Devex: What do Ban Ki-moon, Justin Trudeau, Usher, and Bill Gates have in common? Global health diplomacy
Gabrielle Fitzgerald, an executive in the philanthropic and global health fields, and Peter Small, founding director of the Global Health Institute at Stony Brook University

“…Much of the progress we have seen recently on vaccines, nutrition, and global health security is due to global health diplomacy … We believe that at its core, global health diplomacy simply means finding ways to incentivize governments to achieve health goals for their citizens. … Why is it so important for global health professionals to identify and understand global health diplomacy? First, global health diplomacy represents the reality that health issues are inherently political. … Second, global health diplomacy is fundamental to making progress towards major global health challenges. … In conclusion, to effectively navigate the complex field of global health, one must take time to understand the role of global health diplomacy. Too often we focus on the practical solution at hand, instead of taking a step back to see the bigger picture. But, when we do look at the broader diplomatic, financial, and geopolitical context, then it becomes possible to plot the most effective course to overcome a global health challenge for real, lasting change…” (9/29).