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Announcement: The Struggle for Health: IPHU at GK, November 12-23, 2007

The International People’s Health University (IPHU) and the People’s Health Movement (PHM) in association with Gonoshasthaya Kendra (GK) and with the support of Medico International, present

THE STRUGGLE FOR HEALTH: A SHORT COURSE FOR HEALTH ACTIVISTS

Gonoshasthaya Kendra
Savar, Bangladesh
November 12-23, 2007

Participants may go straight to the Program Page.

Target date for applications: Friday September 14th. But please try to get applications in as soon as possible.

(Print version of this announcement)

Applications are now invited from health activists around the world wishing to participate in the Struggle for Health - a short course for health activists at Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Bangladesh, November 2007. (Download application form here.)

This is a rare opportunity to study (and join the struggle) at this world famous centre for comprehensive primary health care under Course Director, Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury.

For more about the International People’s Health University (IPHU) click on the links in the left column, 'About IPHU'.

The curriculum will cover:

  • the struggle for health: achievements, strategies and new directions;
  • working with communities and with grass roots health organisations;
  • comprehensive primary health care: achievements, lessons and new directions;
  • the political economy of health: globalisation, the WTO, the IMF and the WB; local issues and global pressures;
  • the right to health: principles, achievements and new directions;
  • people’s health and the environmental struggle;
  • research: part of the problem and part of the solution;
  • social determinants of health (poverty, oppression and hierarchy; alienation and exclusion; racism and sexism; materialism) and the struggle for health.

    • The program for the GK Short Course is based on the People’s Charter for Health (PCH). We will explore the meaning of the PCH; analyse the challenges it presents and develop resources and strategies for the struggle for Health For All.

    Return here periodically to access more detail about the teaching program here (this site will be frequently updated between now and November).

    GK Fellowships
    Applicants for the IPHU course may consider also applying for a GK Fellowship.
    GK Fellowships provide for three months study and field work based in GK but with opportunities for further experience in a range of PHM settings.
    Five GK Fellowships will be awarded in 2007. The fellowships commence with participation in the IPHU course after which fellows will embark on a tailored program of experience, field work and study. The fellowships are based mainly at GK but will also include a range of placements in PHM settings.
    More about GK Fellowships.

    The IPHU approach to learning

  • Start with the struggle for health
  • Teach and learn in partnership
  • Knowledge is for practice and purpose
  • New ideas must be used
  • Activism is an ethical commitment
  • Learn new ways of being (as well as new facts and theories)
  • Reflect, enquire, research
  • Leadership: judgement which inspires; the courage to take risks
  • Learn to listen to learn
  • Steer our own learning
  • Grow the skills and habits of life long learning
  • Learn to teach; teach to learn
  • Stay with the struggle for health

    • Pre-reading and small exercises will be provided in advance of the course so that participants can familiarise themselves with the material to be covered.

    The course itself will involve: lectures, small group discussions, debates, workshops and field trips and follow up study. Resource materials will take the form of hard copy readings, lecture notes and websites.

    Academic accreditation
    IPHU short course participants who are enrolled in an MPH and request accreditation of their training as part of their MPH will be required to submit assignments for assessment and will be provided with formal certification regarding the standard of the program and of their achievement.

    The IPHU short course study program is presented at masters level. The IPHU short course (with assessment) corresponds to one eighth of one full time full year study load. IPHU does not, at this stage, provide full degree programs.

    It remains the prerogative of the enrolling university to decide whether or not to grant credit for the short course as part of the MPH they offer. Applicants who are contemplating seeking accreditation of IPHU training towards their MPH are advised to consult with the academic authorities of their enrolling university. The IPHU Coordinator would be pleased to provide additional information as required.

    Who is the course planned for?
    Enrolment policy aims to achieve:

  • geographical mix: 30% from Bangladesh, 30% from the South Asia region and 40% sourced from elsewhere around the globe; applications from Africa (and other developing countries) are particularly encouraged;
  • gender balance;
  • diversity of involvements: community based organisations, NGOs, universities, government officials, etc; and
  • diversity of skills, interests and educational backgrounds.

    • Priority will be given to

  • younger people;
  • PHC and public health practitioners;
  • people with a track record as health activists within the people’s health movement, in particular, people who have been actively involved in organisations which are part of the people’s health movement.

    • Applicants should preferably have a university degree and reasonably skills in oran and written English. Target date for applications: Friday September 14th. But please try to get applications in as soon as possible.

    Download application forms here: IPHU Application Form. Please do not use the IPHU form if you are applying for a GK Fellowship.

    Faculty (to be confirmed)
    Prof Fran Baum, Flinders University, Australia
    Prof David Sanders, University of Western Cape, South Africa
    Dr David Legge, La Trobe University, Australia
    Dr Claudio Schuftan, Public Health Consultant, Vietnam
    Dr. Francoise Barten, Nijmegen University, Holland
    Dr Prem John, People’s Health Movement, India
    Prof Delen de la Paz, University of the Philippines, Manila
    Dr Ravi Narayan, Community Health Cell, Bangalore, India
    Ms Maija Kagis, Primary Health Care Consultant, Ottawa
    Prof Eduardo Espinoza, University of El Salvador
    Dr Zafrullah Chowdy, Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Bangladesh
    Ms Maria Hamlin-Zuniga, International People’s Health Council, Nicaragua
    Dr Miguel San Sebastian, Umeå International School of Public Health, Sweden and Instituto de Epidemiologia y Salud Comunitaria “Manuel Amunárriz”, Ecuador

    IPHU is always keen to hear from teachers within the people's health movement who might be interested in contributing to our teaching program. Expresssions of interest should be directed to the IPHU Coordinator ([email protected]) and should include some details regarding your areas of expertise and teaching experience.

    Cost and scholarships:
    Enrolment and tuition fee: $US200.
    Accommodation and meals: $US100.
    Scholarships covering airfares, accommodation and meals and tuition may be available. (Applicants should seek such support from sponsors in their own countries in the first instance.) Applicants for scholarships should secure the endorsement of:

  • at least one person engaged in the PHM organisation at regional or global levels;
  • an organisation with which they have been working as part of the people’s health movement.

    • Scholarship applications from Africa are particularly encouraged.

    Further inquiries to the IPHU Coordinator, Dr David Legge ([email protected]) and Course Coordinator Dr Monzur Kadir ([email protected]).

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