September 20th - 27th 2024, Berlin
This year’s Global Health Summer School focussed on trauma, empowerment and the right to health in the context of forced displacement and flight. Throughout our programme, we tried to develop an intersectional and emancipatory perspective. We gained insights into global health architecture and its interplay with migration politics. Academic debates on trauma, resilience and healing that consider the role of culture, society and politics were reflected. We asked how human rights based and decolonial approaches to trauma and psychosocial work change the way we think about violence and health. To do this we juxtaposed the lived experiences of migrant people and refugees with critiques of border regimes and asylum systems of the Global North. We collected ideas on how to put our reflections to use as health professionals, researchers and/or activists fighting for human rights and health equity.
Based on a process-oriented and trauma-sensitive approach in itself, the summer school aimed to create a space for global learning in which everybody feels safe, acknowledged and in control of their learning experience. We followed a methodology of trauma-sensitive classrooms and provided space for individual reflection, interpersonal exchange, bodily exercises, breaks and nurturing activities.
In the Global Health Summer, students and practitioners from various countries participated in dialogue with professionals and activists from diverse backgrounds, examined problems and discussed potential solutions. We focussed on how we, as health professionals and political activists, can have a positive impact in attaining health for all.
Please see the summer school programme here. The summer school was kicked-off by a one day symposium on psychosocial work, especially with torture survivors, which was organised with a delegation of Kurdish-Turkish practitioners and human rights defenders. More information can be found here in German.
Read what participants had to say
Attending the global summer school was a deeply meaningful experience for me. The sessions on trauma, migration, intersectionality, decolonization, and human rights were both informative and emotional. They touched me deeply and made me think about my own beliefs. Each discussion helped me understand the real struggles of marginalized communities and how these issues are connected. One of the most impactful parts was learning about the role of activists in creating real change. Hearing their personal stories brought the lessons to life and showed how activism works in practice. Overall, the summer school was a great experience that will influence my perspective and future work.
Sangham - medical doctor at Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Kathmandu, Nepal
The IPPNW Global Health Summer School was an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience that allowed space for critical questions, discussions, reflections and collaboration. I had the privilege to meet wonderful, inspiring and open-minded participants from many different cultural and professional backgrounds, share opinions and perspectives, as well as enhance and challenge my understanding of trauma, empowerment, forced displacement, migration, decolonisation and medical peace work. Additionally, this week offered insightful workshops, informative lectures and critical discussions with activists and experts. It motivated and inspired me to engage more in the global health and activism sphere as well as keep in contact with the beautiful connections made during this time of critical thinking and reflecting. I am deeply grateful for this unique experience and can truly recommend this programme to others motivated about global health.
Lena - medical student at Charité Berlin, Germany
I really benefitted from the exchange with colleagues from the majority world, as well as thinkers and students active in Germany. Acknowledging the complexity of engaging deeply with trauma and psychosocial topics, as well as the nuance and care needed to create safer space and shared community, is challenging work. Remaining open to systemic issues of injustice, health and wellbeing inequities, and intersectional vulnerabilities is critical. The school’s working topics demonstrate the messy and compromised process of providing (health)care work in these settings, with its imperfections and unknowns (which is sadly in the worst case actively harmful). In the school setting, participants are here to exchange and learn from each other, with humility and compassion, while promoting those voices and perspectives that are not (often enough) heard and centralised in discussion. This summer school creates space for these exchanges to inspire young professionals in this field, a space which is very much needed.
Victoria - PhD student at GRASP Graduate School, University of Bielefeld, Germany
The 7-day long 2024 Global summer school deepened my understanding on the role of activists and other young people around the world in Human Rights Activism, particularly immigrants and refugees. I loved the diversity that united the participants and the zeal to serve humanity in various capacities. The discussions on Border Migration policies, Refugee rights, the different health systems, trauma sensitization, decolonization and migration politics were quite intriguing. The summer school assembled the best speakers globally with a motivated organizing team. I really look forward to being part of the voices united against inequalities in Global Systems. I welcome us all to future Summer Schools and to support the noble work IPPNW has embarked on. Blessings!
Allan - medical doctor in Nairobi, Kenya
I am very grateful to be a part of the Global Health Summer School 2024 in Berlin. It was such a wonderful experience, having an opportunity to meet new people, who are so eager to be socially engaged. One of the highlights for me was to meet Esther Mujawayo-Keiner, who talked about the genocide in Rwanda. Despite all challenges she stayed strong and resilient. I found it empowering. This topic is very special to me, as my Kyrgyz people have also experienced genocide in 1916 committed by Imperial Russian Army. For me it was important to raise awareness and spread a word about it while being here. I feel motivated and truly inspired by the people, who I have met here. Thank you!
Akylai - human rights activist, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Engagement Global
mit Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung
and Medical Peace Work