The Geneva Learning Foundation
The Geneva Learning Foundation
The Geneva Learning Foundation is a Swiss non-profit with the mission to develop, trial, and scale up new ways to lead change to tackle the challenges that threaten our societies. The Foundation’s unique approach to education as a philosophy for change fosters the emergence of self-motivated learners who become leaders for change. The podcast is a crossroads for a new kind of dialogue – and an opportunity to listen in. A broad range of topics are covered, ranging from immunization to women's health, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), neglected tropical diseases (NTD), humanitarian response, digital communication, and leadership for learning. The common thread is the Foundation’s mission to support practitioners to find better ways to learn and lead to face the threats to our societies. Our podcast includes the best of our live-streamed content in a convenient, low-bandwidth audio format that you can listen to anywhere, any time.
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TGLF Dialogue for Learning, Leadership, and Impact (Season 1, Episode 9)
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/22 • 91 min
We are pleased to announce the Geneva Learning Foundation’s Ninth Dialogue for Learning & leadership . [Note: due to a technical problem with the livestream first recorded on 28 November 2021, we are restreaming the Dialogue on 5 December 2021.] The Geneva Learning foundation’s Dialogue connects a diverse group of learning leaders from all over the world who are tackling complex learning, leadership, and impact challenges. Join Reda Sadki and Karen E. Watkins from The Geneva Learning Foundation in a global roundtable with twenty remarkable Key Contributors. We reflect on the significance of leadership for current trends, explore lessons learned and successes, and problem-solve real-world challenges and dilemmas submitted by Members of the Dialogue. Tonight, however, we are going to start with Dr. Mai Abdalla. After studying global health security in at Yosei University South Korea and both public health and pharmaceutical science in her own country, Egypt. By the time she turned 30, Dr Abdalla had already worked with the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, and the African Union Commission. The accomplishments of her professional life are just the starting point, as we want to explore where and how did she learn to do what she does now? What has shaped her practice of leadership? We are privileged to have Key Contributors Laura Bierema and Bill Gardner, together with Karen Watkins, three Scholars who have dedicated their life's work to the study of leadership and learning. As we learn about Mai Abdalla’s leadership journey, they share their insights and reflections. Here are a few of the questions we have explored in previous episodes of the Dialogue: • How do you define your leadership in relationship to learning? • Do you see yourself as a leader? Why or why not? If you do, who are your 'followers'? Are you a 'learning leader' and, if so, what does that mean? • How do you define leadership in this Digital Age? How is it different from leadership in the past? • When and how did you realize the significance of the leadership question in your work and life? Who or what helped you come to consciousness? What difference did it make to have this new consciousness about the importance of leadership? • What is your own leadership practice now? Can you tell us about a time when you exercised 'leadership'. What were the lessons learned? What would you do the same or differently if confronted with the same situation in the future? In the second half of the Dialogue, we explored the leadership challenges of other other invited Contributors, including: Sanusi Getso on leadership to establish antenatal care services for a neglected community. Alève Mine shares her quandary about how to understand something for which no scaffold exists in one's current view of the world. Learn more about the Dialogue https://www.learning.foundation/dialogue
Health workers share measles outbreak experiences at Teach to Reach 9
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/11/25 • 29 min
# Health workers share measles outbreak experiences in global learning exchange During the October 13, 2023 session of Teach to Reach 9, immunization professionals from India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Uganda exchanged specific experiences responding to measles outbreaks. The session focused not on technical guidelines, which participants already implement through their national programs, but on the practical challenges and solutions they have developed in their local contexts. ## Field experiences and local innovations Dr. Isha Goyal, WHO surveillance officer in India, described analyzing outbreak data that revealed 90% of cases concentrated in a single community. Despite engaging religious and community leaders, vaccination coverage remained at 60-70% post-outbreak. She noted that the same community consistently refused vaccines across different immunization programs, raising questions about current engagement approaches. In Nigeria, Mudassir Abdullahi from Skano State Hospital outlined how response teams mapped affected settlements and conducted household assessments that revealed missed vaccinations. The team combined awareness activities with vaccination services, leading to reduced cases in previously affected areas. Dr. Bala Ganesh Kumar, WHO medical officer in South India, shared a systematic response protocol initiated by a hospital case notification: - Sample collection for laboratory confirmation - Formation of epidemic response teams at district and block levels - House-to-house surveys in affected areas and schools - Line listing of fever/rash cases from previous 90 days - Catch-up vaccination for children with