Track III: Health and Growth
January 29, 2006 by admin · Comments Off
| Panel I: The Eonomic and Social Impact of Infectious Disease in Developing Countries |
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This panel will explore how infectious disease impedes economic growth in developing countries. Panelists will discuss the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria on developing countries and prospects for lessening the effects of these pathogens.
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| Panel II: Sectors & Strategies: Public, Private and NGO Response to the Health Needs of the Developing World |
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In response to Global Health challenges, such as HIV/AIDS the public, private and non-governmental organizations have all responded. The debate lies in which sector has responded in the most effective manner. And can often disjoint aid efforts better work together to provide solutions to the health needs of the developing world. Through a discussion of the various types of initiatives from government agencies such as USAID, private multi-nationals such as Merck, and most recently high level non-governmental initiatives such as the Gates Foundation a comparison will be drawn. Which sector is providing the most innovative response? How can the sectors better work together? Through a discussion of the different sector approaches and better opportunities for them to collaborate together a framework of best practices and successful strategies for future collaboration will emerge.
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| Panel III: Women and Healthcare: Challenges Facing Healthcare in Developing Nations. Read more |
Opening Keynote Speaker
January 28, 2006 by admin · Comments Off
ZACKIE ACHMAT
HIV/AIDS Activist in South Africa
Born in Johannesburg, Zackie Achmat was raised in a Muslim community in Cape Town. He started his political life at 14, as one of the leaders of the 1976 anti-apartheid school boycotts. Between 1976 and 1980 he was arrested and detained by the security policy, and tried and imprisoned at some point in each of those years – which prevented him from completing high school.
After his release in 1980 he turned to underground work, revealing a flair for strategizing and tactical application as well as political education. He built a series of NGOs providing educational support to disadvantaged youth, skills training for school leavers and in the health sector. He was active in promoting the ANC at a mass level – from organizing the first open mass ANC funeral in the Western Cape, to publicizing the Freedom Charter in massive meters high murals spray painted onto walls all over Cape Town.
At the same time, Zackie remained critical of the leadership of the ANC, and never compromised his principles for the sake of political position or favor. This characteristic earned him intense loyalty from some, respect from others, often enmity from those in power. Zackie’s political philosophy was based on Marxism. As the events of the early 1990s unfolded he revised his ideas on Marxism and embraced the achievements of the new South African constitution. He realized that the struggle for social justice was going to be much more protracted than the perspective of 1980s suggested. He understood that the “human rights culture” required by the new South African constitution was not something automatic and would have to be fought for.