KEY SPEAKERS
ARUNA ROY
MAZDOOR KISAN SHAKTI SANGATHANA, INDIA
Aruna Roy is an Indian social activist who co-founded the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana (MKSS), a social and grassroots organization for the empowerment of workers and peasants. A supporter of the movement for public access to information and a prominent leader of the Right to Information Movement, Roy has played a key role in incorporating strong citizen entitlements in the Right to Information Act and National Rural Employment Guarantee Acts. A nationwide grassroots campaign launched by MKSS led to a national right-to-information law being approved by India's parliament in 2005. The RTI opened a way for the exposure of the corrupt practices in the government to the public. She was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2000.
MAZDOOR KISAN SHAKTI SANGATHANA, INDIA
Aruna Roy is an Indian social activist who co-founded the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathana (MKSS), a social and grassroots organization for the empowerment of workers and peasants. A supporter of the movement for public access to information and a prominent leader of the Right to Information Movement, Roy has played a key role in incorporating strong citizen entitlements in the Right to Information Act and National Rural Employment Guarantee Acts. A nationwide grassroots campaign launched by MKSS led to a national right-to-information law being approved by India's parliament in 2005. The RTI opened a way for the exposure of the corrupt practices in the government to the public. She was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 2000.
JONATHAN FOX
ACCOUNTABILITY RESEARCH CENTRE (ARC)- AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, USA
Jonathan Fox teaches development studies at the School of International Service at American University, where he directs the Accountability Research Center (ARC).He has held various fellowships and also served as faculty of different institutes. His current research focuses on accountability reforms around the world. His long-term work on Mexican rural development includes collaboration with the public interest website subsidiosalcampo.org.mx, and partnerships with civic groups that monitor social and agricultural policies, as well as rural municipal governance. His research interests include transparency and accountability, democratization, social movements, social and environmental policy, transnational civil society, immigration, race, ethnicity and youth studies. His teaching focuses on policy reform, public interest advocacy and collective action for public accountability.
ACCOUNTABILITY RESEARCH CENTRE (ARC)- AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, USA
Jonathan Fox teaches development studies at the School of International Service at American University, where he directs the Accountability Research Center (ARC).He has held various fellowships and also served as faculty of different institutes. His current research focuses on accountability reforms around the world. His long-term work on Mexican rural development includes collaboration with the public interest website subsidiosalcampo.org.mx, and partnerships with civic groups that monitor social and agricultural policies, as well as rural municipal governance. His research interests include transparency and accountability, democratization, social movements, social and environmental policy, transnational civil society, immigration, race, ethnicity and youth studies. His teaching focuses on policy reform, public interest advocacy and collective action for public accountability.
BEZWADA WILSON,
SAFAI KARAMCHARI ANDOLAN (SKA), INDIA
Bezwada Wilson is an Indian activist and one of the founders and national convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA ), a human rights organization that has been campaigning for the eradication of manual scavenging, its construction, operation and employment of manual scavengers which has been illegal in India since 1993. The biggest landmark of Wilson's work has been the enactment of Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Since the time of the enactment, SKA is credited with liberating close to 300,000 scavengers. He was bestowed with the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2016.
SAFAI KARAMCHARI ANDOLAN (SKA), INDIA
Bezwada Wilson is an Indian activist and one of the founders and national convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan (SKA ), a human rights organization that has been campaigning for the eradication of manual scavenging, its construction, operation and employment of manual scavengers which has been illegal in India since 1993. The biggest landmark of Wilson's work has been the enactment of Employment of Manual Scavenging and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993. Since the time of the enactment, SKA is credited with liberating close to 300,000 scavengers. He was bestowed with the Ramon Magsaysay award in 2016.
ASHA GEORGE
HEALTH SYSTEMS GLOBAL, SOUTH AFRICA
Asha George is the Chair Health Systems Global and South African Research Chair in Health Systems, Complexity and Social Change. She is a professor at the School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. As a qualitative researcher she is engaged with health systems to advance health and social justice in low- and middle-income countries. With a gender and rights lens, she focuses on the frontline interface and governance of services taking into consideration community and health worker perspectives. She has also worked as an advisor to UNICEF, WHO and USAID on community based approaches since 2007. Prior to that while based in India, she partnered with allies across community, district, state and national health systems to advance maternal health from a gender and rights perspective.
