21 November 2024 Articles

Rich exchanges and reconnections on climate change and health

On 19 November 2024, an interactive and insightful ITM alumni meeting took place in Nagasaki.

On 19 November 2024, organised in the fringes of the Health Systems Research Symposium 2024 in Nagasaki, our ITM alumni meeting gathered 45 alumni, staff and Emerging Voices, representing a large diversity of professional and geographical backgrounds. It was hosted by the University of Nagasaki.

Every two years, the EV4GH venture and HSR Symposium are an excellent opportunity to organise an ITM alumni meeting. This year’s meeting focused on 'Climate Change and Health: Exploring the Role of Alumni’. Organised together with the Ecohub Thematic Global Network on Climate Change, Urbanisation and Health, the first session explored how alumni would like to contribute to research and education in the field of climate change and health systems, policies and programmes within their and ITM’s networks. In order to get better insights into these, the Ketso methodology was used. This interactive way of brainstorming and participatory approach was highly appreciated by the participants.

The second session of the meeting focused on discussing the ways to leverage the ITM Alumni Network for impact at local, national, regional and international level. In small groups, the participants exchanged on the type of alumni networking activities currently lacking in order to leverage the formal network for impact at the different levels. Furthermore, the alumni and EVs discussed how to support each other in being agents of change. They explored as well how and in which format examples of impact stories, good practices and challenges, including processes of change, could be shared within the network for peer learning. The key takeaway outcomes and messages were shared in a plenary discussion. These include, amongst others, the importance of further supporting the establishment of national and regional alumni chapters and the development of a mentorship / twinning programme for students, involving alumni.

The interactive and insightful alumni meeting was both rich in thematic discussions and insights but also in human encounters and reconnections!

To be continued!

Join our global alumni network!

Are you an ITM alumnus or alumna? ITM ALUMNI CONNECTS unites professionals from diverse backgrounds, interests, and expertise. Our online community platform fosters interdisciplinary exchange, knowledge sharing, international collaboration, and meaningful social connections.

Join the platform today!