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The need for diverse voices and fresh perspectives is undeniable in the evolving landscape of public policy. Organizations like The Walt Disney Company, Squire Patton Boggs, and The LEGO Group have recognized the importance of nurturing the next generation of diverse leaders in the public policy arena. Together, they support Salzburg Global’s Public Policy New Voices Europe program, showing their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Public Policy New Voices Europe connects, supports, and empowers a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy across Europe. This dynamic year-long fellowship program seeks to address the challenges faced by underrepresented groups and emerging leaders in the public policy arena by providing a platform for support, mentorship, networking, and skill-building.

As the program enters its third year, it has so far supported more than 90 emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds across 16 different European countries to gain a deeper understanding of public policy topics, exposure to different career fields, and meaningful connections with others who understand them and have undergone similar life experiences.

Alignment with Core Values 

For The Walt Disney Company, Squire Patton Boggs, and The LEGO Group, supporting the Public Policy New Voices Europe program is an integral part of their broader DEI strategies and core values.

The Walt Disney Company has partnered with Salzburg Global since 2021 on this program. Jim Filippatos, Vice President for Global Public Policy at The Walt Disney Company, said that they chose Salzburg Global as a partner for expanding the Public Policy New Voices US program into Europe because they “prioritized finding an organization that is well-aligned with Disney’s values, Disney’s vision, and can keep consistency across the programs in the US and Europe while understanding the European context”. Both partners want to contribute to building and sustaining a long-term network of diverse leaders in public policy to create a better policy ecosystem.

Squire Patton Boggs’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is the driving force behind the international law firm’s support for the Public Policy New Voices Europe program. Klaudia Bequart, Senior Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for Continental Europe at Squire Patton Boggs, stated that this program “directly aligns with the firm’s core values and longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion both within the firm and society at large. This unique program enables Fellows in public policy across Europe an opportunity for both personal and professional development.” The program empowers Fellows to “recognize that they not only belong but that they can succeed and thrive when pursuing their career objectives. Participating in this program has a direct link with the firm’s focus on driving meaningful change which results in equitable and inclusive working environments."

Wolfgang Maschek, Partner and Chair of the European Public Policy Practice at Squire Patton Boggs, further explained that “the program attracted [Squire Patton Boggs] because it matches our own ambitions as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We need to do more to bring more voices into the public policy arena and that's why we have decided as a firm to support the program. It very much matches our own ambitions internally, so we're very happy that we have found a place where we can also demonstrate our commitment externally.” 

The LEGO Group shares a commitment to shaping a society that supports diversity and inclusion. Larisa Pircalabelu, Head of EU Affairs at The LEGO Group, explained that they are “committed to embedding diversity and inclusion into the delivery of products, experiences and communications for our colleagues, communities, and role models: children. We have rolled out several programs and workplace initiatives worldwide to reflect this commitment, and we’re thrilled to support the Public Policy New Voices Europe program, empowering a new generation of diverse leaders in public policy.” 

The Value of New Voices in Public Policy 

It's clear to all three companies that including new voices in public policy is crucial for creating a more equitable and inclusive society. 

The LEGO Group recognizes that having more diverse voices represented leads to more inclusive policymaking. Larisa elaborated that “embracing different ideas, opinions, and approaches is what will shape a society inclusive of all and celebrating all. Nurturing emerging young leaders to shape a more inclusive future for policymaking will lead the way to a more progressive and prosperous future for everyone’s benefit.” 

The inclusion of voices from all communities produces better policy outcomes, as Jim (The Walt Disney Company) explained how “diverse perspectives allow institutions to assess global events and trends, interact with local leaders and policymakers, and navigate complex problems and ideas more effectively. When different perspectives and different voices are being heard in a positive, open way, we see better outcomes.” 

Klaudia (Squire Patton Boggs) elaborated that “policies that are being developed and implemented will only be successful if they are built with an understanding and appreciation for the wider impact on anyone that is involved. Representation and broadened perspectives are key factors in the development and implementation of equitable policies."

