Sustainable Development from a Christian Perspective | June 17-19, 2016 | Johns Hopkins University
The faith community has enormous potential to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and drive lasting change in the lives of millions across the globe. At the 30th Annual CCIH Conference, we will explore how Christians are contributing to sustainable development and enacting lasting change.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Family Planning Pre-Conference: Overcoming Cultural, Religious and Social Barriers to Family Planning and Providing an Update on FP Contraceptive Methods
This session explored through discussion and problem solving, what is stopping us from providing family planning – is it our families, our church, our communities, our staff? How are we moving forward to address these barriers? This session also explored what is new in family planning, and updates on family planning commodities.
Douglas Huber, MD, MSc | Concise Contraceptive Update for Health Impact and New Partnerships | PowerPoint
Henry Mosley, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health | Faith and Family Planning | PowerPoint
Opening Plenary
Christians and Sustainability
Now more than ever Christian communities and global health workers are in a unique and vital position to participate in sustainable development. The new Global Goals can help us prioritize efforts and seek to influence systems toward better human health and well-being. We will explore what elements make development sustainable and what that means for Christians. We will also discuss how to prioritize goals based on theological calls to action and to creatively express our belief in God as Sustainer, Reconciler, and Healer while working in the global health field.
Moderator: Pauline Muchina, PhD, UMC-GBCS Healthy Families Healthy Planet
Speakers:
Doug Fountain, Vice President, Operations Support, Medical Teams International | PowerPoint
Daniel O’Neill, MD, Managing Editor, Christian Journal for Global Health | PowerPoint
Karen Sichinga, Executive Director, Churches Health Association of Zambia
Watch the video of the opening plenary session
History of the CCIH Conference
Founding CCIH members Connie Gates, MPH and Frank Baer, DrPH tell the story of how the CCIH conference began, the origins of the name “CCIH”, and how the conference has evolved through the years. Watch the Video
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Plenary Session 2
Saving Lives of Mothers and Children: An Interactive Panel Session
Moderator: Alfonso Rosales, MD, Senior Advisor for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, World Vision
Speakers:
Lisa Firth, MB, BS, MPH, Health Technical Advisor, Salvation Army World Service Office | PowerPoint
Victoria Graham, Senior Technical Advisor, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Global Health, USAID | PowerPoint
Cindy Uttley, RN, MSN, CNM, Community Health Advisor, Samaritan’s Purse | PowerPoint
Lauren VanEnk, MPH, Program Officer, Institute for Reproductive Health at Georgetown University | PowerPoint
Watch the video of Plenary Session 2
Breakout Sessions 1: Three Sessions Running Concurrently
Session A: Sustainability of Wholistic Health through Empowerment
The Comprehensive Rural Health Project in Jamkhed, India has pioneered a comprehensive, community-based primary health care approach since 1970. It builds the capacity of communities to address their own problems through assessment, analysis and action, which empowers individuals and communities. The approach lends itself to a focus on the poor and marginalized, including women and children, enhancing sustainability.
Moderator: Amy Hewitt, Partner Development Manager, International Aid
Speakers:
Connie Gates, MPH, International Training Coordinator, Jamkhed International Institute for Training & Research in Community Health & Development, Jamkhed, India | PowerPoint
Lavanya Madhusudan, Jamkhed International, North America | PowerPoint
Julia Ann Queale, Jamkhed International, North America
Session B: Tapping into Local Communities and Networks to Address HIV/AIDS and Trauma
SIL LEAD uses the power of simple narrative in the local language to address the effects of trauma and help those affected by HIV/AIDS through integrating accurate health information with Biblical principles, using drama and song. Recognizing the potential of the untapped network of the local church, World Relief organized churches in a USAID-funded program in Mozambique to provide physical, psycho-social and informational support to 13,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, with promising results regarding reach and sustainability. The Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ) has successfully engaged Traditional Initiators and pre-marriage counselors to look at the relevance of rites of passage to issues such as HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence.
