PACIFIC HEALTH GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP: Knowledge Translation for SDG Implementation

Hosted by UQ’s School of Public Health, in collaboration with UQ International Development, Abt Associates, TNC Pacific Consulting and the Centre for Policy Futures, the workshop aims to facilitate a meeting of scholars and practitioners from Australia and the Pacific region who work on issues related to health, governance and development. The workshop will explore the health and development of the region within the context of the unfolding UN Sustainable Development agenda. The event is designed to map research needs for the region in terms of four major themes, with the objective to facilitate the construction of research agendas for policy by means of co-creation activities. The workshop will be the first in a series of events designed to broker networks and partnerships for research and innovation for health in the region.

Workshop organisers and sponsors have set out to organise an event that is deliberately different from standard conferences. An emphasis has been placed on seeking funding for travel scholarships to bring Pacific voices, scholars and practitioners to the event in order to construct research agendas that are Pacific-driven, respond to needs and create agendas for joint research and action. Keynote speakers, panellists and chairs will include leading scholars and practitioners in Pacific affairs and global health governance, with space for dialogue and an opportunity for researchers, funders and practitioners from the region to discuss research needs and collaboration opportunities.

Program:

Workshop Opening: Thursday 15th of February 5pm-7pm
Registration and Welcome Reception
An opportunity to network with fellow delegates and hear from the first guest speaker for the program. 
Guest Speaker: Jo Chandler - Journalist/Writer/Author

Workshop: Friday 16th of February 8am - 5pm 
Full Workshop Day: 8:00am for 8:30am start. Concluding at 5:00pm.

Part One: Welcome and Keynote Address
Keynote: Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Director General, Pacific Community (SPC)

Part Two: Thematic Breakout Sessions (each session to run concurrently)
Theme 1: Health and security and the region - Includes pandemics, biosecurity, preparedness, International Health Regulations, gender-based violence, trauma and poverty, emergencies and catastrophic events.
Theme Leader/s - Gavin Macgregor Skinner, Global Health Security Advisor, Abt Associates
Tara Chetty, Senior Program Officer - Gender, Pacific Women Support Unit 

Theme 2: Health systems and universal health - Encompassing workforce, training, mobility and health seeking, urban health, coverage and capacities, health rights.
Theme Leader/s - Mark Power, Senior Manager - Knowledge, Learning & Evaluation, Abt Associates
Agnes Pawiong, Manager Policy, Planning and Economics, Department of Health PNG

Theme 3: Climate change and WASH - Analyses of fresh water, sanitation, zoonotic disease, One Health, climate change and threats to health, health security, climate change and mobility. 
Theme Leader/s - Erickson Sammy, Director for the Govenrment Department of Water Resources, Vanuatu
Elizabeth Gumbaketi, PhD Candidate, James Cook University

Theme 4: Non-Communicable Disease - Including trade and health, food security, access to medicines, cancer, mental health, unhealthy commodities.
Theme Leader/s - Dr Colin Tukuitonga, Director-General, Secrtariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) 
Dr Wendy Foley, Manager, Research and Training, Southern QLD Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care

The 4 thematic streams are wide ranging and reflect the diverse challenges and opportunities for health and policy in the region all in the context of the unfolding SDG agenda. These concurrent sessions will be co-chaired by Australian and Pacific Island researchers and practitioners who will provide lead inputs to kick start a conversation that is designed to address key questions and issues such as where are the capacity and research needs and how can we best provide research to help Pacific health under the SDG agenda . This will use a modified talanoa method with a facilitator engaging with delegates to contribute their experience to develop the conversation further.

Part Three: Closing Session

Facilitators will report back and draw conclusions on research needs and capacities from each of the thematic breakout sessions.

Optional Breakfast Meeting: Saturday 17th of February at 9:00am 

Additional informal networking opportunity to further discussions from the workshop day. Participation will be at delegates own expense.

Read the full program.