18 February 2025 – In a timely and thought-provoking webinar titled "Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Lessons in Solidarity from Global Health Influencers," global health experts, academics, human rights advocates, philosophers, civil society representatives, and representatives from marginalised communities came together to explore the critical role of solidarity in addressing the world’s most pressing health challenges. Hosted by the Moving Beyond Solidarity in Global Health (Global Health Solidarity) Project, the webinar attracted over 50 attendees who gathered to discuss solidarity in global health.
Professor Elysée Nouvet, Co-Principal Investigator of the Global Health Solidarity Project and Associate Professor at Western University’s School of Health Studies, together with Dr Mary Ndu, a Research Associate on the project, presented findings from their ongoing qualitative research, which aims to clarify the conceptual ambiguity surrounding solidarity in global health while identifying both the barriers to and enablers of its practice.
Their presentation for this webinar was based on a study involving approximately 80 in-depth interviews, focusing on the analysis of 23 selected interviews with senior staff and advisers from major global health funding and implementation organisations, 14 of whom were based in the Global South.
Professor Nouvet and Dr Ndu outlined several barriers to solidarity identified by research participants, including power imbalances, funding challenges, and the influence of pharmaceutical companies. Participants expressed concerns about how geopolitical competition and the dominance of actors from high-income countries and powerful institutions continue to limit aspirations for more equitable collaboration and long-term solutions to inequalities.
Many participants criticised decision-makers’ tendency to prioritise programmes that benefit their own countries or align with their interests. They highlighted how global health efforts frequently focus on treatment rather than strengthening health systems, emphasising that lasting change requires addressing root causes. However, much of the current focus remains on marketing health products rather than developing the systems needed to prevent illnesses in the first place.
While the barriers identified by study participants are significant, so too are the opportunities for change. The webinar highlighted key enablers of solidarity, including shared decision-making, clear communication, and trust-building.
The event also featured an engaging Q&A session with critical discussions on the role of individuals in perpetuating structural challenges, the potential for collaboration with environmental groups, and the exclusion of voices from the Global South. Attendees agreed that solidarity is more than just rhetoric—it is essential for achieving health equity and justice.
What’s Next?
The Moving Beyond Solidarity Rhetoric in Global Health (Global Health Solidarity) Project is working to transform these insights into practical tools to operationalise solidarity in global health. This pioneering work is led by the University of Ghana in collaboration with Western University (Canada), Australian Catholic University, the University of Cape Town, the University of Costa Rica, and the University of Oxford, and is funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Call to Action
As the global health community continues to navigate a rapidly evolving landscape, this webinar served as a reminder that solidarity is not just an aspirational ideal but a practical necessity. By breaking down barriers and building bridges, global health influencers can work together to create a more equitable and just world.
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