immunity gaps Dr. Kamran Khan described Pakistan's 2021 nationwide campaign strategies that achieved 95% coverage: - Public vaccination of policymakers' children - School-based outreach covering 70% of target population - Direct engagement with hesitant parents through schools - Coordinated media management for adverse events ## Implementation challenges identified Participants shared several common challenges: 1. Data and tracking: - Mobile population movement during investigations - Incomplete vaccination records for second doses - Limited data sharing between facilities 2. Vaccine delivery: - Supply chain disruptions - Reluctance to open multi-dose vials - Geographic access barriers 3. Community engagement: - Persistent vaccine hesitancy in specific groups - Limited success with traditional approaches - Need for new strategies for consistently refusing communities ## Analysis and recommendations Lora Shimp synthesized three key approaches from the shared experiences: 1. Data utilization: "Using data to really help us identify where we have missed infants or younger children who may have received one dose of measles, but not two doses." 2. Health system operations: "Working with the health system to address these problems, to better communicate how to get, not to turn people away, what are the best ways to organize these services." 3. Campaign duration: "That campaign shouldn't just stop the day we're doing vaccination... planning for four weeks so that you also follow up with those communities that have been missed." ## Next steps The session highlighted several areas requiring further examination: - Analysis of patterns in vaccine refusal across programs - Development of new approaches for consistently refusing communities - Improved systems for vaccination record keeping - Strengthened preparedness planning Participants continued discussions through networking sessions to explore specific challenges in more detail. Note: Names have been transcribed from the session recording. Their spelling therefore may be inaccurate.
Europe-wide Network supporting Ukrainian Children announces first 34 Focal points (11 February 2025)
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/13/25 • 53 min
# Europe-wide Network supporting Ukrainian Children through Psychological First Aid (PFA) announces first 34 Focal points A Europe-wide initiative to support Ukrainian children through psychological first aid (PFA) marked several key developments during its February 11, 2025, Leaders and Partners meeting. The Certificate peer learning programme on Psychological First Aid (PFA) in support of children affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine provides innovative opportunities to strengthen immediate mental health support to children in crisis, is rapidly scaling up into a comprehensive network spanning 27 countries. ## First wave of PFA Focal Points The initiative announced its first 34 PFA focal points - volunteer representatives who will coordinate support within their organizations and regions. While most focal points are based in Ukraine working directly in fragile contexts, the network includes practitioners from Poland, Romania, and Iceland, creating a bridge between local needs and international support. ## Building local capacity “We work with children in Kyiv region, Ivano-Frankivsk region, Chernihiv region, and Sumy region. We travel to locations and conduct psychosocial sessions with children,” explained I. from Yellow-Blue Wings, describing their direct work with affected communities. “When I went through this training that lasted several weeks, it was both learning and active participation... you felt like you leveled up a bit,” shared A. from Platform of Unity, a Ukrainian humanitarian organization working in the Kharkiv region. ## Practical peer learning approach The program combines several key elements: - Certificate-based peer learning exercises providing structured training - Bi-weekly “PFA Connect” sessions for rapid knowledge exchange - New courses based on practitioners’ real-world experiences - An Impact Accelerator to support practical implementation ## Measuring impact on children A new measurement tool is being developed by this network to evaluate effectiveness of support to children at the local level. The tool examines children’s functioning, well-being, distress levels, coping ability, social behavior, and connectedness. ## Cross-border collaboration “This is just a wonderful way of connecting with others across the world who are dealing with the same challenges and issues and concerns and learning from each other,” noted W. from a National Red Cross. ## Looking ahead The program aims to reach 4,100 professionals by June 2025. The next “PFA Connect” peer learning session on February 12 will address three critical topics: recognizing severe reactions in children, managing multiple children in crisis, and providing remote psychological support. The initiative, funded through the EU4Health program, represents a shift from traditional training approaches by emphasizing peer learning and practical implementation while maintaining professional standards through certification. These regular Leaders and Partners meetings ensure the program continues to evolve based on practitioners’ needs and experiences in supporting children affected by the ongoing crisis.
Nigeria Immunization Collaborative: Farewell messages ahead of Monday’s Official Launch Event
The Geneva Learning Foundation
08/15/24 • 1 min
# Farewell messages ahead of Monday's Official Launch Event for the first Nigeria Immunization Collaborative https://www.learning.foundation/nigeria ## [No spoken content, only music and applause] The transcript contains no spoken words, only descriptions of music, applause, and cheering. This suggests an atmosphere of celebration and excitement as the collaborative prepares for its official launch on Monday.
