Johnson & Johnson, GDI, and Dalberg share new report on reimagining the global health convening

Fundamental shifts are changing global health as we know it, requiring diverse and disruptive groups of people from across sectors to collaborate on solutions. How can a “reimagined” convening most effectively bring these groups together to drive financing and innovation in global health?

A new report titled “Reimagining the Global Health Convening: What’s Next?” inspired by Johnson & Johnson and authored by the Global Development Incubator and Dalberg Global Development Advisors, features the perspectives of over 30 leading thinkers across sectors – from a sustainable finance leader at JPMorgan to a social entrepreneur increasing access to medical oxygen in Kenya – on this question.

2016 in particular saw major changes in the global health convening space, as one critical convening – the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) – wound down, and other new models of convening were tested, including the Financing & Innovation in Global Health (FIGH) forum, supported by Johnson & Johnson and other leading partners.

Together, the void left by CGI and our learnings from FIGH give the global health community the opportunity to step back and consider thoughtfully how to build a better convening. In reflecting on this opportunity, report interviewees shared a common sense of urgency around the need to set catalytic, transformative change in motion. Among other themes, they shared:

• The best convenings avoid becoming echo chambers – a truly diverse group of perspectives in one place can go a long way
• Neglected health challenges benefit enormously from the “stage and spotlight” convenings can offer, especially if events can facilitate connections to new resources
• Openness around failures and lessons learned is critical to a productive convening – safe spaces should be interspersed with opportunities for visibility

It is the report authors’ hope that future convenings can incorporate these and other interview perspectives to more effectively activate participants for change. What do you think a reimagined global health convening should look like? Share your thoughts on Twitter using #FutureConvening.