CAPACITY-BUILDING
Capacity-building offered by the International Geneva Global Health Platform
Through our capacity-building initiatives focused on various aspects of global health governance and diplomacy, we develop and share the knowledge and skills that stakeholders need to better navigate the complex landscape of global health. By facilitating access to cutting-edge research on both the politics and science of global health, we endeavour to bring evidence to policy-makers so it can be translated into equitable and evidence-based policies and practice.
Our unique position at the heart of International Geneva allows us to inspire synergies and partnerships with diplomats, international organisations, educational institutions, and leading global health experts for capacity-building. We provide both in-person and online courses, in multiple languages, catering to the needs of global health stakeholders with varying levels of experience, in Geneva and beyond.
Our commitment to equitable access to capacity-building ensures that all courses by the International Geneva Global Health Platform are delivered on a tuition-free basis and all materials are open-access, thanks to the support of our funders. (See our ABOUT page for more information)
Contact us if you would like to request and fund a course.
Course catalogue
Organised by the Global Health Platform
The New Diplomacy of Global Health
Participation format:
In-person
The Global Health Centre’s flagship 3-day Global Health Diplomacy course is designed for professionals currently working in and/or interested in engaging further in global health diplomacy. It offers insight into what is at stake in global health diplomacy after COVID-19, and in light of emerging geopolitical rifts, biotechnological and financial developments, and the moves to decolonise global health. Participation in the course is free thanks to the generous support of the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Places are limited to around 25 participants each year, selected through a competitive application process.
Created by the Platform
3 days (15 hours of teaching)
Duration:
Fees:
Free
Gender Politics in Global Health Diplomacy
Participation format:
In-person
A new addition to the capacity-building catalogue from December 2024, developed in close partnership with the Health Diplomacy Alliance, this free 2-day course examines the politics of gender and health, offering important insights on how to respond to targeted gender challenges in global health negotiations. The first course was offered exclusively for diplomats based in Geneva while it is envisioned to offer the course to a broader audience in the future.
Created by the Platform
2 days (10 hours of teaching)
Duration:
Fees:
Free
In partnership with:
Health Diplomacy Alliance
Governing Pandemics 101 (GP101)
Participation format:
Online
This free, open online course is designed for learners who wish to follow and engage with ongoing processes to reform global arrangements for pandemic preparedness and response. Relevant for anyone interested in global health, the course explores topics ranging from the institutional and legal structure of global health governance, human rights, and financing, to access to vaccines and drugs, sharing of data and samples, and animal-human health. Legacy access only (no certificate available).
Created by the Platform
8 sessions (MOOC-style individual learning)
Duration:
Fees:
Free
Organised by partners
Climate Change Negotiations and Health
Participation format:
Online
This free, open-access online course, developed by the One UN Climate Change Learning Partnership (UN CC:Learn), provides essential information on climate change and its impacts on human health. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive overview of climate change negotiations and explores entry points for addressing health priorities within climate change policies and negotiations. The Global Health Centre contributed to the 2024 update, revising the course to reflect recent developments in health-related topics within climate meetings and negotiations.
Courses organised in collaboration with external partners
Duration:
3 hours
Fees:
Free
In partnership with:
UNITAR, WHO, UNCC:Learn, ClimateTracker.org
Gobernanza en pandemias
Participation format:
Spanish only, Online
The Spanish-language version of the Governing Pandemics (GP101) course was developed in collaboration with Universidad de los Andes in Colombia and is adapted for the Latin American context. It is designed for learners who wish to follow and engage with ongoing processes to reform global arrangements for pandemic preparedness and response. Relevant for anyone interested in global health, the course explores topics ranging from the institutional and legal structure of global health governance, human rights, and financing, to access to vaccines and drugs, sharing of data and samples, and animal-human health.
Courses organised in collaboration with external partners
Duration:
8 sessions (MOOC-style individual learning)
Fees:
Free
In partnership with:
Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
Drug Policy, Public Health and Diplomacy
Participation format:
Hybrid
Designed as a new collaboration between the Global Health Centre and the Institute of Global Health at the University of Geneva, the course launches in January 2025 in hybrid format. The 3-day course provides insights about the international drug control regime and helps to develop the knowledge and skills needed to negotiate drug policies in the current global diplomatic context. Aimed at government officials working on drug policy, the course also offers on-site visits at institutions in Geneva.
Courses organised in collaboration with external partners
Duration:
3 days (optional last day for site visists in Geneva)
Fees:
Tuition fee (travel grants available)
In partnership with:
University of Geneva
Santé et diplomatie
Participation format:
Hybrid, French only
The 5-day course aims to equip high-level officials in public health with the knowledge of the major challenges in global health and the skills needed to navigate the interface between health, diplomacy and politics. Delivered fully in French, the course is targeted at diplomats and public officials primarily from Francophone countries. The course is a long-standing collaboration between the University of Geneva and the Global Health Centre.
Courses organised in collaboration with external partners
Duration:
5 days (35 hours of teaching, 3 ECTS credits)
Fees:
Tuition fee
In partnership with:
University of Geneva
Global Health, Drugs, Policy and Power
Participation format:
In-person
Offered by the University of Geneva in collaboration with the Global Health Centre, the 5-day summer school explores key questions at the heart of international drug policy discussions. Open to a target audience of bachelor and master students as well as junior professionals, the course uses a mix of lectures, case studies, mock debates, group work and more to convey a strong understanding of the major health and human rights issues related to drug use and drug policy.
Courses organised in collaboration with external partners
Duration:
5 days (35 hours of teaching, 3 ECTS credits)
Fees:
Tuition fee
In partnership with:
University of Geneva
Custom on-demand courses
Developed by the Global Health Centre in partnership with Unitaid, this free course provides a concise introduction to the complex topic of innovation and access to medicines. Utilising the unique "fresque" methodology that was adapted to the health governance context by the Global Health Centre and Unitaid, the course deconstructs the various stages and challenges involved in the launch of a new medicine, with a particular focus on the role of global health actors.
Custom on-demand courses
Introduction to Innovation and Access to Medicines in Global Health
Participation format:
In-person
Duration:
1-2 days (up to 8 hours of teaching, bespoke Fresque methodology)
Fees:
Free (funded by UNITAID)
In partnership with:
UNITAID