Global Health Without Borders: Reflections on the Power of Diverse Voices

By Ashvirni Gliberth, July 2025

Networking Beyond the Name Tags

One of the most rewarding parts of the Essentials of Global Health Practice summer school 2025 wasn’t just the content; it was the people. We came from all over: Europe, America, Africa, Palestine, the UAE, and Australia. Disciplines varied too—medicine, dentistry, public health, economics, policy, and even medical science liaisons from pharmaceutical companies. This diversity turned every discussion into a rich, multifaceted dialogue. Informal moments from sharing stories over lunch or debating health equity over coastal walks in Howth—often taught us just as much as the lectures. I’ll never forget sitting with peers from four continents discussing maternal care—from rural Ethiopia to high-tech Norway! Peer learning was at the heart of it all. We leaned on each other’s expertise, exchanged contacts, and built a global network that continues beyond the classroom. What stayed with me most was the openness, generosity, and shared drive to make a difference. Global health is about people—and through this course, I met some of the best. 

Challenged by Experts: Lessons Beyond the Lecture Hall

The course brought together a stellar lineup of lecturers whose insights challenged and reshaped my thinking. Robbie Lawlor’s session on advocacy stood out; his unapologetic voice blurred the line between lived experience and systemic critique. I finally understood the strategic nuance between activism and advocacy, and how both are essential to health justice.  It made me reconsider the legacy of colonisation in health systems and reflect on my assumptions. One story she shared, the tale of Goldilocks, reverberated deeply with me. We often hear it as a simple children’s story, but Bronwyn challenged us to unlearn the assumption that Goldilocks is the rightful protagonist. Instead, the story might actually favour the bears, reminding us how dominant narratives can mask power imbalances. This metaphor stayed with me as a call to question whose voices shape history—and to strive for more just, equitable stories in global health. Coming from a surgical background, I connected deeply with Eric O’Flynn’s discussion on global surgery and the need for equitable access to safe surgical care. Dr Umair expanded this further with powerful insights into sustainability in surgery. He revealed that just a one hourlong laparoscopic cholecystectomy can consume enough energy to power a car journey around Ireland—15 times over. This startling comparison made the environmental impact of routine surgical procedures impossible to ignore, challenging me to rethink how we define progress and responsibility in surgical practice.

Gerald Barry introduced One Health, which linked human, animal, and environmental health. His example of the post-quota dairy surge in Europe challenged my views on agricultural policy. Niall Roche reinforced the importance of WaSH, while the HSE’s climate action plan showed institutional accountability in environmental health. Finally, Fiona Lawless’s session on intersectionality and leadership revealed how identity shapes access, influence, and opportunity in global health. These sessions reminded me: global health is about systems, sustainability, and justice—but at its core, it’s about people and power.

From Theory to Impact

The course content exceeded expectations, blending theory with real-world application. Case studies were examined from vaccine equity in Palestine to food security in Malawi, bringing concepts to life. I expected academic depth but was challenged by justice-based discussions on power, decolonisation, and intersectionality. Environmental health, WaSH, and sustainable surgery were framed as urgent and actionable. The course reframed global health for me; it’s not abstract or distant. It’s immediate, interconnected, and demands informed, ethical, and equity-focused action.

Why This Course Was Personally Transformative

This course deeply connected with my clinical experience and future goals. Learning about health assessments in fragile, conflict-affected settings such as rapid health needs assessments and detailed surveys, enhanced my ability to gather vital data under varying conditions. The health system analysis modules provided practical tools to evaluate infrastructures and design sustainable programs, aligning well with ASPHER global health curriculum’s focus on linking global priorities to local realities. A powerful case study was the polio vaccination campaign in Palestine, illustrating the challenges of delivering care amid political instability and the importance of health advocacy and diplomacy. Clinically, I gained practical skills like METHANE reporting and 10-second triage, boosting my emergency preparedness. More than technical knowledge, the course challenged me to reflect on power, decolonisation, and intersectionality in global health. This reflection made me reconsider my own biases and the systemic inequalities that shape health access. Ultimately, this course reinforced global health as a personal mission, combining clinical expertise, cultural humility, and social justice to drive meaningful, lasting change.

Confronting Power and Inequity in Global Health

The summer school directly addressed power, race, and resource disparities, emphasising how colonial histories continue to shape global health inequities. Eunice Tolu’s inspiring talk on leading with health equity highlighted the power, courage, and humanity required to transform systems. Her message reinforced that leadership rooted in equity is essential for lasting change. Nadine France, Executive Director of IGHN, emphasised that health is global—interwoven and inseparable from justice, climate, and policy. A strong focus was placed on centring Global South voices, including participants and case studies from Africa, Palestine, and other marginalized regions. This challenged dominant Western narratives and enriched our understanding. Cross-cultural perspectives often prompted uncomfortable but necessary reflections on privilege and bias, fostering humility and commitment. Ultimately, the course taught me that ethical global health demands dismantling unjust structures and amplifying historically silenced voices to achieve true justice and sustainability.

Connecting the Dots: Systems Thinking and The Immersion Experience

The course excelled at blending multiple disciplines to provide a holistic view of global health challenges. We explored how health systems, economic policies, and political contexts intricately interact, revealing the complex, interconnected nature of global health. This interdisciplinary lens helped me see beyond isolated problems to the systemic roots of inequities. The immersion experience either from a physical or virtual perspective, added emotional intensity. Back-to-back sessions demanded sustained focus and reflection, often leaving little time to process before the next topic began. I remember one afternoon when, after several intense discussions on types of evaluation designs and the multifaced layers of intercultural awareness, I found myself mentally exhausted but energised—a paradox that underscored how deeply engaged I was. Immersion wasn’t just about absorbing information; it was about grappling with complex ideas in real time, cultivating resilience and adaptability

Learning Together and Looking Ahead

Peer learning was by far one of the most transformative parts of this course. Through dynamic presentations, lively small-group debates, and candid informal chats, I was repeatedly challenged to rethink my assumptions especially centred around cultural competence and health equity. One debate on vaccine hesitancy blew open my perspective, revealing community fears and values I had never fully appreciated. This experience has profoundly shifted how I view my career. Global health isn’t just about treating individual patients as it demands interdisciplinary teamwork, cultural humility, and constant self-reflection. I’m now driven not only to heal but to be part of systemic change that addresses root causes.

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before This Immersion:

1. Listen more than you speak—real learning happens here.

2. Lean into discomfort—it’s the gateway to growth.

3. Know your basics, but keep your mind wide open.

4. Build authentic connections—they’ll shape your journey.

5. Journal your insights—reflection fuels progress.

Conclusion

The Essentials of Global Health Summer School 2025 was a profound, intellectually challenging and deeply personal journey. It expanded my understanding of global health’s complexities, from power dynamics and decolonisation to sustainable surgery and emergency response. The diverse, interdisciplinary community enriched every discussion, pushing me beyond my comfort zone and inspiring lasting connections. More than knowledge, it gave me practical tools and a renewed sense of purpose. As a budding surgeon committed to equity and justice, this course has equipped me to contribute meaningfully to international health— embracing its challenges with humility, courage, and hope for real change.