From Berlin to Dakar: making young people’s voices heard at the best levels of the worldwide health ecosystem – Opinion

November 13, 2024
by Farida Tiemtore, founding father of Héroines du Faso, Voix EssentiELLES of Burkina Faso and member of the Global Fund Youth Council

Youth spearheaded a series of dynamic and galvanizing global health events in October 2024.

As a member of Voix EssentiELLES in Burkina Faso and the Global Fund Youth Council, I had the chance to take part in the 2024 World Health Summit in Berlin. There, I participated within the Youth Summit for Health, an initiative that brings together young leaders from diverse backgrounds and networks working towards a standard goal: supporting the subsequent Global Fund Replenishment conference in 2025.

I then went to Dakar to attend the Galien Forum. The theme of the event was “Acting on health and communities to address climate and environmental crises in Africa.”

The summit gave me a precious opportunity to share the fact of many young people and girls in Burkina Faso affected by malaria and facing challenges accessing care. I used to be capable of emphasize how necessary it’s for young people to take part in decision-making processes and gain access to international platforms. I used to be also capable of exchange ideas with other committed young people on how we will engage and offer latest perspectives to positively impact global healthcare financing. Together, we identified our strengths as young leaders and discussed the importance of mobilizing our communities through awareness campaigns, actively supporting causes at national and international levels, and participating in research supporting innovation in healthcare.

This experience highlighted the facility of youth mobilization. Our determination and commitment are a transparent driving force in securing and increasing the resources of the Global Fund which are essential within the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.

The World Health Summit gave me the chance to take part in strategic sessions on topics similar to the impact of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Global Fund on the world; health within the context of climate change; and the importance of investing in women’s health. I also attended a gathering with Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, where he highlighted the important thing role that civil society and youth networks play in mobilizing malaria-endemic countries.

Intergenerational dialogue was one in all the essential points of the Summit. Together with the likes of Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, and Peter Sands, we discussed ways to further strengthen young people’s involvement within the fight against malaria. In my speech, I emphasized the importance of seeing young people not only as resources, but in addition as strategic players able to providing progressive and sustainable solutions. As a representative of Voix EssentiELLES, I feel a special responsibility to be certain that the voices of young women from Burkina Faso and other African countries are heard at the best levels of the worldwide health community. That’s why I’ve called for more support for young people, including in digital technology and social advocacy, in order that we will make a major impact in our communities. The response from leaders has been encouraging and shows that the potential of young people is recognized, even when more structured support and funding remains to be needed to attain our common goals.

During the Galien Forum Africa, which took place in Dakar on October 22-25, I had the glory of collaborating in a panel discussion on “Climate and health resilience in Africa: women and young people are leading the way.” Discussions highlighted the impact of climate change on diseases similar to malaria and the way young people, and particularly women, can play a key role in increasing climate resilience of their communities. My talk focused on the importance of mobilizing youth to integrate climate challenges into public health discussions and policies, with a specific deal with malaria. This discussion strengthened my determination to proceed my digital initiatives, including my blog, to amplify women’s voices and promote their role in disease prevention. Participating on this panel allowed me to determine precious connections with other engaged young people and exchange perspectives and solutions to strengthen our impact at a regional level.

These events have made us realize one necessary thing: young people usually are not only the long run, but the current of worldwide health. With our passion and energy, we’ve the potential to make a difference and actively contribute to a healthier world. To make our impact lasting, nonetheless, we want strong partnerships and arranged support. I do know that we’ve not only the need, but in addition the strength, to drive change in healthcare and more broadly in the worldwide development ecosystem. Let us proceed our commitment and make our voices ring out as we call for a more inclusive and sustainable global health!