Sat, 06/04/2011 to Sun, 06/12/2011

International People’s Health University (IPHU) of the People’s Health Movement (PHM) and Social Medicine Journal, PHM-USA Circle, Social Medicine Journal

a short course for health activists

Movement Building through Action for Health

June 4 – 12, 2011

Bronx, NY, USA.

For English or Spanish speakers

Download application

Objectives

International People’s Health University (IPHU) short courses enable those concerned about people’s health in a global context to make new connections, share experiences, study together and become empowered to take action. The New York course will focus on helping participants develop projects and collaborations related to the goals of promoting “Health for All.”

Who should apply?

• Health practitioners and activists, particularly those already involved in the People’s Health Movement (PHM) and who have endorsed the Peoples Charter for Health.
• Younger people, people of color, and community-based activists are particularly encouraged to apply.
• A college degree is not required, but applicants should be prepared to devote time to the pre-course preparation and participate in a high level of study and discussion during the course.
• Applicants should be fluent in English or Spanish.
• The selection of applicants aims to achieve gender balance and a diversity of backgrounds, skills, records of activism, interests, experience, and educational experience.
• For applicants from the USA, preference will be given to those from the eastern half of the country, as we intend to hold other IPHUs in the central and western regions in the future.
• We anticipate accepting 35 students.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes:

• the struggle for health: challenges, strategy and practice, achievements, and new directions
• working with communities
• social determinants of health
• comprehensive primary health care
• the political economy of health, including globalization
• health systems
• the right to health: principles, achievements, and new directions
• people’s health and environmental change
• advocacy strategies and tactics
• program/project/campaign development

Approach to learning

IPHU are taught using a variety of techniques: participatory learning, theoretical understanding, hands-on activities, and learning as a community. We aim to

• heighten awareness of the importance of a developmental approach to health that focuses on social determinants, equity, social justice, and the right to health
• provide information on key issues, key documents, and strategies
• raise awareness of the need for a long term commitment for change
• build on the experience, knowledge and skills of the participants
• sharpen participant’s skills to make a shift from theory to action
• develop tools and techniques to become effective agents for change
• build networks for ongoing action involving the participants in the IPHU, as well as key organizations and networks that can sustain each other in the ongoing struggle for health

Registration Fees

• There is no charge for applying to the IPHU.
• Registration fees include accommodation, meals, and transportation in New York, course documents, tea and coffee. They do not include airfare or ground transportation from your hometown to New York City, nor optional expenses (such as for excursions to NYC).
• The course uses a sliding scale fee structure to help subsidize participation.
• Fee structure
  • Students and individuals with incomes under $50,000 per year: $50.
  • Unsponsored participants with incomes over $50,000 per year: $300.
  • Additional scholarships may be available to help defray travel costs for some participants. More information is provided on the application form.

Venue

• Most activities will take place at the Maryknoll Lay Missioners Retreat in Ossining, New York.  Participants will be housed at the retreat.
• Field trips to community projects in New York City will be included.
• On Friday, June 10^th, participants will present their work at a conference on Health Activism at Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Course Structure

• We ask applicants to present a concept paper (1-2 pages long) outlining a project related to the aims of health for all.  The course is designed to help participants develop these concept papers into real projects primarily through intensive mentoring in small groups.  More information about the concept paper is presented in the application.
• In addition to the project, other parts of the curriculum will be delivered in workshops, site visits, conversations and lectures. We will draw upon the PHM’s rich international network of activists and scholars to teach these materials.
• Students will have a chance to present the work they have done on their project at a conference on Friday, June 10^th. They will get formal feedback from an expert in their field with experience in activism.
• Living and interacting together for a week is an important part of the curriculum.

Application Process

• Download application here. Application can be also found at www.socialmedicine.org/iphu2011.
• Applications must be submitted by April 11, 2011.
• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, so that earlier applications are more likely to be successful.
• All applicants will receive a response by April 25^th.
• Mail the completed applications as an attached document to Bronx.IPHU[at]gmail.com.

Contacts

• If you have any concerns about the application, please contact Ms. Suzanne Small-Cain at Bronx.IPHU[at]gmail.com
• For inquiries please contact the PHM USA at phm[at]turiano.org.

About

The People’s Health Movement (PHM) is global movement with roots deep in grassroots people’s movements around the world. It owes its genesis to many health networks and activists who have been concerned by the growing inequities in health over the last 25 years. The PHM calls for a revitalization of the principles of the Alma-Ata Declaration, which promised Health for All by the year 2000 and complete revision of the international and domestic policies that have impacted negatively on health status and systems. The People’s Health Movement is coordinated by a global secretariat and is supported by a steering council.

• Contact: globalsecretariat[at]phmovement.org
• Web: www.phmovement.org

The International People’s Health University (IPHU) is one of the major programs of the People’s Health Movement (PHM). IPHU is a global learning program, providing short courses and other resources for health activists.