HEALTH SYSTEMS GLOBAL, SOUTH AFRICA
Asha George is the Chair Health Systems Global and South African Research Chair in Health Systems, Complexity and Social Change. She is a professor at the School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, South Africa. As a qualitative researcher she is engaged with health systems to advance health and social justice in low- and middle-income countries. With a gender and rights lens, she focuses on the frontline interface and governance of services taking into consideration community and health worker perspectives. She has also worked as an advisor to UNICEF, WHO and USAID on community based approaches since 2007. Prior to that while based in India, she partnered with allies across community, district, state and national health systems to advance maternal health from a gender and rights perspective.
BRENDAN HALLORAN
INTERNATIONAL BUDGET PARNTERSHIP (IBP), USA
Brendan Halloran is the head of Strategy and Learning at the International Budget Partnership and is associated with COPASAH through several learning activities. His engagement with IBP supports the work of SPARK, a program that seeks to support grassroots civic actors to engage around service delivery issues (including, but not restricted to, health) as an entry point to engaging deeper fiscal governance issues that constrain equitable and inclusive service provision. He is working at the intersection of strategy and learning around governance issues. His background includes analysis, strategic planning, research, program design, teaching, evaluation, and facilitation work related to diverse governance issues.
INTERNATIONAL BUDGET PARNTERSHIP (IBP), USA
Brendan Halloran is the head of Strategy and Learning at the International Budget Partnership and is associated with COPASAH through several learning activities. His engagement with IBP supports the work of SPARK, a program that seeks to support grassroots civic actors to engage around service delivery issues (including, but not restricted to, health) as an entry point to engaging deeper fiscal governance issues that constrain equitable and inclusive service provision. He is working at the intersection of strategy and learning around governance issues. His background includes analysis, strategic planning, research, program design, teaching, evaluation, and facilitation work related to diverse governance issues.
GITA SEN
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY PANEL (IAP), INDIA
Gita Sen is a distinguished Professor and Director of the Ramalingaswami Centre on Equity and Social Determinants of Health at the Public Health Foundation of India, and Adjunct Professor of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health. She is currently member of Independent Accountability Panel. She also serves on the Gender and Rights Advisory Panel of WHO's Department of Reproductive Health and Research, and is a member of the Lancet Commission on 'A Synergistic Approach to Universal Health Coverage, Health Security and Health Promotion.' She is a founder and currently General Co-coordinator of the Southern network, DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era). She has a PhD in Economics from Stanford University and has received honorary doctorates from other universities.
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTABILITY PANEL (IAP), INDIA
Gita Sen is a distinguished Professor and Director of the Ramalingaswami Centre on Equity and Social Determinants of Health at the Public Health Foundation of India, and Adjunct Professor of Global Health and Population at the Harvard T H Chan School of Public Health. She is currently member of Independent Accountability Panel. She also serves on the Gender and Rights Advisory Panel of WHO's Department of Reproductive Health and Research, and is a member of the Lancet Commission on 'A Synergistic Approach to Universal Health Coverage, Health Security and Health Promotion.' She is a founder and currently General Co-coordinator of the Southern network, DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era). She has a PhD in Economics from Stanford University and has received honorary doctorates from other universities.
RAJAT KHOSLA
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Rajat Khosla presently works as Human Rights Advisor for Department of Reproductive Health Research at the World Health Organisation. He is a lawyer by training and specialises on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and human rights. Previously he worked with UN agencies and others on ICPD+20 review process and post 2015 MDGs discussions. He used to work as the health policy advisor with Amnesty International. In this capacity he provided research guidance and policy support on a variety of health and human right issues, in particular around maternal health and sexual and reproductive rights and HIV..