Moderator: Ronald Mataya, MD, Associate Professor of Global Health, Loma Linda University School of Public Health
Speakers:
Kathie Watters, MA, BSN, Senior Scripture Engagement Consultant, SIL International | PowerPoint with Audio
Allison Flynn, MPH, Health Advisor, World Relief | PowerPoint with Audio
Yoram Siame, MPH, MSc, Advocacy and Policy Director, Churches Health Association of Zambia | PowerPoint
Session C: Partnerships to Equip Communities to Fight Disease and Extreme Poverty
Over the past 10 years, Heartbeat for Africa has evolved from focusing on short-term missions in West Africa to broader-based sustainable development, while remaining evangelical in overall mission. Today, it partners with other organizations to build capacity in Africa in micro-enterprise development, water and sanitation, community health and women’s empowerment. International Care Ministries is reaching the ultrapoor in the Philippines through partnering with local pastors to teach disease prevention, financial literacy and skills to develop into entrepreneurs and break the cycle of extreme poverty. Finally, the Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network (EPN) forges partnerships to equip EPN members with the tools they need to address antimicrobial resistance and non-communicable diseases in-countries.
Moderator: Bob Blees, Vice President, SIM USA
Speakers:
Ron Pust, MD, Medical Faculty, University of Arizona; Heartbeat for Africa, Board Member | PowerPoint
Milton B. Amayun, MD, MPH, Senior Advisor, Institutional Resources, International Care Ministries | PowerPoint
Mirfin Mpundu, PharmD, MPH, MBA, Executive Director, Ecumenical Pharmaceutical Network | PowerPoint
Breakout Sessions 2: Three Sessions Running Concurrently
Session A: Engaging Communities and Religious Leaders to Promote Healthy Behaviors for Mothers and Infants
A World Renew project in Bangladesh to address poor maternal and newborn health uses community members to promote healthy behaviors through home visits. The project focused on values linked to spirituality and beliefs that could be leveraged to help the community embrace positive attitudes to change behavior. The Christian Health Association of Kenya engaged religious leaders and community health volunteers to educate communities and reverse low uptake of family planning in two counties in Kenya, with dramatic positive results.
Moderator: Douglas Huber, MD, MSc, Consultant and Co-Chair, CCIH FP/RH Working Group
Speakers:
Alan Talens, MD, MPH, Health Advisor, World Renew | PowerPoint
Jane Kishoyian, MPH, Family Planning Coordinator, Christian Health Association of Kenya | PowerPoint
Watch the video of Session 2A
Session B: Churches Take on Chronic and Infectious Diseases: Exploring Initiatives with Impact
The incidence of cancer and other chronic diseases is on the rise, and faith-based organizations can help. The Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Service dramatically increased HPV vaccine uptake and cervical cancer screening through a program to screen mothers while vaccinating daughters in the same visit. IMA World Health partners with local organizations in Tanzania to integrate HIV/AIDS and cervical cancer prevention and treatment at the health facility level and create a strong linkage of patient referrals. At the community level IMA conducts mass screenings and outreach. Finally, we will explore what church initiatives have had the greatest impact on chronic disease prevention.
Moderator: David Olson, Social Marketing and Communications Expert, Olson Global Communications
Speakers:
Simon Manga, MS, BSN, Supervisor of Women’s Health Program, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services | PowerPoint
Evan Novalis, MA, Program Associate, IMA World Health | PowerPoint
Pamela Mukaire, DrPH, Executive Director for Resources for Improving Birth Outcomes (RIBO) and Faculty Member, Liberty University
Session C: Christian Networks and Education – A Pathway to Health for the Disabled
A network of India’s leading Christian faith agencies serving 100 million people are working together to promote disability inclusion. Through trainings, new resources, and inclusive policies, churches, pastors, and NGOs are making a difference in the lives of some of India’s most marginalized citizens. In Malawi, disabilities are often attributed to the supernatural, resulting in poor treatment and neglect of disabled children. Kingdom Workers partners with the Lutheran Church in Malawi to train church leaders to educate communities, changing attitudes and lifting up the disabled. On a global level, inclusive education for children with disabilities would provide access to general health care, such as vaccines, screening and nutritional support, resulting in a number of emotional and social benefits.
Moderator: Richard Stellway, PhD, Facilitator, Children, AIDS and Adversity Forum, Community Vision International
Speakers:
Nathan Grills, MD, PhD, Public Health Physician, Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne University
Jason Paltzer, PhD, MPH Global Health Director, Kingdom Workers | PowerPoint
Natalie Flickner, MA, Worldwide Evangelization for Christ
Plenary Session 3
Effective Partnerships with FBOs to Fight Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases and Advance Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development is critical to improve the health and well-being for all people and to end poverty. Policies and strategies must hinge on effective engagement of local and international stakeholders to leverage resources; build stronger and sustainable health systems; and to achieve broader and improved health outcomes. FBOs have historically been a major stakeholder in providing health services and through a variety of partnerships with MOHs, academic institutions, secular organizations and other FBOs, especially in getting health care to millions of underserved vulnerable populations in low resource and isolated settings. The session will bring a well-rounded perspective on this topic to stimulate an engaging discussion.
