Abstract
The American Mock World Health Organization (AMWHO) is a model for experiential-based learning and student engagement in global health diplomacy. AMWHO was established in 2014 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a mission to engage students in health policy by providing a simulation of the World Health Assembly (WHA), the policy-forming body of the World Health Organization that sets norms and transforms the global health agenda. AMWHO conferences are designed to allow students to take their knowledge of global health beyond the classroom and practice their skills in diplomacy by assuming the role of WHA delegates throughout a 3-day weekend. Through the process of developing resolutions like those formed in the WHA, students have the unique opportunity to understand the complexities behind the conflict and compromise that ensues through the lens of a stakeholder. This article describes the structure of the first 2 AMWHO international conferences, analyzes survey results from attendees, and discusses the expansion of the organization into a multi-campus national network. The AMWHO 2014 and 2015 post-conference survey results found that 98% and 90% of participants considered the conference "good" or "better," respectively, and survey responses showed that participants considered the conference "influential" in their careers and indicated that it "allowed a paradigm shift not possible in class."
Highlights
Global Health: Science and Practice 2017 | Volume 5 | Number 1Health Organization conferences fill that gap by engaging students in health diplomacy by replicating the World Health Assembly (WHA) debating a particular, complex global health issue.While attending Ontario Model World Health Organization (OMWHO), author Neha Acharya observed that diplomacy was key to realizing the goals of global health, a concept and skill not prevalent in global health policy curricula
We describe the structure and procedures of the American Mock World Health Organization (AMWHO) conference and roles that students play while illustrating the content of the debate with a case study from the Americas region during the AMWHO 2015 conference
AMWHO fills a gap in global health policy education by providing students with exposure to the mechanics and political dynamics of the World Health Assembly, and an experiential opportunity to develop skills essential to careers in global health governance
Summary
Health Organization conferences fill that gap by engaging students in health diplomacy by replicating the WHA debating a particular, complex global health issue. While attending OMWHO, author Neha Acharya observed that diplomacy was key to realizing the goals of global health, a concept and skill not prevalent in global health policy curricula. American Mock World Health Organization www.ghspjournal.org with key stakeholders make diplomacy training a practical tool that can better prepare aspiring public health professionals to listen, negotiate, and develop solutions.[3]. Since the founding 2014 AMWHO conference, 2 international AMWHO conferences have been held. We describe the structure and procedures of the AMWHO conference and roles that students play while illustrating the content of the debate with a case study from the Americas region during the AMWHO 2015 conference. We present findings from online surveys of AMWHO 2014 and 2015 participants to inform successes and opportunities for growth
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