“Fight the bullies!”

By Ivana Hussu,  March 2024

“Fight the bullies”. A simple phrase, what should be general common sense, and the collective call to action and justice shared at the IGHNx 2025 event, held by the Irish Global Health Network in Dublin on 13th February 2025. The day featured TED-style talks exploring the theme of “reimagining global health” mixed with a spark of comedy, poetry, dance, and soul touching music performances. 

In recent years, we have all encountered news of humanitarian, ecological, or health crises. Despite widespread knowledge of these crises and potential solutions, collective action often falls short. Some people pray, some express their condolence and vicinity, some try to stay informed. However, this is not enough. With the rise of social media platforms, we are mostly spectators, washing our hands of, by liking or sharing pictures of devastated lands and hungry children, believing that digital engagement alone is enough. As Caoimhe De Barra emphasised; “This is not activism”. In real life we need to build alliances, support one another and believe in ourselves. Only when we step out of our digital, spectator shaped bubble we will be able to fight the bullies.  

The most recent crisis that will have a massive impact internationally is the shutdown of USAID imposed by the U.S. government. Estimates show that 95M people will most probably lose access to basic healthcare, leading to 3M preventable deaths annually; 30M people will most probably lose access to clean water; and as of right now 20 million (of which 500,000 children) people’s health has already been negatively impacted by suspension of HIV-related funding. Caoimhe de Barra started the day with a recap of the situation and concluded her speech with a call to action.  

• Get informed and don’t believe “them”.  

• Don’t obey in advance. 

• Focus and build alliances.  

• Believe in yourself.  

Among those most affected by the USAID cuts are people living with HIV. “Without intervention, millions will die”, not just because of disease, but because of policies and institutions that prioritise budgets over human lives. This is precisely the fight that Robbie Lawlor has been leading for years. Robbie opened up about how society was the biggest bully there was growing up gay and later living with HIV. However, by standing up to the bullies, such as governments and pharmaceutical industries, that did not want to spend money in saving lives, he built a loud and proud community living with HIV, that advocates for and supports each other. “Silence = Death” is the motto he stands up for. What we are witnessing right now is an enormous catastrophe, clinics are being closed from one day to the other. How do we make change when the bullies are so frightening? Do we dare be silent? Do we dare do nothing? Robbie concluded his talk with a clear call to action: “Join the Restore Humanity Campaign calling for a coordinated act of solidarity in saving lives that are being threatened by some of the biggest bullies of the current decade.” 

The theme of standing up to systemic injustices extended beyond the USAID crisis. Lelo Mary Thebe took the stage to address another set of “bullies”, governments and industries fuelling the climate crisis, forcing communities to flee their homes. Lelo shared the deep grief of being forced to leave her home, a grief she calls “ecological trauma”, the loss of lands and the way of life connected to them. Fionnuala Moran brilliantly wrapped up the session by stating: “We are all closer to becoming climate refugees than the next Elon Musk or Donald Trump, so why keep on defending them?”. 

Ralph Hurley O’Dwyer talked about the importance of multilingualism in Global Health. English could be identified as “the bully” in a world where monolingualism is too often perceived as the normality, and multilingualism, which is in fact way more common, is perceived as unique. More than 7,000 languages are spoken worldwide, yet only a few are used in the Global Health field, with English being used 99% of the time, from conferences to lectures and in research. A lack of cultural and linguistic knowledge creates disconnection that directly impacts global partnerships and possibilities for equitable interactions. 

Who better to take as an example to fight for what you believe in than the youngest and oldest speakers of the day. Isabelle Blum, an 18-year-old autistic student , who is fearlessly speaking up about her experience with the mental health system in Ireland, proving that advocacy has no age limit. Young voices deserve to be heard, and we must listen. On the other end of the spectrum, Dorly O’Sullivan, a third age retired teacher, continues to dedicate her time to causes that are close to her heart. She is a prime example of lifelong dedication for right causes and of showing us how passion does not have an expiry date.

The future is fiction, and we can all be authors. A phrase presented as part of a poetry performance by Colm Keegan, that I believe struck most of us in the audience. We are in the field of Global Health, because we hope for and want to be part of the change. And as James Swarray concluded, we should not lose hope in the possibility of changing something for the better.  

“When you know better, do better.” And I believe we all do know better.