Insights Live #6: Learning about COVID-19 recovery, interpersonal communication, gender
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/23 • 37 min
Insights Live #6: Learning about COVID-19 recovery, interpersonal communication, and gender in the Movement for Immmunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030) Insights Live is the Geneva Learning Foundation’s event series in which we share what we are learning through the Movement for Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030), reaching, as of December 2022, over 48,000 health professionals. Become an Insights Member to receive the full slide deck synthesizing 1000+ insights on key topics https://www.learning.foundation/insights Request your invitation to Teach to Reach: Connect 8 https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach In this edition of Insights Live, we focus on what we learned during Teach to Reach: Connect 7, the world’s largest networking event for health professionals. UNICEF was the main global partner for this edition and contributed its Interpersonal Communication (IPC) Guide, which was sent to all registered participants. Women Who Deliver Vaccines, a self-organized collective of 143 health professionals from 38 countries, opened the event. Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/iwd Topics explored at Teach to Reach 7 include: 1. Interpersonal communication: What have you changed since 2020 in how you speak with caregivers and the community about vaccines? 2. Build back better: How are you responding and what support do you need as the COVID-19 pandemic fuels the largest continued backslide in vaccinations in three decades and 25 million infants missed out on lifesaving vaccines in 2021? 3. Gender: What actions are you taking as a man to support women who work in immunization and why? Teach to Reach 7’s overarching theme was to explore local practitioner responses to the continued “backsliding” in vaccination coverage reported by UNICEF and WHO in July 2022, beginning an exploration of what “build back better” means at the local level. Networking and plenary sessions had a particular focus on (1) use of the TGLF Ideas Engine, a repository of advice, ideas and practices provided by participants on the TGLF learning programme; (2) interpersonal communication and use of the UNICEF guide/toolkit; and (3) use of root cause analysis to identify underlying reasons for low coverage. Plenary sessions focused on: (1) sharing experiences in development and implementation of IA2030 Action Plans; (2) local challenges and building back better post-pandemic; and (3) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These themes, together with three guiding questions , provided a structure for peer learning, although participants remained free to discuss whatever they found meaningful in the main event networking activity which consists of a series of individual, private meetings (“speed dating”) with one other randomly-selected participant each other. 14,134 health professionals (7,667 anglophones and 6,467 francophones) participated asynchronously, receiving and responding to event resources such as slide decks, stories, and guidance. Over 2,400 watched the livestreamed plenary session on YouTube and other social media channels. 1240 participated in networking sessions: 759 English speakers, 418 French speakers, 53 bilinguals, and 10 global partners. As well as the experiences shared before and during the event itself, further information was gathered in post-event feedback, which was provided by 1,024 participants, with 584 of them additionally sharing a success story, lesson learned or challenge. Become an Insights Member to discover how ideas and practices are being shared across health system levels and geographic borders – and get access to the Ideas Engine for your own needs LEARN MORE ABOUT TGLF INSIGHTS https://www.learning.foundation/insights
ENGLISH Teach to Reach Connect 6 Plenary Livestream
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/23 • 212 min
Request your invitation #TeachToReach #VaccinesWork https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach View the detailed event programme https://hopin.com/events/teachtoreach#schedule PLENARY 1. How we build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines Friday 17 June 15:00 – 16:00 (CEST) Add to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/BY13896515 What strategies are really helping health professionals in the field build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine? What strategies are really helping health professionals in the field build confidence in the COVID-19 vaccine? We are pleased to invite you to a Special Event at Teach to Reach: Connect in partnership with UNICEF, ahead of the COVID-19 Vaccine Demand Global Event. Request your invitation https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach Teach to Reach: Connect is the world’s largest network of immunization and other Primary Health Care (PHC) managers, connecting over 45,000 people working at all levels of the health system. Are you working to improve demand for COVID-19 vaccine? Join us at Teach to Reach: Connect to hear first hand from health professionals who will share their experience of ‘what works’ to strengthen demand and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine. On 17th June at Teach to Reach Connect: 6, The Geneva Learning Foundation’s Insights Unit will launch its new report: Overcoming barriers to vaccine acceptance in the community: Key learning from the experiences of 734 frontline health workers. The report analyses 734 case studies developed by frontline health workers in November 2020 as part of the COVID-19 Peer Hub, a peer learning exercise led by The Geneva Learning Foundation. Subscribe to our Insights to