Strengthening global public health through cross-border collaboration: A case study of collaboration between the UK Faculty of Public Health and the College of Public Health Medicine of South Africa
1
UK Faculty of Public Health, London, United Kingdom
2
Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
3
Global Operations, UK Health Security Agency, London, United Kingdom
4
College of Public Health Medicine, Colleges of Medicine South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
5
Western Cape Government, Cape Town, South Africa
6
Public Health, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3527
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In an era of widening global inequities, geopolitical instability and climate risks, public health challenges transcend national borders, requiring sustained collaboration. Professional public health bodies play a critical role in fostering equitable partnerships that strengthen leadership, systems and workforce professionalisation. This session explores the collaboration process between the College of Public Health Medicine of South Africa (CPHM) and UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) as a case study of a long-term, bilateral partnership grounded in mutual learning and shared leadership.
METHODS:
An MoU was first established in 2018 and updated in 2022 as a multi-year, open-ended bilateral agreement. Four core workstreams were co-developed during the second phase of the MoU: (1) public health education and training, focusing on workforce professionalisation and career pathing; (2) global leadership in competency-based education, supporting the development and implementation of the WHO Workforce Roadmap; (3) public health systems and advocacy, to understand roles and enhance collective policy influence; and (4) public health registrar collaboration, to build a global community of practice among early career professionals. Progress has been reviewed through joint governance structures, shared outputs and reflective learning.
RESULTS:
The partnership has resulted in improved understanding of public health systems and governance, delivery of knowledge exchange webinars, joint publications in leading academic journals and shared global leadership on public health workforce development. Central to these achievements has been a commitment to respectful engagement, reciprocal learning, valuing diverse contextual expertise and context-responsive collaboration.
CONCLUSIONS:
This case study demonstrates how formalised, value-driven collaborations between professional public health organisations can support equitable, inclusive and sustainable global partnerships. The session will share practical lessons for senior leaders, policymakers and organisations seeking to establish or strengthen bilateral partnerships that advance public health leadership, workforce development and resilient public health systems, via globally connected and locally relevant approaches.
In an era of widening global inequities, geopolitical instability and climate risks, public health challenges transcend national borders, requiring sustained collaboration. Professional public health bodies play a critical role in fostering equitable partnerships that strengthen leadership, systems and workforce professionalisation. This session explores the collaboration process between the College of Public Health Medicine of South Africa (CPHM) and UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) as a case study of a long-term, bilateral partnership grounded in mutual learning and shared leadership.
METHODS:
An MoU was first established in 2018 and updated in 2022 as a multi-year, open-ended bilateral agreement. Four core workstreams were co-developed during the second phase of the MoU: (1) public health education and training, focusing on workforce professionalisation and career pathing; (2) global leadership in competency-based education, supporting the development and implementation of the WHO Workforce Roadmap; (3) public health systems and advocacy, to understand roles and enhance collective policy influence; and (4) public health registrar collaboration, to build a global community of practice among early career professionals. Progress has been reviewed through joint governance structures, shared outputs and reflective learning.
RESULTS:
The partnership has resulted in improved understanding of public health systems and governance, delivery of knowledge exchange webinars, joint publications in leading academic journals and shared global leadership on public health workforce development. Central to these achievements has been a commitment to respectful engagement, reciprocal learning, valuing diverse contextual expertise and context-responsive collaboration.
CONCLUSIONS:
This case study demonstrates how formalised, value-driven collaborations between professional public health organisations can support equitable, inclusive and sustainable global partnerships. The session will share practical lessons for senior leaders, policymakers and organisations seeking to establish or strengthen bilateral partnerships that advance public health leadership, workforce development and resilient public health systems, via globally connected and locally relevant approaches.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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