The European Union (EU) has funded a 5 year project aimed at Strengthening Climate Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean. The project is being implemented by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and is bringing together 5 main sub-regional partners (including the UWI) working across 16 countries. The Project is aimed at improving climate and health systems, as well as human capacities, in the Caribbean.
For more information on the project please see the link PAHO Factsheet.pdf
As part of the project, the UWI will be running a Climate Change and Health Leaders Fellowship Programme.
Eligible Caribbean Countries for Round 2: Antigua & Barbuda, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago.
Duration: 12 months. It is currently planned for the second round of the Fellowship to run from May / June 2022 – April / May 2023.
Background to the Fellowship:
Health systems in the Caribbean remain highly vulnerable to impacts from climate change both on the quality and the capacity of services, as well as on the socio-economic and environmental determinants of health. These impacts have been well documented: extreme weather conditions; heat waves; more frequent strong and devastating hurricanes; recurring and extended periods of drought followed by excessive rainfall; increased levels of air pollution and sea level rise. These conditions negatively affect lifestyles, food security, water security, and have direct negative impact on people’s health and wellbeing in the form of heat strokes, respiratory illnesses (chronic and acute), cardiovascular diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and many vector-borne and infectious diseases. National socio-economic development is also negatively affected, like workers’ health (lost work capacity and reduced labour productivity in vulnerable populations and migration), as well as the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Purpose of the Climate Change and Health Leaders Fellowship:
The Climate Change and Health Leaders fellowship training program will focus on creating a cohort of inter-sectorial, multidisciplinary leaders with the necessary skills to turn plans and policy into action. The goal of the program will be to develop strong, effective Climate Change leadership among government officials, civil society, communities, and private sector, championing and implementing the One Health Approach. Fellows will be furnished with the knowledge and skills to enable them to support national Caribbean governments in the inclusion of health elements in the national adaptation plans (NAPs) for Climate Change and will be able to lead in the development and implementation of these plans. The training fellowship will prepare the fellows to be able to return to their country with the skills and knowledge to support the process of implementing the change, empower communities and support youth engagement.
Description of the Fellowship Program:
The part-time, 12 months, blended learning, curriculum-directed fellowship program which will include the following:
Selection criteria / eligibility:
Application process NOW CLOSED and will re-open in November 2022!