Conference Subcommittee report

Heartland Global Health Consortium
Conference Subcommittee


The Central College house is reserved for consortium use from January 3- January 10, 2009. The original instruction to the committee was to plan a six- or seven-day conference, but several members of the subcommittee have suggested that a shorter conference might be more attractive to potential participants. Two proposed schedules are provided at the conclusion of this document, and the subcommittee invites comment from other consortium participants.

The Central College property in Merida includes a large house (a former governor’s mansion) with 9 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The bedrooms are very large and can accommodate up to 4 people each. There are several gathering spaces, both inside and outside. A palapa (classroom that is outdoors, but covered) seats at least 30 people. Several large and small patios and decks are also well suited for small group discussions.

Central College is willing to provide accommodation, including lodging, all meals, field trip transportation costs, etc. for a fee of $500 per person or less, depending on which schedule we choose. Some consortium members may choose to lodge at a nearby hotel (we will provide costs and other details in the near future). Discussions with Valerie Grimsley, Central College program director in Merida suggest that the optimal number of participants for this conference is no more than 30.

Objectives for the conference are:

Speakers/Sessions Days: To educate ourselves about the most pressing issues and approaches that are of current and future concern to scholars and professionals working in the field of global public health.
Field Trips: To explore how public health issues of pressing concern are addressed in both rural and urban settings in Merida and surrounding communities. To consider ways in which transnational influences on these communities either exacerbate or ameliorate public health problems.
Planning Day: To consider ways in which the consortium can best serve to strengthen faculty and student interest and learning with respect to global public health at member institutions. Focus on concrete plans for collaboration according to the division of labor represented by our present committee structure.





See next page for proposed schedules


Schedule Option 1
(4 days plus travel)

Day 1: Travel (reception or other activity in evening, depending on flight availability)
Day 2: Field trip to rural village, followed by siesta, discussion, and reflection
Day 3: Presentations from local experts and public health officials
Day 4: Field trip to urban area, followed by siesta, discussion, and reflection
Day 5: Consortium strategy session
Day 6: Travel

Schedule Option 2
(6 days plus travel)


Day 1: Travel
Day 2: Orientation to Merida (market, walking tour, etc.)
Day 3: Presentations from local experts and public health officials
Day 4: Visit to urban community, reflection and discussion
Day 5: Visit to rural community, reflection and discussion
Day 6: Presentations from local experts
Day 7: Excursion to Uxmal
Day 8: Travel

Education Subcommittee report

Heartland Global Health Consortium

Education Subcommittee Report March 8, 2008

Chair: Ellie DuPre?

General Purpose:
To develop multidisciplinary educational programs that will allow students and faculty in the consortium to participate in understanding and promoting public awareness of global health issues.


Objectives:
(1) Develop a certificate program in Global Public Health
· Credit hours
· Core courses
· Elective courses

(2) Develop a Masters Degree program in Global Public Health
· Credits hours
· Core courses
· Electives courses

(3) Determine and establish matriculation protocol between all participating consortium members

(4) Determine the best means to implement the programs.
· Class availability:
– evenings
– summer
– weekends
– online


Program assumptions:
· Courses should be multidisciplinary
· Emphasis should be on significant international health issues including their (both local and global) social, political, economic and, cultural dimensions as appropriate to ensure better understanding of the availability of resources for public health in developing countries.
· Experiential learning and study abroad should be a component of the core


Discussions concerning the make up of the core and possible elective courses have begun.