The world is changing, nothing new. What is new is the pace and intensity of geopolitical shifts that directly affect global cooperation and health equity. As donor priorities turn inward — driven by national interests, budget constraints, and shifting alliances — global health programmes face growing uncertainty. These changes have direct consequences for communities in low- and middle-income countries, where poverty, conflict, and fragile health systems amplify their impact.
At the Fall Symposium 2025, we explore how these global shifts affect health systems, research, and cooperation — and how we can respond collectively. Through critical discussion and real-world case studies, we highlight resilience, innovation, and values-driven collaboration in pursuit of health justice for all. This symposium is relevant for (international) healthcare professionals, policy makers, researchers, (global health) students and more.
09:00–09:30 | Registration and coffee — Foyer
Participant arrival and registration. Informal networking with coffee and tea.
09:30–09:45 | Opening & welcome — Main Hall 217
Hanneke Dekker (Chair, NSGH)
Grace O’Brien (Moderator)
Short opening remarks by the NSGH Chair and introduction of the theme and structure of the day by the moderator.
09:45–10:15 | Geopolitical changes leading to a funding crisis in health: Time to rethink — Main Hall 217
Dr Henk Bekedam (Public Health Specialist; former WHO Representative in China, Egypt, and India)
Recent geopolitical changes have led to a funding crisis in global health. Dr. Bekedam reflects on the implications for disease programs and the wider consequences for global health, calling for countries to invest in health and their people, moving away from aid dependency. The session urges leadership to see health as an investment in human capital and economic growth, while collaborative approaches remain essential for resilience.
10:15–10:45 | The global consequences of ending USAID & PEPFAR health programmes — Main Hall 217
Dr Anja Giphart (Vice President, Technical Leadership, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation – EGPAF)
This keynote examines the profound changes in U.S. foreign aid policy since early 2025 — focusing on the termination of USAID programs, growing threats to PEPFAR, and the implications of the new “America First” Global Health Strategy for equity, health outcomes, and international partnerships.
10:45–11:15 | Global health at a crossroads: Learning from the good, fixing the bad and ending the ugly — Main Hall 217
Dr. Mustapha Gidado (Executive Director, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation)
Global health aid has saved millions of lives but has also created fragmentation and dependency. As funding tightens and geopolitics shift, this session calls for coordinated action — to learn from what worked, fix what hasn’t, and end practices that hinder sustainable, country-led solutions.
11:15–11:45 | Coffee break — Foyer
11:45–12:15 | Tuberculosis programs and research in a populist era — Main Hall 217
Professor Martin Boeree (Emeritus Professor of Clinical Tuberculosis and Mycobacterial Diseases, Radboudumc)
“Trump and TB? How is that connected?” A provocative reflection on the impact of populism and global political fatigue on tuberculosis research and health cooperation.
12:15–12:45 | Prioritising cancer care in Rwanda: Making tough choices in times of scarcity — Main Hall 217
Professor Rob Baltussen (Professor of Global Health Economics, Radboudumc)
Against a backdrop of shifting health priorities and shrinking aid budgets, Rwanda faces the challenge of expanding cancer care within limited resources. Prof. Baltussen discusses how the Ministry of Health developed a national cancer package covering 47 cancer types — balancing evidence, ethics, and fairness amid scarcity.
12:45–13:00 | VIDI grant for research on health care systems financing in low-resource settings — Main Hall 217
Dr Igna Bonfrer (Associate Professor of Global Health Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam)
The recent withdrawal of development assistance for health presents both a shock and an opportunity for African health care. Igna Bonfrer will present her research proposal titled “Never waste a good crisis? Aid and chronic care services across Africa”, that was recently selected for a prestigious Vidi grant by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Lunch break — Foyer
2:00–2:45 p.m. | Debt, finance, and the future of sustainable health systems — Main Hall 217
Mr Koen Scholten (Global Health Expert, Wemos)
Dr. Andes Chivangue (Health Policy Researcher, Eduardo Mondlane University, Mozambique)
This session explores how global financial decisions — including debt management — shape countries’ ability to lead their own health development. Focusing on Mozambique, the discussion examines how debt distress constrains domestic investment and what lessons international partners can learn to support equitable and sustainable outcomes.
2:00–2:45 p.m. | Parallel sessions
Room 210 – Mentoring session for early-career professionals
Hosted by Uniting Streams
An engaging 45-minute mentoring session connecting early-career professionals with mentors from diverse global health fields. Through short one-on-one conversations, participants can explore career paths, research, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
Room 218 – Reimagining Cooperation: Mindset Change Beyond the Aid Cuts
Organised by Vice Versa / Vice Versa Global / Mpolegema Media
Facilitators: Marc Broere (Editor-in-Chief, Vice Versa) & Ellen Mangnus (Wageningen University)
The global landscape of development and health cooperation is changing rapidly. Donor countries are turning inward, budgets are shrinking, and partnerships are under pressure. Yet, these disruptions offer an opportunity to rethink what genuine cooperation looks like beyond aid dependency.
This interactive 45-minute workshop builds on Debunking Notions: Reshaping Mindsets, a multimedia and dialogue initiative by Vice Versa Global and Mpolegema Media that challenges stereotypes and reimagines relationships between Africa and Europe.
Participants will explore how the end of traditional aid relations can inspire more equal, resilient, and value-driven forms of collaboration in global health and beyond — through short reflections, multimedia storytelling, and small-group dialogue.
Room 219 – Regional production initiatives for African self-reliance, sovereignty and health equity
By Ms Julia Hochberger (Global Health Expert, Wemos) (other speakers to be confirmed)
This session dives into the recent international initiatives aiming to increase regional production on the African continent. We will be looking at international partnerships, EU and NL funding flows, and power dynamics, zooming in on the BionTech containers in Rwanda. What is the potential for increasing access and affordability of essential health products by producing regionally? How, and is, production capacity geared towards local health needs and ownership? What are the obstacles to ensure health equity on the long-term? The questions will guide the discussion to collectively determine how regional production initiatives should be designed to advance access and affordability on the African continent.
2:50–3:20 p.m. | Decolonising global health: Addressing the moral and epistemic crisis — Main Hall 217
Professor Shahaduz Zaman (Professor of Medical Anthropology and Global Health, University of Sussex)
This presentation explores how colonial legacies continue to shape global health and why decolonisation is essential for equity. Prof. Zaman argues that the crisis is not only financial but also moral and epistemic — calling for a shift from dependency to partnership, inclusion of diverse knowledge systems, and a reimagining of global health rooted in empathy, care, and solidarity.
2:50–3:20 p.m. | OIGT Internal session — Room 218
Closed session for OIGT members.
3:20–3:40 p.m. | Plenary discussion — Main Hall 217
Moderated wrap-up and reflection on key insights from the day. Led by the moderator and NSGH chair.
3:40–4:15 p.m. | PhD & Thesis award ceremony — Main Hall 217
Short finalist pitches, followed by the announcement of the 2025 winners.
4:15–4:30 p.m. | OIGT Diploma ceremony — Main Hall 217
4:30–5:30 p.m. | Networking reception — Foyer
Join fellow participants for drinks and informal networking.
5:00–6:30 p.m. | CIGT Trainers meeting (internal) — Room 210
Internal meeting; approximately 30 participants expected.
Accreditation & registration fees
This symposium has been accredited with 4 points (NSGH). 4 points (NSGH).
Regular fee: 95,- EUR
Reduced fee (NSGH members): 75,- EUR
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