Moderator: Amy Christine Gopp, MDiv, Vice President of External Relations, IMA World Health
Speakers:
Samuel Mwenda, MD, Executive Director, Christian Health Association of Kenya | PowerPoint
Franklin C. Baer, DrPH, Senior Advisor, IMA World Health | PowerPoint
Jean Duff, MPH, MA, Faith for International Assistance | PowerPoint
Watch the video of Plenary Session 3
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Worship and Plenary Session 4
Faith Journeys
Three high-level leaders in global health and development will share stories of their personal faith journeys and how their careers and faith have intersected. We will hear from Ambassador and Former Congressman Tony Hall, Executive Director Emeritus for the Alliance to End Hunger, Dick Day, Regional Director for Africa, U.S. Peace Corps, and Phyllis Joy Mukaire, MA, Development Consultant and former Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Sudan.
Moderator: Anne Peterson, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President, AmeriCares
Speakers:
Ambassador and Executive Director Emeritus Tony P. Hall, Alliance to End Hunger
Dick Day, MSc, Regional Director for Africa, U.S. Peace Corps
Phyllis Joy Mukaire, MA, Development Consultant
Watch the video of Plenary Session 4
Breakout Sessions 3: Three Sessions Running Concurrently
Session A: Health Systems Strengthening through Faith, Innovation and Vigilance
Patient safety is key to providing quality healthcare. The Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau used a six-step cyclical process to enhance patient safety at one of its hospitals, revealing that faith is also critical to maintaining high-quality practices in its facilities. The Zimbabwe Association of Church-related Hospitals has used innovative techniques to address resource challenges and maintain sustainability as it provides technical assistance to Mission hospitals and care to people with limited access in rural areas. Christian health networks have been key players in health systems development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and are well-positioned to manage major projects. Hear how FBOs can serve as grant managers for large health systems strengthening projects.
Moderator: Malonga Miatudila, MD, MPH, President, SANRU
Speakers:
Tonny Tumwesigye, MD, Executive Director, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau | PowerPoint
Vuyelwa Tenjiwe Sidile-Chitimbire, MSc, MBA, Executive Director at the Zimbabwe Association of Church-related Hospitals | PowerPoint
Albert Kalonji, MD, MPH, Technical Director, SANRU | PowerPoint
Watch the video of Breakout Session 3A
Session B: Family Planning – Religious Communities as Educators, Providers and Promoters
Some faith leaders in Benin continue to discourage use of modern contraceptives, and the country struggles with a high number of unintended pregnancies. The Christian organization Espoir de la Famille is addressing this by engaging religious leaders in family planning promotion, mobilizing peer educators to raise awareness, and using radio pieces in local languages. World Vision’s Channels of Hope program brings together Christian and Muslim faith leaders to understand how the Bible and Qu’ran support maternal and child health, reproductive health and gender equality. Three Catholic organizations in Rwanda and Uganda are addressing the high maternal mortality rates in these countries by expanding access to family planning services and offering a package of fertility awareness methods consistent with the Catholic Church’s teaching on natural family planning.
Moderator: Ray Martin, MPH, Executive Director Emeritus, Christian Connections for International Health
Speakers:
Reverend Ahouantchede Cesar, Executive Director, Espoir de la famille in Benin | PowerPoint with Audio
Andrea Kaufmann, Senior Technical Advisor, Channels of Hope, World Vision | PowerPoint with Audio
Lauren VanEnk, MPH, Program Officer, Institute for Reproductive Health | PowerPoint with Audio
Session C: The Language, Research and Knowledge Necessary for Excellence in Service Delivery
Providing health care is the foundation of our work, but there is so much behind the actual delivery of services and information, including research, language understanding and knowledge. As one of the few international NGOs to focus on local language development, SIL has contributed to the successful implementation of hundreds of health, development and ministry programs by helping make life-altering health education understandable by local communities.
The Internet can be a dismaying cave of treasures for Americans and a disappointing dead end for our colleagues overseas when looking for public health information. Jean Sack has numerous searching skills and specific databases to share beyond the free HINARI (WHO Health Information Network). The quantity of work done by Christians in global health is a valuable source for research and peer-reviewed papers, yet navigating the many steps it takes to publish in academic journals is timely and often difficult. The Christian Journal for Global Health will share its plans to help Christians publish their work and share with the greater community.