receive this Report https://www.learning.foundation/insights PLENARY 2. Listening and learning from the experience of women and men who are challenging gender barriers in immunization Friday 17 June 16:00 – 17:00 (CEST) Add to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/zE13896553 What are women and men health professionals in districts and health facilities doing in practice to overcome gender barriers in immunization? Following the Special Event on March 4, 2022, the Women Who Deliver Vaccines Collective invites men and women to join Teach to Reach: Connect to share experience. Request your invitation #TeachToReach #VaccinesWork https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach View the detailed event programme https://hopin.com/events/teachtoreach#schedule This time, the Collective has collaborated with Gavi's Zero Dose Community and the IA2030 Coverage and Equity Working Group (Strategic Priority 3). Gender and immunization global partners (UNICEF, WHO, Gavi) will be present as “Guides on the Side”. View the 1st Women Who Deliver Vaccines Special Event (March 4, 2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAjyZlgMKPI Poor connectivity? Listen to the event on our podcast https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9saXN0ZW5ib3guYXBwL2YvNFVkS1dCWmR0MFRv/episode/aHR0cHM6Ly9jZG4ubGlzdGVuYm94LmFwcC9hL085eGFva2hURUtMLm00YT9zaG93X2lkPTRVZEtXQlpkdDBUbw Learn more about the Women Who Deliver Vaccines Collective https://www.learning.foundation/iwd PLENARY 3. Neglected needs of women’s health: Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) Experience Sharing Friday 17 June 17:00 – 18:00 (CEST) Add to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/event/tu13897746 Are you concerned about the neglected needs of women’s health? Do you know about Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS)? Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) has been described as one of the most neglected sexual and reproductive health problems in sub-Saharan Africa, with approximately 56 million women and girls infected. You are invited to listen, learn, and share with colleagues from endemic countries who are taking steps to prevent, diagnose, and treat FGS. Join us to share experience and listen to remarkable success stories, lessons learned, and ongoing challenges. Request your invitation https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach View the full programme https://hopin.com/events/teachtoreach#schedule In this Experience Sharing event, you will hear from practitioners about their successes, lessons learned and challenges. Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/fgs In May and June 2021, over 300 health care professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa participated in the FAST package workshop on Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) led by Bridges to Development in partnership with the Geneva Learning Foundation. This global, digital community has blossomed into a nascent movement connecting more than 5,000 health care professionals with a shared interest in tackling FGS.
IA2030 Lightning chat: Life course vaccination with Laura Nic Lochlainn (WHO)
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/22 • 36 min
IA2030 Lightning chat: Life course vaccination with Laura Nic Lochlainn (WHO) Topic: Life course vaccination Guest: Laura Nic Lochlainn (World Health Organization) Join Charlotte Mbuh and Reda Sadki from The Geneva Learning Foundation to learn about the world's new vision and strategy for the future of immunization. Immunization is one of the best health investments money can buy. Yet despite tremendous progress, far too many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year – have insufficient access to vaccines. In some countries, progress has stalled or even reversed, and there is a real risk that complacency will undermine past achievements. To address these challenges over the next decade, a new global vision and strategy titled ‘Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind (IA2030)’ has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly. Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/immunization-challenges
IA2030 Lightning chat: Integration of immunization with other health services
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/22 • 26 min
IA2030 Lightning chat: Integration of immunization with other health services with Laura Nic Lochlainn (WHO) Topic: Integration of immunization with other health services Guest: Laura Nic Lochlainn (WHO) Join Charlotte Mbuh and Reda Sadki from The Geneva Learning Foundation to learn about the world's new vision and strategy for the future of immunization. Immunization is one of the best health investments money can buy. Yet despite tremendous progress, far too many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year – have insufficient access to vaccines. In some countries, progress has stalled or even reversed, and there is a real risk that complacency will undermine past achievements. To address these challenges over the next decade, a new global vision and strategy titled ‘Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind (IA2030)’ has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly. Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/immunization-challenges
IA2030 Lightning Chat: Gender and immunization (Part 2 of 3)
The Geneva Learning Foundation
02/15/22 • 36 min
