With their deeply rooted community networks and technical expertise, faith-based organizations in the global health sector are uniquely positioned to identify and meet local needs, often reaching remote and marginalized areas others cannot.
And FBOs can do more together than alone. That is why ecumenical partners came together to form IMA World Health in 1960, why we joined with Lutheran World Relief to found the Corus International family in 2020, and why we are proud to be sponsors of the 2021 Christian Connections for International Health Virtual Conference. The conference will bring together a diverse spectrum of FBOs, government actors and industry partners to promote cultivating unity in global health.
The CCIH 2021 Conference will be a series of virtual events held on May 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, and 27 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. U.S. EDT each day. The sessions will focus on hearing from global voices and sharing practical experience and learning, with time set aside to make connections and have meaningful dialogue and fellowship.
On May 11, Dennis Cherian, MHA, MS, BHMS, Corus and IMA’s Associate Vice President and Senior Technical Director for Health and Nutrition, will share reflections in the opening session “Going Further Together: Building Ecumenical and Interfaith Collaboration for Health,” alongside Samuel Mwenda, MD, General Secretary, Christian Health Association of Kenya, and Sally Smith, PhD, Consultant at the World Health Organization and Coordinator for the Anglican Health and Community Network.
On May 18, close partners in IMA’s COVID-19 response through the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform will present, “Applying Lessons from COVID Community Mobilization to Prepare and Respond to Future Disease Outbreaks with Religious Leaders as Health Champions.” The panel will include Kelechi Sarah Utoware, Programme Officer, Christian Health Association of Nigeria; and Kongnyu Emmanuel, RN, BSc, MPH, IPC and WASH Supervisor, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services. The conversation will be moderated by Nkatha Njeru, MPH, Coordinator, ACHAP.
Learn more about our partnership with the Africa Christian Health Associations Platform, Christian Health Associations, and our response to COVID-19 in a recent blog.
See the full program for the conference and be sure to join us online throughout the month of May.