The dismantling of USAID and the release of the “America First Global Health Strategy” in 2025 represent a dramatic departure from decades of bipartisan U.S. leadership in global health. This shift challenges the principles of multilateralism and international cooperation, values deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching.
Hosted by Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Catholic Health Association of the United States (CHA), Georgetown University Global Health Institute (GHI), and GHI’s Faith and Global Health Initiative bring this webinar will explore how Catholic health, education and social ministries can respond with unity, compassion, and courage.
Participants will reflect on the Church’s global mission, grounded in solidarity, subsidiarity, and the inherent dignity of every person. We will discuss the opportunity to strengthen our collective response as Catholic institutions.
Speakers
- Dr. Deus Bazira, DrPH, MPH, MBA, Inaugural Director, Georgetown University Global Health Institute
- Professor Lawrence O. Gostin, Founding Linda D. & Timothy O’Neill Professor of Global Health Law, Georgetown Law; Founding Director, O’Neill Institute
- Mary Haddad, RSM, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Catholic Health Association of the United States
- Nkatha Njeru, MPH, Chief Executive Officer, African Christian Health Associations Platform
- Moderator: Professor Michele Bratcher Goodwin, Linda D. & Timothy J. O’Neill Professor of Constitutional Law and Global Health Policy, Georgetown Law; Faculty Director, O’Neill Institute
Together, through this webinar, we can foster a shared commitment to:
- Global solidarity and collaboration by building relationships across continents to share resources, innovations, and best practices.
- Ethical leadership by representing Catholic values in global health forums and advocating for equitable, person-centered care.
- Capacity strengthening through training, technical assistance, and leadership development tailored to diverse contexts.
- Knowledge exchange and research by promoting evidence-based practices informed by Catholic social teaching.
Issues
Global Health Law Health Equity Health Governance Human Rights