, security, or whose portfolios intersect with global health
        • Professionals working for NGOs, philanthropic organizations, the private sector, academia & multilateral organizations
        • Professionals in cross-disciplines interested in learning more about linkages to global health

2. Do I need a background in global health?

    • A background in health or global health is not a prerequisite to participate in the course. Although the course will be touching upon issues related to global health, the primary intent of the course is to better understand the place of health in negotiations and to build the skills required to engage in cross-sectoral dialogue on an international level.

3. Are there language requirements?

    • While course content and discussions will be delivered in English, additional support/assistance can be provided by course Directors and Coordinators for attendees wishing to receive clarification in French, Spanish, German, Portuguese and Russian.

Registration

1. Important Dates and deadlines

REGISTRATION OPENS Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
APPLICATION DEADLINE

International / applicants requiring visas

Date: Deadline has now passed

Domestic / applicants who don’t require a visa

Date: Monday, November 18th, 2024

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS NOTIFIED BEFORE

International & visa requiring applicants 

Date: Wednesday, November 13th, 2024

Domestic & non-visa requiring applicants 

Date: Wednesday, January 8th, 2025

2. How do I apply? 

  1. Application information (listed in Application Instructions Form) 
  2. Expression of Interest Statement (300-500 words) 
  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)  

3. What is the registration fee for the course?

  • Registration for the course is $1,400 CAD, including HST. Tuition fees include online and in-person course materials, teaching expenses, and hospitality costs.  

4. Does the registration fee cover my travel expenses for the in-person module? 

  • No – tuition does NOT cover participant costs associated with travel to the course in-person module (e.g., travel to/from Toronto, accommodations in Toronto, travel/health/personal insurances, etc.). In-person expenses are self-funded by participants.  

5. Is there Financial Assistance provided?

    • A small number of subsidies are available to participants with demonstrated financial need (e.g., students, participants residing in a low- and middle-income country). Applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance should indicate this in their application package and are encouraged to contact globalhealth.dlsph@utoronto.ca directly for further information.   
      • Participants awarded financial assistance will have their course registration fee waived.
      • Please note all course participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses to attend module 2 (e.g., travel to/from Toronto, accommodations, ground transportation, meals, etc.)

Global Health Diplomacy News & Updates

Podcast Series: Part 1

Why You Should Care About Global Health Diplomacy | ft. Dr. Garry Aslanyan, Manager of Partnerships and Governance at the WHO TDR

Podcast Series: Part 2

Working Within The Complexities Of Global Health | ft. Dr. Garry Aslanyan, Manager of Partnerships and Governance at the WHO TDR

A coherent global health strategy would help Canada lead in the world

Bringing the skills of a diplomat to global health challenges

Framing diplomacy through a health lens

Teaching the Art of Diplomacy in Public Health

Canada needs to beef up its global health diplomacy

The politics of public health: U of T offers novel course in diplomacy for public health professionals

U of T Offers Groundbreaking Training in Diplomacy for Public Health Professionals

Global Health Diplomacy Resources

Global Health Diplomacy Discussion Panel featuring Ilona Kickbusch and discussants Joel Lexchin and Mark Brender, who explored how countries engaged in global health diplomacy on the world stage (June 2023).

“Public Health Diplomacy” Podcast

Public Health Diplomacy by EN-SURE HEALTH (spotify.com)

“Global Health Matters” podcast:

Available at: https://tdr.who.int/global-health-matters-podcast. Specific episodes related to global health diplomacy include:

  • Episode 31: Geopolitics of global health – part 1 & 2
  • Episode 23: Decolonization, localization and WHO – History matters part 1

“Healthy Cities in the SDG Era” podcast:

Available at: https://healthycitiesinthesdgera.buzzsprout.com/. Specific episodes related to global health diplomacy include:

  • Episode 6: Global Health Diplomacy

Oxford annotated bibliography guide:

Global Health Diplomacy – Public Health – Oxford Bibliographies

Healthy Cities in the SDG Era podcast – episode with Ilona Kickbusch and Srikanth Kondreddy:

Global Health Diplomacy (buzzsprout.com)

 

Contact Us

For additional information please contact the Centre for Global Health at globalhealth.dlsph@utoronto.ca