Simon Fisher, a sophomore in the Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) program at the School of Public Health, joined five fellow Pitt students at this year’s University of North Carolina American Mock World Health Organization (UNC AMWHO) International Conference in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Hosted by the UNC AMWHO, the conference, held April 5-7, brought together students from across the country to tackle global health issues through diplomacy and debate. Pitt’s chapter of AMWHO was founded by current president and graduating MPH student J. Ashenayi, who was inspired by their involvement in the University of Oklahoma chapter.
This year’s theme, “Bridging Health and Healthcare Disparities between Low, Middle, and High-Income Countries to Achieve Universal Health Coverage,” challenged participants to explore and propose solutions for global inequality in healthcare access. Students represented various countries, with Fisher serving as a delegate for Brazil.
To prepare, delegates submitted position papers outlining their assigned country’s approach to expanding universal health coverage—both domestically and within the respective W.H.O. region. Students participated in three days of debate and drafted resolutions addressing issues that affect many countries around the world.
The conference culminated in awards recognizing outstanding participants. Fisher earned Best Delegate representing the Pan-Americas region, while fellow students Priyanka Iyer (A&S) and Oludara Badero (BSPH) received Best Delegate for the Eastern Mediterranean region and Best Media Representative, respectively.
“It was extremely rewarding to participate in the AMWHO conference again this year, Fisher shared. “It gave me deeper insight into today’s most pressing global health challenges—and how collaborative international action can drive real solutions.”
-Jackie Hathaway