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Be the Change - Think Global, Act Local

‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’ – Mahatma Ghandi

EDUCATE, ENGAGE, EMPOWER

Global health is an immensely broad and exciting area. The extent that people suffer poor health and wellbeing can at times feel overwhelming. The 2010 Global Health Conference theme ‘Small Steps, Big Picture’ is an important reminder of our power as individuals to effect change on a global scale. As Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu dares us:

"Do your little bit of good where you are: It's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world."

The following is a practical guide to transform your energy into effective action and realise the vision of social justice and health for all. This guide describes practical strategies and also links resources in some more specific areas of global health.

BE THE CHANGE – Think Global Act Local

  • Join your local health group. Your Global Health Group (GHG) allows you to connect with other students who want to promote in social justice and health. Many GHGs run successful programs that focus on: education; advocacy; fundraising; and direct support for developing communities. GHGs allow you to maximise your impact in the medical student community, and far beyond!

  • Join with others. There are loads of other organisations that focus on areas on global health, from large NGOs to small grassroots organisations. You can become member, donate or volunteer. Some specific organisations are listed below.

  • Global Health is BIG. Narrow your focus to an area of global health or a particular project. Set goals and specify timeframes to achieve them. Global health areas on which you may wish to focus, include: climate change; development; Indigenous health; human rights; asylum seeker health; sexual and reproductive health; and conflict.

  • Speak Up Against Prejudice. it’s so easy and it really makes a difference.

  • Blog, Tweet, or Facebook. Post about health and social justice issues online to keep them in people’s minds.

  • Be informed. Stay up to date with global health issues.

  • Sign on to a campaign. This is a fast and effective way to maximise the impact of a campaign and to keep up to date with current issues. Many organisations run online campaigns and you can subscribe for regular notifications. Check out: GetUp, Oxfam, Stir and Avaaz.

  • Write to an Autralian and interntional leaders. It takes a little more time than signing a standardised campaign letter, but the extra effort is well worth it! The extra effort that it takes to write a personal letter makes leaders take notice that you really care. Many organizations have online advice about letter writing; Amnesty International is a particularly good resource. Most standardised campaigns also include all the information you need to write your letter.

  • Write to newspapers or call radio chat shows. Help to spread awareness about your global health issue, advance understanding and create further agents of change.

  • Attend an event. It’s a fun way to meet people, learn more and become a more effective advocate. Watch out for events in your locale organised by your GHG and other global health groups.

  • Organise an event. it helps you to learn more about your issue, build skills, establish contacts and make friends. You can choose to focus on education, fundraising, skills building, policy writing or advocacy. And it’s never hard to have fun!

  • Hit the street. Demonstrations can be a powerful way to seek positive change and also promote awareness.

  • Meet with your local MP. Their job is to represent you and your concerns. Face to face contact is one of the most effective ways to impress the importance of global health. Use democracy for the sake of those who cannot. It may help to write out the main points you want to convey and to bring along a someone else who is interested and experienced in your cause.

Resources

Check out the resources in the area of global health that interests you. Some are great educational resources and others are opportunities for action!

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