Moderator: Elliott Larson, MD , Consultant, Christian Journal for Global Health
Speakers:
Barbara Trudell, PhD, Area Literacy Coordinator, SIL Africa | PowerPoint
Jean Sack, MLS, Library Consultant, Jhpiego | PowerPoint
Nathan Grills, MD, PhD, Christian Journal for Global Health | PowerPoint
Breakout Sessions 4: Three Sessions Running Concurrently
Session A: Expanding Post-Ebola Resiliency and Recovery through Faith Communities
The Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone left many survivors with post-traumatic stress. The Adventist Relief and Development Agency (ADRA International) and Loma Linda University used a train-the-trainer approach to develop leaders in faith communities in a technique known as the Community Resiliency Model (CRM) to address the effects of the trauma. CRM is based in neuroscience principles to reset the central nervous system and alleviate symptoms of post-traumatic stress and loss.
Moderator: Lance Plyler, MD, Medical Director, International Disaster Response Unit, Samaritan’s Purse
Speakers:
Beverly J. Buckles, MSW, DSW, Dean of the School of Behavioral Health, Loma Linda University; Vice-President of Behavioral Health Education, Loma Linda University Health System | PowerPoint
Donn Gaede, DrPH, CPH, Executive Director, Adventist Health International
Elizabeth Tomenko, MPH, Emergency Programs Assistant, Emergency Management Department, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International| PowerPoint
Session B: Innovations in Maternal and Child Health through Religious Leaders and Community Volunteers
Religious leaders and community-based volunteers can greatly increase the capacity of organizations to educate communities on life-saving behaviors. World Faiths Development Dialogue has collaborated with a multifaith group of religious leaders with influence at the national level in Senegal to promote maternal and child health and build consensus on family planning. In Uganda, an awareness raising campaign involving 80 religious leaders, 31 health workers and 117 volunteers led by the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau resulted in dramatic uptake of all methods of family planning. To improve child nutrition In Cameroon, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services has trained nutrition advisors to educate the community to increase exclusive breastfeeding and reduce the risk of stunting.
Moderator: Nancy Pendarvis Harris, MPH, Vice President, John Snow Inc., Vice President, JSI Research and Training Institute
Speakers:
Lauren Herzog, MA, Program Coordinator, World Faiths Development Dialogue | PowerPoint
Tonny Tumwesigye, MD, MPH, Executive Director, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau | PowerPoint
Kate Reinsma, DrPH, Nutrition Advisor, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services | PowerPoint
Session C: Q & A on Today’s Global Health Crises
Christians and all global health professionals face a variety of crises today, from attention-grabbing global health threats such as the Zika virus to the broad-reaching physical and psychological effects suffered by political refugees. Other crises garner little attention, like the current drought in eastern Africa. This interactive session will address your questions on today’s current and emerging threats and how Christians are responding and what more we can do to bring health and healing in a sustainable manner.
Moderator: Doug Fountain, Vice President for Operations Support, Medical Teams International
Speakers:
Trina Helderman, MD, MPH, Emergency Response Team Health and Nutrition Advisor, Medair | PowerPoint
Anne Peterson, MD, MPH, Senior Vice President of Programs, AmeriCares | PowerPoint
Presentation of Christian International Health Champion Award
The CCIH Christian International Health Champion Award recognizes an individual who has dedicated his or her life to global health from a Christian perspective, made significant contributions to the field and to the development of CCIH.
Presented by Henry Mosley, MD, MPH, Professor Emeritus in the Population, Family and Reproductive Health and International Health Departments at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Mosley is the 2015 recipient of the CCIH Christian International Health Champion Award.
Watch the video of the award presentation
Closing Plenary Session
Living Our Faith through Pandemic Prevention and Strong Public Health Systems
Christians are called to respond to people in need, which often takes the form of crisis response. Planning and preparing for crises and building strong systems that can prevent or help respond quickly to disasters or disease outbreaks is necessary for global health professionals. From Ebola to the Zika Virus, the world is encountering pathogens that require quick action and strong public health systems to treat the sick and prevent further spread.
Moderator: Laura van Vuuren, Former CCIH Board Chair and Independent Consultant
Speaker: Jonathan Quick, MD, CEO, Management Sciences for Health | PowerPoint
Watch the video of the Closing Plenary Session