Global health partnerships and capacity building

Universities across the world combine strengths in research, education, training and health service delivery, along with access to multiple disciplines within a single institution. International partnerships between universities and other academic institutions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres offer an important way to tackle the global health challenges of the 21st century, including those outlined in the Millennium Development Goals. They also play an important role in building capacity in research, education, training and health services in developing countries.

To consider the issue of building institutions through equitable partnerships in global health in more depth, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Royal College of Physicians, the Wellcome Trust, Universities UK and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation held a high-level conference in April 2011. The conference brought together a diverse group of over 100 senior figures from 21 different countries representing universities, research institutes, funders, professional societies, charities and industry. Its objective was to share best practice, review lessons learned and plan a way forward for international partnerships that promote equity and sustainability. A particular focus of the conference was the perspective of Southern institutions, with many panellists from institutes in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and South America.