Global health diplomacy has existed for more than 150 years. It takes place not only in health organisations but also in other institutions dealing with trade, environment, and development.

Mark Dybul, Executive Director of the Global Fund, posed a number of challenging questions to the Institute’s five-day Executive Course on Global Health Diplomacy. He set the tone with his opening speech: from paternalism to partnership, what will the world look like in 15 years’ time?

Dybul outlined the close relationship of global health and development. He also discussed the role of the G20 in re-shaping our world today and the importance of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) and MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea, Turkey, Australia) countries in changing the geopolitical context over the next 15 years. In health, it will go along with a shift towards system support and technical exchange, as well as a shift towards a global goods market place with the private sector providing important contributions.

Participants discussed the role of global health diplomacy in addressing the challenges of sustainable growth and the disparities within a country. Mark Dybul explored the need to close the equity gap, so even if equality may not be reached, creating equal opportunities remains an important goal. And indeed, global health diplomacy is a tool to help as it takes different forms and is more than just negotiation. It is part of a relationship building process for global health outcomes.

These and other debates, such as digital diplomacy for health, negotiating environment and health, trade agreements and health, and a public lecture on integrative diplomacy, have been taking place this week with the 32 participants of the Global Health Programme’s flagship course on global health diplomacy, directed by Professor Ilona Kickbusch.