Qualities and Functions of International Advisors on Global Health Dr. Fernando R. K. Zacarías GHIA Meaning and spirit of “GHIA”  Global Health: a domain of study, research, and practice that gives priority to the improvement of health and health equity for all people across the world (Koplan, 2009)  International: existing, involving or carried on between two or more nations (Oxford)  Advisor: someone who gives advice, guidance, mentoring; typically an expert in a particular domain (Merriam Webster) POINTS OF THIS PRESENTATION  What is an advisor? (qualities and requirements)  How does an advisor think? (utilization of « intelligence »)  What does an advisor do? (functions and strategies)  Where does an advisor work? (scenarios)  What is an advisor’s mission? (raison d'être) A CHANGING REALITY Demographic changes  Epidemiological transition  Urbanization  New technologies  Access to information  Democratization  Globalization  Human rights  Health systems and services  Biological, economic, social, political and environmental determinants of health  DIFFERENT SCENARIOS Geography and demographics  Acute vs. chronic problems  Multiplicity of problems in the same location  Cultural factors  Capacity of response at local and national levels  Actors and agents of technical and financial cooperation and their interactions  QUALITIES OF GOOD ADVISORS  Knowledge  Energy  Experience  Communication  Commitment  Persuasion  Responsibility  Resilience  Empathy  Humility  Passion  Patience HOW DOES AN ADVISOR THINK? (UTILIZATION OF « INTELLIGENCE")  Critical intelligence Is there a problem or not?  Analytical intelligence Why is this a problem? What is its etiology?  Problem-solving intelligence Is it possible and feasible to solve it? How? When? Who? With what?  Creative intelligence Think, imagine, invent, adapt, adopt, transform  Emotional intelligence Intuition, perception, empathy WHAT DOES AN ADVISOR DO? Advises on and catalyses:  Problem identification  Decision-making  Planning, implementation and evaluation  Advocacy  Mobilization of resources  Training and education  Transfer of technology and methods  Production of knowledge  Information dissemination WHERE SHOULD AN ADVISOR WORK?  In an « ivory tower »?  In the field?  In both? WHAT IS AN INTERNATIONAL ADVISOR’S MISSION? To be an agent of change who responds effectively to a changing reality to solve problems in different scenarios, thereby contributing to better health and welfare of people across the world. GHIA What is GHIA? “A ship that we are building as we sail.”