Through an interactive and dialogue-forward approach, the Healthy World Conference: Dialogues on health, gender and climate resilience, will bring together key actors and thought leaders to critically examine how climate, health and gender transformative actions can be more effectively integrated into our work. 

The program can be viewed below! 

Programming for the conference aims to provide attendees with:

• Knowledge and tools to establish specific, measurable and achievable commitments regarding the integration of climate resilience into health, and gender equality strategies and programming.
• Next steps needed to realize their commitments.
• Supportive evidence and community resources that exist which will enable them to realize their commitment.

Programming will address system, sector and community level change. Sessions will be delivered in a variety of formats, including curated discussions, fireside chats and workshops. 

All times are local. Programming content is subject to change prior to the release of the full program and the start of the conference. Sessions will be offered across multiple rooms.

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  

• Opening keynote address and remarks 

11 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m. 

• Indigenous leadership, learning and solidarity
• Climate crossroads: Migration, displacement and opportunity

1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

• Global partnerships and multilateral collaboration on climate and health
• Spotlight on the global hunger crisis
• Effectively taking into account environmental considerations in health programming

3:30 to 5 p.m. 

• Advancing dialogue on climate, health, and gender in increasingly volatile times
• Resilience: An intersectional lens
• One Health today

5 to 6:30 p.m. 

• Evening reception

9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  

• Innovation and technology: Implications for people and planet
• The business of partnerships
• Climate and reproductive rights

10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

• Riding the wave: A workshop on integrating climate action into your organizational strategy
• Loss, damage and resilience: Youth and children’s perspectives on climate and health equity

1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. 

• Gender responsive climate financing: Implications for global health
• Measuring impact & (Re)Designing research
• Becoming a planetary health leader: Co-designing opportunities for action & impact through your organization

3 to 4 p.m. 

• Closing plenary: Inter-generational action on climate, health and rights

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9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Opening Keynote Address and Remarks

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Indigenous leadership, learning and solidarity

This panel invites members of diverse Indigenous communities to share how traditional knowledge and practices have been and continue to be used to navigate and adapt to the health impacts of climate change. Special attention will be given to the leadership of Indigenous women in fostering resilience and crafting relevant responses. Panelists will share how reconciliation is intertwined with climate justice.  Attendees will gain insights into how these learnings may be shared and integrated globally.

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Climate crossroads: Migration, displacement and opportunity

Extreme weather, changing landscapes and inaccessible food and water sources are increasingly contributing to migration and displacement, as communities leave to find safety, income, and the resources to survive. Displaced populations, particularly women and youth, are also vulnerable to a myriad of physical and mental health traumas. This dialogue will explore the ways in which climate, health, and displacement intersect and influence each other. It will also  consider how policies and programs can better mitigate risks, support autonomy and offer safe and just solutions.

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Global partnerships and multilateral collaboration on climate and health

In this session, speakers will reflect on the role of multilateral agencies and global partnerships in fostering collaboration among governments, civil society, international organizations and local communities. Highlighting both successes and areas where further work is needed, panelists will discuss the potential of these partnerships to enhance resilience, facilitate cross-sectoral efforts and strengthen preparedness in the face of global climate and health challenges. The conversation will examine the unique contributions of these partnerships in supporting and investing in anticipatory action to mitigate the effects of climate change and health crises.

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Spotlight on the global hunger crisis

This session will illuminate the intersecting challenges of climate crises, health impacts and gender in the context of food insecurity. Delving into the responses of humanitarian organizations, the session will examine how they approach and address climate emergencies. Panelists will explore the health ramifications of the hunger crisis, considering its diverse effects on various health sectors. Central to the discussion is the integration of gender transformative frameworks, offering insights into building climate-resilient approaches. Participants will engage in dialogue on the necessity for coordinated humanitarian responses and preparedness strategies. Together, they will assess both immediate interventions and long-term strategies to mitigate the consequences of climate-related disasters on food security and health worldwide.

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Effectively taking into account environmental considerations in health programming

Together with colleagues from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), attendees will discuss what effective integration of climate considerations looks like in global health project proposals and reporting. Attendees will be encouraged to consider nuanced ways in which environment and health intersect. They  will further explore the opportunities that can be leveraged to mitigate harms and promote positive environmental impacts in their projects. Participants will also learn about the resources available at GAC, including training and technical expertise, regarding the integration of climate considerations in health programming and will be able to offer feedback to inform future guidance.

3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Advancing dialogue on climate, health and gender in increasingly volatile times

The climate crisis. Health security. Gender rights and bodily autonomy. These complex topics can be challenging to address on their own.- At their intersections, we can easily find polarizing politics, cultural clashes and misinformation. This panel will explore challenges and pathways for fostering productive dialogue and clear, impactful engagement. Examples will be drawn from diverse media channels such as film, scientific literature, and journalism. This unique discussion offers an opportunity to learn from global voices and perspectives on what truly moves people to action and what lessons our sector can learn as we seek to share our own stories.

3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – Resilience: An intersectional lens

Drawing on lived experiences across diverse geographies, this interactive discussion will examine how the notions of reliance in people and resilience in nature are interconnected. Discussants will reflect on how a holistic, intersectional approach to the concept of resilience highlights how identity, experience, and environment influence each other. The profoundly contextual nature of resilience will be explored through specific examples of programs and holistic approaches designed to support the health and well-being of people and place.

