Policy Engagements

Our current policy work is centred on contributing to the ongoing dialogue on what a reformed international ecosystem for health could look like. We call this workstream Paradigm Shifts for Global Health - Supporting Diplomacy and Policy Pathways.

About our engagements

This workstream is not a standalone initiative or process, but a means through which we engage as both originators and conveyors of ideas as well as a source of concrete proposals on the pathways to change. Alongside sharing our reflections and ideas through policy briefs, Op-eds and seminars, we support and provide insights to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden to assist and inform their positions on global health reforms. 

Our latest insights and assessment of the ongoing global health reform discussions, trends and perspectives is available here. 

We also share reflections on particularly influential contributions to the reform discourse. Our comment on writing by Pate, Kaberuka and Piot on Transforming the Global Health Ecosystem can be accessed here. 

Four paradigm shifts guiding our work

Our work is underpinned by four paradigm shifts, described below and in a publication in The Lancet.

  1. Shifts in the issues affecting people’s health from infectious to non-communicable diseases, and toward environmental and commercial determinants of health
  2. Shifts in power from global institutions to regional and national levels, including a redefining of what functions should be delivered by the global level
  3. Shifts in design from a complex, fragmented and competitive system to a modernized and simplified one, with fewer institutions and clearer mandates
  4. Shifts in financing from an aid-based paradigm to domestic financing and self-sufficiency, while securing sustainable financing of global functions

Based on these shifts, we focus on three main topic areas relevant for advancing a fit for purpose international ecosystem for health: 

  1. Defining the essential global functions of a future international ecosystem for health
  2. Accelerating immediate reforms to streamline the current landscape of global health institutions in line with evolving health priorities
  3. Supporting the transition to domestic health financing and securing the future financing of global functions, looking beyond international development assistance 

We welcome collaboration and dialogue with other academic institutions as well as the private sector, civil society and governments. We are also open to research collaboration. We particularity interested in partnering with colleagues in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. 

For further information please contact Martin Jeppsson Campana martin.jeppsson.campana@ki.se 

Our work is structured around Analysis, Engagement, Ideation and Communication.
Photo: KI/SSE

How we work

Our work is structured around four interconnected and mutually reinforcing elements:  

Analyse - Understanding & sense making of the current discourse in global health by building on diverse inputs including direct engagements with stakeholders, the academic literature, think-tank publications, multilateral processes and country- and regional initiated initiatives.  

The key processes and insights we are following include: 

  1. Regional and country-initiated processes: The Accra Rest and SUSTAIN initiative; The EC/INTPA reflections; Durban Promise; US ‘America First’ Strategy
  2. Institutional reforms: Gavi Leap; Global Fund reforms; Gavi-Global Fund joint work; WHO (internal reforms); UNAIDS sunsetting
  3. Multilateral processes for global health: WHO EB process; G20 health working group
  4. Wider multilateral processes: UN80
  5. Academic and think tank processes: The Wellcome Trust dialogues ; Centre for Global Development series; Devex Check-up series 

Engage – Listening to, learning from, and contributing to ongoing discussions and processes through a mix of direct/bilateral discussions, small group convenings (in-person and online) and larger seminars. Our engagements span senior (e.g. ministers, ambassadors and heads of agencies) and working levels (e.g. directors, health attaches), allowing us to gain full diversity of ideas and views.  

Ideate – Reviewing existing policy and reform proposals and developing our own, informed by our analysis and engagement. The focus will vary from addressing macro level questions about the future role of the global ecosystem to considerations regarding specific institutions (e.g. Gavi, Global Fund) or thematic issues.   

Communicate – Voicing our independent views and opinions through various dissemination channels, aiming to set out bold yet achievable proposals. We are communicating our ideas in analytical publications, focused opinion and viewpoint pieces (inc. media articles), seminars and smaller online and in-person discussions. More information about these is available on our News & Events page.