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
Rajat Khosla presently works as Human Rights Advisor for Department of Reproductive Health Research at the World Health Organisation. He is a lawyer by training and specialises on issues related to sexual and reproductive health and human rights. Previously he worked with UN agencies and others on ICPD+20 review process and post 2015 MDGs discussions. He used to work as the health policy advisor with Amnesty International. In this capacity he provided research guidance and policy support on a variety of health and human right issues, in particular around maternal health and sexual and reproductive rights and HIV..
MARTA SCHAFF
PROGRAM ON GLOBAL HEALTH JUSTICE AND GOVERNANCE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, USA
Marta Schaff is the Director of Programs at the Program on Global Health Justice and Governance, Columbia University School of Public Health. She has worked for almost 20 years in health and human rights, and has developed successful partnerships with governments, local and international NGOs, academia, and the private sector. She has experience in designing and managing programs, overseeing and undertaking policy analysis, and leading mixed methods research.
PROGRAM ON GLOBAL HEALTH JUSTICE AND GOVERNANCE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, USA
Marta Schaff is the Director of Programs at the Program on Global Health Justice and Governance, Columbia University School of Public Health. She has worked for almost 20 years in health and human rights, and has developed successful partnerships with governments, local and international NGOs, academia, and the private sector. She has experience in designing and managing programs, overseeing and undertaking policy analysis, and leading mixed methods research.
JASHODHARA DASGUPTA
NATIONAL FOUNDATION OF INDIA (NFI), INDIA
Jashodhara Dasgupta currently heads the National Foundation for India and has over 31 years of experience in the voluntary sector. Jashodhara co-founded the women's health organization SAHAYOG (Lucknow, UP, India) in 1992, and has led it for 12 years before joining NFI. She has also co-founded other women's organizations such as AALI and HUMSAFAR, and anchored a number of civil society advocacy platforms working on reproductive health issues, at the national and international level. Her expertise combines community-based participatory approaches with research and high-level policy advocacy. As a public health policy advocate, she has served on various committees of the Government of India, and the Lancet-University of Oslo Commission on Global Governance for Health.
NATIONAL FOUNDATION OF INDIA (NFI), INDIA
Jashodhara Dasgupta currently heads the National Foundation for India and has over 31 years of experience in the voluntary sector. Jashodhara co-founded the women's health organization SAHAYOG (Lucknow, UP, India) in 1992, and has led it for 12 years before joining NFI. She has also co-founded other women's organizations such as AALI and HUMSAFAR, and anchored a number of civil society advocacy platforms working on reproductive health issues, at the national and international level. Her expertise combines community-based participatory approaches with research and high-level policy advocacy. As a public health policy advocate, she has served on various committees of the Government of India, and the Lancet-University of Oslo Commission on Global Governance for Health.
ANURADHA JOSHI
INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, UK
Anuradha Joshi is a social scientist with a focus on policy processes and extensive experience in institutional analysis of development. She has worked on issues related to poverty, low-income housing, public services and environmental policy. Her current research interests focus on collective action, social accountability and service delivery – mobilising 'demand' in basic services and in the scaling-up of innovative service delivery approaches. She is also interested in taxation of the informal sector. She has experience of consulting for bilateral and multilateral agencies in development and managing large, multi-country research projects and has travelled and researched in India, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam and Ghana. She is a member of the International Experts Panel of the Independent Report Mechanism, which is the accountability arm of the Open Government Partnership.
INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, UK
Anuradha Joshi is a social scientist with a focus on policy processes and extensive experience in institutional analysis of development. She has worked on issues related to poverty, low-income housing, public services and environmental policy. Her current research interests focus on collective action, social accountability and service delivery – mobilising 'demand' in basic services and in the scaling-up of innovative service delivery approaches. She is also interested in taxation of the informal sector. She has experience of consulting for bilateral and multilateral agencies in development and managing large, multi-country research projects and has travelled and researched in India, Indonesia, Nepal, Vietnam and Ghana. She is a member of the International Experts Panel of the Independent Report Mechanism, which is the accountability arm of the Open Government Partnership.
