PARES Young Delegates Blog

The PARES (Building Partnerships for Resilience) NIHR Global Health Research Group was delighted to be able to send a group of researchers to the 8th Global Symposium on Health Systems research (HSR2024) in the culturally rich and historically significant city of Nagasaki, Japan. Three of the group’s early careers staff share their experiences and explain why they found the opportunity to present their work and engage with other delegates profoundly transformational.  

The symposium’s  theme—“Centering People and Protecting the Planet”— and its themes of community engagement, health equity, and innovative resilience-building strategies aligned closely with PARES's mission to build inclusive, community-led, and climate-resilient health systems.

Opportunities to learn and interact

Ms Gelila Abraham, a doctoral research student at Jimma University, Ethiopia, says

“As a doctoral student, I was eager to engage with experts and practitioners from around the world who share my passion for strengthening health systems in the face of environmental challenges.

One of the most enriching aspects of the symposium was the opportunity to meet fellow researchers and professionals from around the globe. My conversations with colleagues from diverse backgrounds were enlightening and refreshing, as we shared challenges, solutions, and best practices from our respective fields. These new friendships and networks will undoubtedly enrich my research and professional journey going forward.”

Ms. Adelaine Aryaija-Karemani, Research Fellow at Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda, describes her participation as a “journey where ideas coverged, passions ignited, and lessons were plentiful.”

Ms. Edith Ngunjiri, strategic partnerships manager at Blue Ventures INGO based in Kenya, notes “it was a great opportunity for me to share with other implementers and researchers results from our study and to learn more and see how different stakeholders were working towards strengthening health systems as part of climate and crisis response.”

A highlight was the PARES Organised Panel Session Community-Led Strategies to Build Climate-Resilient Health Systems – What Works? at which they presented their work.

Gelila noted how “Sharing our findings and experiences in this global forum not only validated our work but also contributed to a collective knowledge base that can be utilized by other regions similarly affected by environmental catastrophes.”

Commenting on the “exemplary opportunity for learning and networking” that the conference provided, Adelaine shared that “the candid discussions on power dynamics in decision-making and amplifying local voices left me feeling energized and committed.”

Take away insights from the Symposium

Adelaine and Edith share their top takeaways:

Inspiration from Global Perspectives

The beauty of HSR2024 was the diversity of experiences. From flood mitigation measures in Madagascar to drought interventions in Ethiopia, I observed how common difficulties may foster collaborative solutions. A notable learning was the application of geospatial mapping in health risk assessments.

Interdisciplinary and Intersectoral Collaboration Is Imperative

I was often reminded that no single discipline can address the many concerns at the intersection of health and climate. PARES has always embraced collaboration, but this symposium underscored the necessity of broadening our networks. Public health specialists, geographers, climate scientists, and community leaders must come together, not just as colleagues but as co-creators of solutions.

When crises such as cyclones and floods occur, their effects are felt across sectors and it’s important that we have for example the health sector working closely with the agricultural and transport sectors not only during crises but also before crises for effective planning and preparedness.

Communities are key to health systems strengthening and crisis response.

It’s important for all stakeholders to involve the community not only when a crisis occurs but to build their capacity through training and community empowerment activities for them to be well prepared when a crisis occurs.

Reconceiving Resilience

Before this symposium, I saw resilience largely as the ability to “bounce back.” But the discussions at HSR2024 challenged me to think bigger. Resilience involves enabling communities to foresee, adjust, and evolve in response to adversity. It is not just reactive but also proactive.

Finally, outside the conference halls, Gelila noted the profound insights provided by a visit to the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum: “The museum served as a powerful reminder of the need for resilience, not just in health systems but in societies at large. It presented an evocative narrative of suffering, survival, and healing emphasizing the importance of building systems capable of addressing both immediate health needs and long-term recovery.”

Vision and vigour for the future

The Symposium fuelled the commitment and purpose of all our PARES delegates.

Gelila shared that “The convergence of my dissertation focus with the symposium's overarching themes, combined with my personal journey through the streets of Nagasaki, provided me with renewed energy and commitment towards my research. As I embark on the next chapter of my academic career, the insights gained, friendships formed, and experiences enjoyed will resonate as guiding lights, enriching my contributions to the health systems field and beyond.

As we move forward in an ever-changing world, it is moments where ideas converge, cultures intersect, and solutions are born that can inspire the next wave of innovations in health systems. I am incredibly grateful to have been part of this global conversation and hopeful about the possibilities that lie ahead.”

Adelaine highlighted how “HSR2024 left me with a fire in my belly and a renewed sense of purpose. As I return to Uganda, I am more determined than ever to champion the principles that underpin this symposium: justice, sustainability, and people-centered solutions.” And has a message for other early careers researchers and staff:

“If there’s one thing I learned at HSR2024, it’s that the future belongs to the bold, the curious, and the collaborative. We might be early in our careers, but our voices matter. The work we do—whether it’s writing a manuscript, designing a project, or presenting at a global symposium—has the power to spark change.

So here’s my advice: Dream big, stay curious, and always bring others along for the journey. Together, we can build health systems that don’t just survive crises but thrive through them.

The work continues. Let’s build resilience together.”