Our field is being tested in ways few of us could have imagined, demanding not only clear-eyed realism but unwavering resolve.
We at IIGH are keenly aware of the gravity of the current global landscape. The ongoing war in Iran, like so many of the conflicts currently impacting our world, is devastating. And beyond the immediate human tragedy, it is also a sobering reminder of how quickly conflict can destabilize not only countries but the globe as a whole. In this instance, it portends a severe, impending humanitarian crisis. UNDP has warned that this war alone could push more than 32 million people worldwide into poverty, driven by the “triple shock” of surging energy prices, rising food costs, and weakening global growth. In moments like these, our work feels more challenging, but also more essential than ever.
Yet, amidst these challenges, I recently returned from a series of meetings in both Geneva and Washington, D.C., where I was struck by a notable shift in how folks are responding to the endless parade of horribles assailing us all from all sides. Where previously the palpable sense of despair was front and center, I am increasingly hearing, in both formal and informal conversations, a renewed determination to come together and collectively generate solutions. This spirit of pragmatic collaboration is precisely what is needed now, and it is heartening to see this happening in real time and in so many places. For us here at IIGH, it also reinforces our responsibility to determine how best to support our students and the young people we work with, for this moment and for the future as they prepare to inherit this turbulent world.
This spirit of collaborative action was also vibrantly on display at our recent annual USC Global Health Symposium, hosted by IIGH. The event brought together an incredible mix of faculty, students, staff, and collaborators, showcasing the remarkable range of global health expertise and talent within our community ready to address our current reality. We were especially honored to have four Senior Fellows present from our Africa-U.S. Global Health Communication Leadership Initiative, which we co-host with the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership and Policy. The work of these leaders, who joined us from Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa, is not only advancing our understanding of how locally-grounded journalism and strategic communication efforts can advance health equity and justice, but contributing to a new, vital narrative about the future of Africa-U.S. cooperation and diplomacy in tackling health inequalities.
As we look to the immediate future, we are preparing for the joyful milestone of USC graduation, and at IIGH we are also planning a return to Geneva for our annual Global Health Policy in Action course. On the sidelines of the World Health Assembly, we will be traveling with a group of graduate students to meet a range of organizational and U.N. agency partners. While there, we will also host an intimate breakfast salon to engage new collaborators, and explore new ways to scale and grow our impact.
In this difficult moment, coming together to engage in evidence-based and rights-oriented work remains our most powerful tool. I look forward to all the ways we will continue to partner, push forward, and build our collective strength. I hope the work highlighted here resonates with you, and look forward to connecting in the months to come.
With very warmest wishes and heartfelt congratulations to all of our graduates,
Sofia Gruskin, JD, MIA
Director
USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health