BORJAN PAVLOVSKI
ASSOCIATION FOR EMANCIPATION, SOLIDARITY AND EQUALITY OF WOMEN (ESE) MACEDONIA
Borjan Pavlovski is the coordinator of the program for public health and women's health in Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of women in Macedonia (ESE). He graduated from the Medical Faculty in Skopje, on the department for general medicine, and currently he is taking the postgraduate studies on public health at the same university. As part of the team of ESE he works on the promotion and advocacy for promotion of women's health and health of marginalized communities with focus on Roma people; improvement of budget transparency of health institutions and increasing their efficiency in the implementation of measures for preventive health care and use of funds from the budgets on national and local level. He is currently serving as the Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
ASSOCIATION FOR EMANCIPATION, SOLIDARITY AND EQUALITY OF WOMEN (ESE) MACEDONIA
Borjan Pavlovski is the coordinator of the program for public health and women's health in Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of women in Macedonia (ESE). He graduated from the Medical Faculty in Skopje, on the department for general medicine, and currently he is taking the postgraduate studies on public health at the same university. As part of the team of ESE he works on the promotion and advocacy for promotion of women's health and health of marginalized communities with focus on Roma people; improvement of budget transparency of health institutions and increasing their efficiency in the implementation of measures for preventive health care and use of funds from the budgets on national and local level. He is currently serving as the Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
AMINU MAGASHE GARBA
AFRICA HEALTH BUDGET NETWORK, NIGERIA
Aminu Magashi Garba is the Coordinator of Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and Publisher of Health Reporters, which is the first Nigerian online health newspaper managed as not for profit initiative to improve visibility on health in Nigeria. He is a public health expert and has been involved in promoting issues of health development in an accountable and evidence based manner. He has canvassed for greater responsibility of government in delivery of quality healthcare as public good. He is also currently the coordinator for the West Africa region for COPASAH besides serving as a Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
AFRICA HEALTH BUDGET NETWORK, NIGERIA
Aminu Magashi Garba is the Coordinator of Africa Health Budget Network (AHBN) and Publisher of Health Reporters, which is the first Nigerian online health newspaper managed as not for profit initiative to improve visibility on health in Nigeria. He is a public health expert and has been involved in promoting issues of health development in an accountable and evidence based manner. He has canvassed for greater responsibility of government in delivery of quality healthcare as public good. He is also currently the coordinator for the West Africa region for COPASAH besides serving as a Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
MOSES MULUMBA
Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)
Moses Mulumba is currently serving as the Director at Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), Uganda. He specializes in research, advocacy and litigation and is passionate about Global Health and its intersection with International Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property and Citizen Participation in Health Governance. CEHURD is a research advocacy organization working towards an effective, equitable, and people centered public health system that ensures the full realization of the right to health and promotes respect for human rights in health care and practices.
Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)
Moses Mulumba is currently serving as the Director at Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD), Uganda. He specializes in research, advocacy and litigation and is passionate about Global Health and its intersection with International Human Rights Law, Intellectual Property and Citizen Participation in Health Governance. CEHURD is a research advocacy organization working towards an effective, equitable, and people centered public health system that ensures the full realization of the right to health and promotes respect for human rights in health care and practices.
WALTER FLORES
CEGSS, GUATEMALA
Walter Flores is the director of the Center for the Study of Equity and Governance in Health Systems (CEGSS), a Guatemalan civil society organization specializing in applied research, capacity building and advocacy around issues affecting indigenous population health rights and other marginalized populations. He is also a steering committee member of COPASAH. He holds a PhD and a MCommH from the Liverpool School of Tropical of Medicine, UK.
CEGSS, GUATEMALA
Walter Flores is the director of the Center for the Study of Equity and Governance in Health Systems (CEGSS), a Guatemalan civil society organization specializing in applied research, capacity building and advocacy around issues affecting indigenous population health rights and other marginalized populations. He is also a steering committee member of COPASAH. He holds a PhD and a MCommH from the Liverpool School of Tropical of Medicine, UK.
