ABSTRACT:
1. Introduction The world faces intersecting crises mainly impacting Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), especially in Africa. These issues cross borders and sectors, emphasizing the need for health diplomacy, multisectoral negotiations, and fair global governance. Health diplomacy is no longer just for diplomats; public health experts, clinicians, civil society, and policymakers now need to negotiate across ministries and countries, often amid power imbalances. However, practical opportunities to practice health diplomacy, especially those aligned with African priorities, remain limited. 2. Aims and Objectives This session aims to strengthen applied health diplomacy skills among global public health professionals through immersive negotiation simulations grounded in African health system realities and global health governance challenges. 2.1. Learning Objectives 2.1.1. Apply core principles of health diplomacy in complex, multi-actor global health negotiations 2.1.2. Analyse power dynamics, equity considerations, and competing interests in global health decision-making 2.1.3. Practise negotiation, coalition-building, and consensus development across sectors and countries 2.1.4. Reflect on how the African perspective can shape a fairer, more equitable way forward for global health governance 3. Proposed session structure (1 hour) 3.1 Introduction and framing of scenarios (5 minutes) 3.2 Breakout negotiation simulation (25 minutes) 3.3 Feedback and Reflections (25 minutes) 3.4 Summary and key take-aways (5 minutes) 4. Methodological approach 4.1 Role-play-based negotiation simulations 4.2 Facilitated small group deliberations 4.3 Real-time consensus-building exercises 4.4 Plenary synthesis linking practice to policy 5. Target Audience • Public Health professionals/researchers/diplomats • Policymakers/government officials • Civil society /advocacy actors • Early- and Mid-career professionals interested in global health governance 6. Conclusion In a world confronting global health crises, international negotiation, collaboration, and leadership are vital. Highlighting African leadership and innovation, the session promotes equity-driven diplomacy, offers transferable negotiation skills to health professionals, and strives for a more just, inclusive global health order.