3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – One Health today

While the One Health approach is not new, there remains an appetite for clear and practical strategies for its implementation at the policy and practice level. The panel will delve into contemporary understandings of One Health, exploring its principles and how they have evolved. Speakers will reflect on how gender equality and human rights have increasingly become central in One Health and will draw on specific examples of successful integration and implementation of One Health principles at the local, national, and global levels.

5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Evening reception (Theme: This Land – the history and present of climate, health and gender in Quebec)

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9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Innovation and technology: Implications for people and planet

This session explores the practical and ethical dimensions of technology, AI and innovation within the context of global health and the climate crisis. The panel will examine how technologies serve and impact vulnerable populations impacted by the climate crisis, emphasizing the importance of a gender equity perspective in crafting solutions. Attendees will explore how AI can enhance access to crucial information and empower communities facing global health challenges and environmental crises. Expect a thought-provoking discussion on the responsibilities of ethical decision-making, as well as insights into improving access to information in light of the digital divide and reflections on measuring the impact of technological interventions (please note: this session description was generated with assistance from ChatGPT).

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – The business of partnerships

In this session, speakers will offer insights into the shared (and distinct) objectives of civil society, government and private sector. Together, they will examine the many nuances of private partnerships: from local to international; corporations to social enterprises. The panel will explore successful collaborations and discuss the key ingredients for impactful partnerships. By candidly unpacking the challenges and opportunities, this dialogue will touch on the tradeoffs, discomforts and priorities of sector partners working at the climate, gender and health nexus, and how to be candid about the realities while exploring the possibilities.

9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. – Climate and reproductive rights

This dialogue will delve into the complex and crucial connection points between the climate crisis and reproductive rights, focusing on the shared challenges of resources, urgency and inclusion. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear examples of these intersecting impacts at both the practice and policy levels. Panelists will reflect on cases where funders have been engaged in investments at these intersections and what lessons this offers for future engagement with stakeholders in both the climate and SRHR landscapes.

10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Riding the wave: A workshop on integrating climate action into your organizational strategy

Mitigating risks posed by climate change is our collective responsibility and is vital to the future of our organizations and the communities with whom we partner. Creating a climate strategy and adopting climate stewardship within your organization should not be an overwhelming task! Through this practical workshop, participants will deepen their understanding of the key elements of a climate strategy, including definitions, foundational concepts, and tips to guide them. This will be reinforced through specific examples of One Drop’s own organizational journey, supported by Clearsum. This will also be a good opportunity to break down silos and develop strategies collectively to maximize impact.

10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. – Loss, damage and resilience: Youth and children’s perspectives on climate and health equity

This session aims to foster discussions on addressing climate challenges within health systems while promoting equity and actionable solutions grounded in youth perspectives of equity and justice. The session will amplify the voices and rights-based considerations of young people amidst the climate crisis. It also emphasizes the significant health risks posed by climate change, from direct effects like heat-related illnesses to indirect impacts such as disrupted access to healthcare. Speakers will reflect on solutions to address the impacts of the climate crisis in a youth-centered way, which includes locally-led adaptation, bolstering resilient health systems and funding mechanisms.

1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Gender responsive climate financing: Implications for global health

In this dialogue, speakers will delve into what the current landscape of climate financing and investments looks like and the opportunities for addressing the unique challenges faced by women and girls in the context of climate change. Panelists will reflect on where spending silos make it difficult to measure what has been invested, and to respond to increasingly complex health and climate crises. They will also discuss the availability and nature of existing funding mechanisms, as well as the opportunities for innovative approaches to investment that keep inclusion and equity as foremost considerations.

1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Measuring impact & (Re)Designing research

How can we foster more inclusive, community-led and nuanced research and evaluation at the nexus of climate, health and rights? Panelists will critically examine how traditional research and evaluation approaches fall short in capturing the intricate and context-specific connections between global health, gender equality and the climate crisis. Together, speakers will reflect on how monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning mechanisms must be relevant for and crafted by those living on the frontlines of climate change. They will also discuss the current data landscape, identifying gaps in available data and exploring opportunities to invest in better data collection.

1:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. – Becoming a planetary health leader: Co-designing opportunities for action & impact through your organization

Come explore the possibilities for you and your organization to become a leader in planetary health— a transdisciplinary, solution-oriented field and social movement to safeguard human health and natural systems in the Anthropocene era.

Participate in a series of collaborative design activities where you will explore the foundational principles and goals of planetary health and assess its alignment with your organization. Tap into the diverse knowledge of other participants to explore and create opportunities for your organization to transform ideas into concrete actions that can equitably promote healthier communities and ecosystems.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. – Plenary and closing remarks: Inter-generational action on climate, health and rights

This closing plenary features a powerful dialogue between two Canadian advocates of different generations, experiences and identities who share a commitment to creating a safer and healthier world for those who follow. Join Sheila Watt-Cloutier and Dr. Chúk Odenigbo as they offer frank reflections on the lived experience of being an advocate for people and the planet. The conversation will touch on the impact of advocacy on one’s well-being, opportunities for intergenerational learning and collaboration and the shared responsibilities of both elders and emerging leaders in creating the world we want to see.