ARIEL FRISANCHO ARROYO
CATHOLIC MEDICAL MISSION BOARD (CMMB), PERU
Ariel Frisancho Arroyo is the country director of CMMB, Peru since 2015 till date. He holds a M.D., MSc on health policy, planning and financing. He is a specialist on rights-based approaches, citizen participation, community health, health governance and accountability and has authored several international publications on these issues. He is also serving as a Steering Committee member of COPASAH representing the Latin American region.
CATHOLIC MEDICAL MISSION BOARD (CMMB), PERU
Ariel Frisancho Arroyo is the country director of CMMB, Peru since 2015 till date. He holds a M.D., MSc on health policy, planning and financing. He is a specialist on rights-based approaches, citizen participation, community health, health governance and accountability and has authored several international publications on these issues. He is also serving as a Steering Committee member of COPASAH representing the Latin American region.
RENU KHANNA
SAHAJ, INDIA
Renu Khanna is a feminist women's health and rights activist. She has a Master in Business Administration from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University, India. She is a member of several pro-peoples' networks, like, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Medico Friends Circle, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Vadodara and CommonHealth – Coalition for Maternal-Neonatal Health and Safe Abortion. She is a founder member of SAHAJ-Society for Health Alternatives based in Vadodara, India and also Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
SAHAJ, INDIA
Renu Khanna is a feminist women's health and rights activist. She has a Master in Business Administration from Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi University, India. She is a member of several pro-peoples' networks, like, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, Medico Friends Circle, People's Union for Civil Liberties, Vadodara and CommonHealth – Coalition for Maternal-Neonatal Health and Safe Abortion. She is a founder member of SAHAJ-Society for Health Alternatives based in Vadodara, India and also Steering Committee member of COPASAH.
ABHIJIT DAS
CENTRE FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE (CHSJ), INDIA
Abhijit Das is a doctor with training in obstetrics, pediatrics and public health and with over thirty years' experience in grassroots work, training, research and policy advocacy in the fields of reproductive health, health governance and working with men on violence and gender justice. He is currently Convener of COPASAH, a global health rights and social accountability network, and was earlier involved in setting up Men Engage Global Alliance. He has been associated as an advisor with various policy making bodies in India including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission, the Planning Commission as well as UN Women.
CENTRE FOR HEALTH & SOCIAL JUSTICE (CHSJ), INDIA
Abhijit Das is a doctor with training in obstetrics, pediatrics and public health and with over thirty years' experience in grassroots work, training, research and policy advocacy in the fields of reproductive health, health governance and working with men on violence and gender justice. He is currently Convener of COPASAH, a global health rights and social accountability network, and was earlier involved in setting up Men Engage Global Alliance. He has been associated as an advisor with various policy making bodies in India including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission, the Planning Commission as well as UN Women.
ABHAY SHUKLA
SUPPORT FOR ADVOCACY AND TRAINING TO HEALTH INITIATIVES (SATHI), INDIA
Abhay Shukla is a public health physician who has been working on health issues in collaboration with people's movements and grassroots NGOs as part of SATHI, a Health sector civil society organization in India. He is a member of the National Health Mission Advisory Group for Community Action (AGCA), as well as the Core group on Health of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He is one of the national convenors of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA or People's Health Movement – India) and was involved in organization of the National Right to Health Care campaign. Dr Shukla has authored and edited several books on health system issues including co-authoring of the widely read book 'Dissenting Diagnosis', which exposes malpractices in the private medical sector.
SUPPORT FOR ADVOCACY AND TRAINING TO HEALTH INITIATIVES (SATHI), INDIA
Abhay Shukla is a public health physician who has been working on health issues in collaboration with people's movements and grassroots NGOs as part of SATHI, a Health sector civil society organization in India. He is a member of the National Health Mission Advisory Group for Community Action (AGCA), as well as the Core group on Health of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). He is one of the national convenors of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA or People's Health Movement – India) and was involved in organization of the National Right to Health Care campaign. Dr Shukla has authored and edited several books on health system issues including co-authoring of the widely read book 'Dissenting Diagnosis', which exposes malpractices in the private medical sector.
