School of Public Health

European Health Forum Gastein Session

Friday, 04 September 2026

This session will challenge Young Gasteiner teams to develop practical public health diplomacy strategies addressing three major policy areas: vaccination, migration, and climate change. Through team pitches, expert feedback, audience discussion, and live voting, participants will explore how public health professionals can more effectively influence political debates and decision-making. 

The session aims to strengthen the ability of public health professionals to engage in political decision-making through improved communication, negotiation, coalition-building, and evidence translation. Participants will gain practical insights into how public health diplomacy can help advance health, equity, and resilience within the European Union. 

Josep Figueras, Director Emeritus, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, will moderate the session. Panelists will include Martin McKee, Professor of European Public Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine; Co-Director, European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies and Ramunė Kalėdienė , Professor, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences; ASPHER Public Health Diplomacy Lead; as well as  Ashish Joshi, Dean and Distinguished Professor, School of Public Health, University of Memphis; ASPPH Board Member.

To learn more click on EHFG 2026 - Public Health Diplomatron: Hacking Political Influence for Health.