Global Health Diplomacy 2.0: Diplomacy as An Answer to the Global Health Puzzles

BANDUNG, Indonesia, Aug. 31, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Global health is supposed to be a global concern rather than individual business. But in general, either the government or its people often forget to put the global health issues into consideration. Hence, the solution of global health issues is still being scattered puzzles. As a resort to arrange those puzzles, the second Global Health Diplomacy (GHD 2.0) training in Grand Bidakara Savoy Homann Hotel, Bandung, Indonesia was commenced on25 August 2018.

GHD applicants' enthusiasm was over the cloud. OH Technical Officer INDOHUN, Professor Agus Suwandono stated that from more than 140 applicants, only 40 of them were chosen as GHD 2.0 participants.

Prof. Agus appraised that GHD this year is more proportionally held than the previous one, due to the more systematic organizing process and longer preparation period. The previous GHD experience also notably contributes to the smooth organization of this program, including participants selection, speakers and trainers' selection, and event organization.

During the first two days of training, the participants of GHD 2.0 were given public lectures by international speakers related to global health governance, health system, global health negotiation, health policy framework, global health leadership, health innovation in strengthening global health system, health advocacy, and diplomacy practice.

Dr. Aidil Chandra Salim, an expert from Indonesia's National Agency of Narcotics, who is also one of the GHD 2.0 speakers, shows a huge support for the commencement of GHD training, although he has already retired from the Ministry of Foreign Affair, "I think this Global Health Diplomacy training is a good event that makes the participants ready to face the global health issues. This training program is enriched with not only global health issues, but also with diplomacy and other aspects of international issues."

One of the speakers, Dr. Remco van de Pas from Maastricht Centre for Global Health, University of Maastricht, Netherland and Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp - Belgium, states, "I think it's very relevant for the students from different, several backgrounds to understand one health, the process of policies being made, and how it is being done across sectors, across different people, and how it is being done."

It syncs with M. Chandra W. Yuda's, Director of ASEAN Political-Security cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, statement during an interview in GHD 2.0, that in facing global challenges countries have to work together to ensure peace, security and prosperity around the globe: "It need commitment from all countries to make it works."

Dr. van de Pas also appreciates the participants' active and interest attitude to engage in the GHD 2.0 activities. He also highlights the importance of innovation and practice learning for health diplomacy in global arena, "The participants are coming from different fields. In this training, they are learning about what it means to come up with new policies especially for international arena. Although many of them has studied abroad, how it is translated into international policies is on another scale."

The training is continued with multi-stage negotiation simulation (MSNS) in the rest of the raining period. In MSNS sessions, the participants acted as delegations from various ASEAN countries that have different agendas, problems, and situations. The scenario began from the health problems outbreaks in multiple countries. They had to analyze any possible challenges and opportunities to mitigate the outbreaks and prevent it from spreading in the community, where the participants also needed to discuss the funding system and countries' joint agreement to alleviate the particular problem.

During MSNS, the activities were divided into plenary session, and private meetings in community of whole (COW) or bilateral meetings. Delegates were also given situations where the press would give statements and interviews related to the issue, so that they will also be trained in giving statements in interviews, press conferences, and preparing press releases. Agnia Jolanda Putri, Medical Doctor by training from Center of Health Policy and Management at Gajah Mada University states her excitement of participating in the MSNS, "MSNS was a great experience because we, as secretariat have a chance to explore the nuance and know the system on how MSNS works. It was very interesting on how MSNS could elaborate every person in the forum to deliver their messages, representing their countries."

Artauli Tobing, Indonesia Ambassador to Vietnam (2004-2007), who monitored the course of MSNS sessions states that the GHD 2.0 participants shows a great potential to be Indonesia's future leaders. Not only because of their fluency in English, but also their adaptability into diplomatic mode that creates diplomatic nuance during the training.

About 90% of the participants understand very well on how to make statements, how to react in fluent English, even though in reality they sometimes use words that may be less diplomatic. This is understandable, because diplomacy is not something they usually do.

"The participants show a great progress over the sessions. Although they started the MSNS in an awkward manner, as the time went by, they got a hang of it!" Tobing added.

She also shows her admiration towards the participants' efforts, "During the OCW activities which discussed various draft resolutions, it was seen the efforts of each participant representing the ASEAN countries in maintaining their positions. The participants could also fluently express their views without reservation or pretense."

For the closing ceremony on 29 August 2018, Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN) as GHD 2.0 organizer helda gala dinner, delegation inauguration, and an awarding night for the participants to celebrate the end of the training period. M. Chandra W. Yuda, as one of GHD 2.0 speakers advised the participants: "Enlarge your horizon, do your work, keep in touch, and learn from each other. You'll achieve what you dream for."

Media Contact:

Syayu Zhukhruffa
Communication Manager
Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN)
G Building 3rd Floor, Room G316
Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, West Java
phone/fax: +6221-29302084

Photo - https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20180831/2225772-1

SOURCE Indonesia One Health University Network (INDOHUN)