School of Public Health
UofM SPH Panel Discussions for Regional and International Cooperation to Advance Public Health Diplomacy at 2nd Public Health Diplomacy Summit
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
Public Health Diplomacy Summit agenda
This Public Health Diplomacy invited diplomats, academics, civil society representatives, and partner organizations from nearly 15 countries, participated to advance public health diplomacy. Through panel sessions, experts shared unique findings from each of their organizations/countries. The first day was comprised of six sessions:
- A Paradigm Shift from Global Health Diplomacy to Public Health Diplomacy with panelists: Matthew Brown (USA), Rajendra Surenthirakumaran (Sri Lanka), Kun-Hsien Tsai (Taiwan).
- Public Health Diplomacy: Lessons Learned and Opportunities Ahead with panelists: Luís de Almeida Sampaio (Portugal), Erica Kastrup (Brazil), Shawna Novak (Canada).
- Health Security and Public Health Diplomacy in an African Context with panelists: Woldekidan Amde (South Africa), Olagoke Akintola (South Africa), Margaret Kaseje (Kenya), Tiruneh Baye (Ethiopia), Ntuli A. Kapologwe (Tanzania).
- Advancing Public Health Diplomacy in Europe: ASPHER Perspective with panelists: Henrique Barros (Portugal), Robert Otok (Belgium), Ramunė Kalėdienė (Lithuania).
- Engaging Public Health Students and Practitioners in Applied Public Health Diplomacy Initiatives with panelists: Antonio Sarría-Santamera (Kazakhstan), Ashraf El-Metwally (Saudi Arabia), William Yotive (USA), Rodrigo Reis (USA), Woldekidan Amde (South Africa), Ramunė Kalėdienė (Lithuania).
- Discussion with panelists: Josep Figueras (Belgium), Erica Kastrup (Brazil), Robert Otok (Belgium), Ashish Joshi (USA).
Panel Discussions
Today we heard from experts from around the globe in person and virtually to colllaborate on regional and international advancements to the field of public health diplomacy.
Public Health Diplomacy Summit Day 2 - Group PhotoSPH
Public Health Diplomacy Summit Day 2 - Group PhotoSPH
Public Health Diplomacy Summit Day 2 - Group PhotoSPH
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For Media Inquiries contact: SPHCommunications@memphis.edu The Office of Communications at The University of Memphis School of Public Health
