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Helping to inspire future generations of healthcare workers and finding the answers to global health problems is all in a day's work for Savannah Jamora, a project management officer at Sydney Adventist Hospital.
Savannah recently served as the Director-General of the first in-person Global Model World Health Organisation Conference (GMWHO), held in Switzerland.
This youth-led conference was the result of a partnership between the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA) – which Savannah has been involved with since her university days.
She said it was inspiring to see young people engaging in diplomacy and working together to find solutions to global health issues.
"The conference aims to educate, empower, and engage youth from all over the world, from all different backgrounds. GMWHO is the most accurate simulation of the World Health Assembly, and it provides delegates with the opportunity to learn about health policy and governance, and how the WHO actually works," she said.
"It's important for young people to be involved because this is about their future; it's a chance to see and learn how big decisions are made, and to have a seat at the table.
"And whether they go into healthcare or not, this will help them with their own lives, their families and their communities."
Over 350 high school and university students from more than 50 countries travelled to Geneva to take part in the conference, looking at issues including the interplay between climate change, pollution, and health; the mental health crisis amongst youth; the threat of antimicrobial resistance; the eradication of poliomyelitis; the fight against tuberculosis; and the complex relationship between global health and peace.
Students were given the opportunity to learn from and interact with WHO experts. They also participated in GMWHO's Global Experience Event, which allowed them to experience and learn about different cultures.
Each student delegate was assigned a WHO Member State and a topic. Over four days, they were tasked with drafting a resolution that is agreed upon by all members of their respective committees.
"A wide variety of students attend, some from affluent first-world backgrounds, some from third-world backgrounds, and it's really inspiring to see them work together in the spirit of consensus and multilateralism," Savannah said.
"It really puts them on an equal footing, and they all have equal opportunity to contribute during committee discussions and debates.
"Every committee's goal is to produce a resolution. Delegates go through resolution paragraphs line by line, and they discuss sections they don't agree on – it's about respectful debate and negotiation.
"It's wonderful to see delegates working through the challenges experienced during a session – especially when there are many different perspectives, cultures and languages within each committee room.
"At the end of the conference, the resolutions are adopted by consensus. It's not about who is the loudest delegate in the room, it's about who collaborated, and who worked as a team
"It gives me a lot of hope – there are a lot of problems in the world right now, but these young delegates have demonstrated that what unites them is stronger than what divides them. They have shown that it is possible to address world issues through collaboration, inclusivity, tolerance, and respect for others."
In addition to the health issues being addressed, a select group of delegates and staff were tasked with developing the GMWHO Youth Declaration on the Pandemic Agreement.
The Youth Declaration highlights the need for global solidarity and a proactive approach to being prepared for future pandemics.
"Their lived experience during the pandemic was invaluable to preparing the declaration," Savannah said.
"Young people had never experienced a pandemic on this scale before and it had a significant impact on their lives, careers, and study."
During the GMWHO Closing Ceremony, the Youth Declaration was adopted by delegates, something Savannah said was "celebrated by everyone there".
"This year's GMWHO conference gave delegates a chance to share their knowledge and be a voice for others – especially for those who lack the opportunity and means to participate in a similar forum."
Savannah said one of her highlights of the conference was the chance to meet one-on-one with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the first African to become Director-General of the WHO, a role he has held since 2017, and the principal advisor to the United Nations on matters pertaining to global health.
"What I really took away from that meeting was how important mindset is," she said.
"Dr Tedros has a mug that says 'mindset matters'. We face all kinds of challenges in healthcare, but people will always remember how you responded to these challenges.
"It's important to keep in mind that in healthcare, we're here to serve others; to serve our community.
"We're here to help people on the path to good health and wellbeing, which has impacts far beyond the hospital."
Savannah said she was "really blessed" to be working at New South Wales' largest private hospital, also known as the San, which had been "so supportive" of her.
She started out as an admission and discharges clerk for Patient Services in 2017, and is now a project manager for Head Office Costs.
"During GMWHO, it became really clear to me that we need young people and their ideas to help us move forward as an industry. It's about succession as well," she added.
"Young people are the future of our world, and they must be given opportunities that allow them to contribute towards improving our industry, with the ultimate goal of creating a healthier, more peaceful and equitable world for all."
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