Topic: Gender and immunization (Part 2 of 3) Guest: Michela Manna and Shirin Heidari (WHO) Part 3 of this series on gender and immunization will be livestreamed on 18 May 2021. Join Charlotte Mbuh and Reda Sadki from The Geneva Learning Foundation to learn about the world's new vision and strategy for the future of immunization. Immunization is one of the best health investments money can buy. Yet despite tremendous progress, far too many people around the world – including nearly 20 million infants each year – have insufficient access to vaccines. In some countries, progress has stalled or even reversed, and there is a real risk that complacency will undermine past achievements. To address these challenges over the next decade, a new global vision and strategy titled ‘Immunization Agenda 2030: A Global Strategy to Leave No One Behind (IA2030)’ has been endorsed by the World Health Assembly. Learn more: https://www.learning.foundation/immunization-challenges
REACH network connects health leaders to share malaria experiences
The Geneva Learning Foundation
12/15/24 • 57 min
# REACH network connects health leaders to share malaria experiences The Geneva Learning Foundation hosted its second English-language REACH session on November 20, 2024, connecting health leaders from 45 countries to share frontline malaria experiences. The session highlighted a new partnership between RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Teach to Reach. Request your invitation for Teach to Reach: https://www.learning.foundation/teachtoreach Special Event on malaria: Health professionals can request invitations at https://www.learning.foundation/malaria ## Global partnership targets malaria "To end malaria, we must empower the people closest to the problem - health workers in affected communities," said Antonio Pizzuto, Partnership Manager at RBM. "This partnership allows us to listen to and learn from those on the frontlines of malaria control, ensuring their voices drive our global strategies." ## What is REACH? REACH is a new component of Teach to Reach, the global platform to meet, network, and learn. The initiative, designed specifically for organizational leaders, offers: 1. Special networking opportunities for leaders 2. One-on-one meetings 3. Dedicated communication channels ## Session format Leaders met in virtual breakout rooms of 4-5 participants for focused discussions about malaria prevention, treatment access, and community engagement. Through structured sharing of experiences, participants explored common challenges and local solutions. ## Implementation challenges surface WHO's Ajai Patience in Nigeria described creative responses when mosquito nets were being repurposed: "For the mosquito nets, majority of them, mostly those who don't come to hospital regularly, use it to do their fish ponds. Some use it to do their vegetables." Her team developed targeted education during antenatal care: "We try to make them understand the importance of not having malaria in pregnancy... we visit them in the communities to see what they are doing." Professor Beckie Tagbo from Nigeria's University Teaching Hospital highlighted critical gaps in severe malaria treatment: "He works in a primary health care center unable to treat severe malaria. Patients must travel 60-70 kilometers to higher centers for treatment, and some lack the funds." In Kenya, Community Health Worker Taphurother Mutange shared their systematic outreach approach: "We have been subdivided into units as health workers. I've been given 100 households I visit every week. When they have problems or are sick, I refer them." WHO Public Health Specialist Mersha Gorfu in Ethiopia noted changing disease patterns: "Unlike previous years, malaria now occurs in high altitude areas and in patients who have no travel history." ## Who attended? The session connected 169 health leaders representing: Organization types: - Civil Society Organizations (32%) - Government agencies including ministries of health (28%) - Other non-profit organizations (21%) - Educational institutions (11%) - International agencies (8%) Health system levels: - Community level (29%) - National level (26%) - District level (22%) - Regional level (15%) - International level (8%) Geographic representation with countries with highest number of participants: - West Africa (44%): Nigeria, Ghana - East Africa (31%): Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania - Southern Africa (12%): Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana - Asia (8%): India, Pakistan, Yemen - Europe and Americas (5%): United States, United Kingdom, Canada 52% were first-time participants in REACH, while 48% had previously participated in Teach to Reach programs. ## Looking ahead This session builds momentum toward: 1. The next REACH session on November 27 focusing on climate and health with Grand Challenges Canada 2. Teach to Reach 11 in English on December 5 3. A special special event on malaria on December 10 Health professionals can request invitations at https://www.learning.foundation/malaria The initiative aims to complement existing technical forums by connecting implementation experience across levels of the health system, creating opportunities for practical learning between peers facing similar challenges in different contexts.
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Geneva Learning Foundation have?
The Geneva Learning Foundation currently has 331 episodes available.
What topics does The Geneva Learning Foundation cover?
The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Pedagogy, Leadership, Medicine, Podcasts, Education and Global Health.
What is the most popular episode on The Geneva Learning Foundation?
The episode title 'Knowledge translation for zero-dose immunization research in Gavi’s Zero-Dose Learning Hub' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Geneva Learning Foundation?
The average episode length on The Geneva Learning Foundation is 53 minutes.
When was the first episode of The Geneva Learning Foundation?
The first episode of The Geneva Learning Foundation was released on Feb 15, 2021.
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