Published April 16, 2013, last updated on April 9, 2018
By Carolyn Kent, T’08 and Richard Bartlett, IPIHD Associate Director
As video footage of the earth from outer space scrolled across the screen, NASA astronaut Ron Garan challenged everyone to realize, “if we can fly to the moon and back, we can work together to create real change and live in a world where nobody dies of preventable diseases. Nothing is impossible.”
Garan’s presentation was one of many inspiring discussions that took place as part of the first Symposium on Scaling Global Health Innovations hosted by the Social Entrepreneurship Accelerator at Duke (SEAD) on April 5, in which global health leaders from across campus came together with health care entrepreneurs.
Panelists and keynote speakers from USAID, Investors’ Circle and Duke reinforced the need to redefine traditional concepts about international development, partnerships, aid, and impact to collaboratively support efforts that truly make strides in global health. Closing keynote speaker Ariel Pablos-Mendéz, Assistant Administrator for Global Health at USAID, praised USAID’s partnership with Duke and emphasized that Duke’s “research, imagination, and spirit of entrepreneurship will be critical for us [USAID] to both fill the knowledge gaps, but more importantly, to go out into the field and make a difference.”
The Symposium celebrated the launch of SEAD, a trailblazing initiative that creates interdisciplinary approaches to tackle pressing challenges in global health and international development.
SEAD brings together interdisciplinary partners through a coordinated effort across Duke and leverages institutional relationships and networks to create an integrated global health social entrepreneurship hub for diverse stakeholders across the globe. Funded by USAID through the Higher Education Solutions Network, SEAD is a joint initiative aiming to provide social entrepreneurs in global health with the knowledge, systems, and networks needed to succeed. Through this program, SEAD will capture lessons learned and policy implications to ensure that its work impacts both entrepreneurs on the ground and the broader development community.
Thirteen inspiring organizations make up the first SEAD cohort, and provided innovative health solutions ranging from mobile technologies that save lives to health clinics that provide efficient, high-quality, low-cost care.
Prior to the event, the innovators participated in intensive workshops led by faculty and staff from across Duke, as well as Investors’ Circle, to start the work of the accelerator to scale-up proven social enterprises around the world.
The SEAD Symposium was the first of many opportunities for students, global health leaders, and innovators to connect and work together through Duke. The Symposium is a wonderful example that, “global partnerships are part of Duke’s DNA” as Dr. Michael Merson, Director of the Duke Global Health Institute, stated in his opening remarks.
View photos from the event here: http://flic.kr/ps/2rKnQH .
The SEAD Symposium was the first of many opportunities for students, global health leaders, and innovators to connect and work together through Duke.
