Red Cross and University of Manchester launch partnership to improve global health
Press release: 1 November 2011
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and The University of Manchester have today (Tuesday) announced plans to collaborate and provide a postgraduate teaching programme in the field of global health
The teaching and research partnership will be coordinated through the University's renowned Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) and aims to provide affordable and world-class learning and training opportunities to students with an interest in global health issues.
The partnership will also facilitate research collaborations between the HCRI, the IFRC's Learning and Knowledge Sharing Network and its 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.
Red Cross staff and volunteers are often on the frontline of health emergencies and in a valuable position to share their knowledge and experience with students.
The teaching curriculum will cover issues such as emergency humanitarian assistance, water and sanitation, health needs in specific types of crises, health promotion and disease prevention, and disaster preparedness and mitigation, among others.
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and Dr Mukesh Kapila, Under Secretary General, IFRC, will officially launch this partnership by signing a Memorandum of Agreement at a ceremony to be held at University Place, Lecture Theatre A, University of Manchester, beginning at 5pm on Tuesday.
Following the signing of the MoA, Dr Kapila will give a keynote address entitled: 'Experimenting with leadership: trials and tribulations.' Audience members will then participate in a question and answer session.
"The world's health and humanitarian challenges are increasing in severity and complexity. To effectively address this, we must grow a new generation of leaders charged with finding real solutions today and in the future," said Dr Kapila.
"This partnership links The University of Manchester's excellence in the humanities, health sciences and technologies with the dedication of millions of Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers. Together, we can learn, innovate, and develop the knowledge that will directly improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve."
Professor Tony Redmond, HCRI deputy director, who has been leading efforts at The University of Manchester on this partnership, said: "This relationship progresses the aims of both organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of the world's most vulnerable people through humanitarian practices which are informed by the vital link up of rigorous research and teaching. We are proud to invest in the pioneering collaborative venture with the IFRC."
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell said: "One of our key goals is to act as a force for good, by bringing knowledge to bear on the great issues facing the world in the 21st century, and by producing graduates prepared to exercise social leadership and environmental responsibility.
"So we are proud to invest in the pioneering collaborative venture with the IFRC and thus realize this goal on a global scale using our own Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute to deliver practical and affordable online postgraduate teaching in global health around the world."
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Notes for editors
About the IFRC
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world's largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 186 member National Societies. Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit:
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About The University of Manchester and the HCRI
The University of Manchester has a clear goal for social responsibility such that it will make the institution a force for good, locally, nationally and internationally, by bringing knowledge to bear on the great issues facing the world in the 21st century, and by producing graduates prepared to exercise social leadership and environmental responsibility. HCRI is inspired by the need to conduct rigorous research and support postgraduate training on the impact and outcomes of contemporary and historical crises, and embraces this opportunity to develop a scholarly and professional agenda for humanitarians around the world. For more information on the HCRI, please visit:
Media enquiries:
For the University of Manchester and HCRI:
Aeron Haworth
Media Relations
Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences
The University of Manchester
Tel: +44(0)161 275 8383
Mob: +44(0)7717 881563
Email: aeron.haworth@manchester.ac.uk
For the IFRC:
Jason Smith
Corporate Communications Manager
IFRC
Mob: +41 (0)79 249 3380
E-mail: jason.smith@ifrc.org
For the British Red Cross
Mark South
Media Officer
British Red Cross
Tel: +44 (0)20 7877 7557
Email: msouth@redcross.org.uk
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