A Call to Action 

All companies can benefit from investing in programs that increase diversity and support a better policy environment. Jim (The Walt Disney Company) provided a compelling call to action, saying that "helping diverse new voices in public policy develop their careers, skills, and opportunities is not only the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do because it benefits all companies to have a better policy environment. It's long-term thinking because we all need to invest now to see benefits and a better future later.” 

Wolfgang (Squire Patton Boggs) emphasized that connecting corporations and supporting a cohort of empowered individuals leads to a strong network effect where “one plus one equals three or maybe even more… because [Fellows] have been empowered in their own thinking [and] in their own life, this can lead to a strong network effect. Therefore, it's of great interest for us as corporations to work together to support such progress." This, in turn, can empower others and increase representation in the public policy context. He hopes that the Public Policy New Voices Europe program in Salzburg is an inspiration not only for the students and the corporations involved but that it will be followed by other institutions elsewhere, as “it is in many corporations' interests to increase diversity within their own decision-making processes and leadership functions”. 

Klaudia (Squire Patton Boggs) reiterated that “combining efforts and means necessary to tackle systemic barriers to equitable policymaking, both on a local and global level, will enable the sustainable shift that’s vital in today’s global society… As organizations and individuals with common values come together to tackle some of the systemic barriers and challenges the field faces, an incredible sense of possibility and responsibility is felt”. 

These companies’ collective efforts to foster diversity and inclusion in public policy are a reflection of their commitment to creating a more equitable and inclusive society. They recognize that diversity isn't just a moral imperative; it's an essential element for achieving better policy outcomes and adapting to an ever-changing world. As they continue to invest in programs like Public Policy New Voices Europe, they set an example for others to follow. 

Find out more about Public Policy New Voices Europe.

As the world’s second-largest economy and the third-strongest military worldwide, China’s rise presents a new challenge for many countries. Its neighbors, India and Japan, share extensive trade relations with China but are increasingly drawn into border disputes with it. Insights shared by Salzburg Global Fellows Alka Acharya and Tomoo Kikuchi during the Pathways to Peace Initiative “Crossing New Rivers by Feeling the Stones? Aspirations, Expectations, and China's Role in the 21st Century” reveal the recent evolution of Indian and Japanese relations with China. 

A fraying India-China relationship

The India-China relationship is in a “somber state of affairs,” described Professor Alka Acharya, professor at the Centre for East Asian Studies in the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. As countries with shared, albeit contested borders, relations between the two Asian powers were never particularly warm. India and China have an asymmetric economic relationship, with a burgeoning trade deficit exceeding $100 billion in China’s favor in 2022.   

Alka added that India also suspects collusion between China and its adversary Pakistan to its detriment. Relations plunged to a historic low when border clashes flared up again in 2020 in the Galwan Valley, a small mountainous territory that has been contested between India and China for decades. The Galwan Valley skirmish was the most significant border escalation between the two countries in four decades. According to Alka, this signified a “turning point” in the India-China relationship. For the first time in decades, soldiers on both sides lost their lives.

However, relations between the neighboring countries were not always this heated. Alka recalled sharing in the cautious optimism of the early 2010s that India and China would develop a mutual understanding regarding their differences. Although sporadic border clashes still occurred at this time, their interests also converged on certain issues, such as climate change. India and China also previously shared the understanding that a war would be disastrous for both nations, not least for the region. “Today, unfortunately, the boundary dispute has come to exercise a determining impact” on the India-China relationship, remarked Alka.

In the current climate of tension between these neighboring nations, Alka believes that formal, structured, and regular dialogue is needed; this has come to a halt amidst the dispute. Nationalism has also come to the fore, and economic relations have been affected, with India seeking to decouple itself and reduce its financial dependence on China. 

Japan’s economic relations with China

Across the Asian continent, Japan finds itself in a similar situation. Although Japan relies on China as its biggest trading partner, it has consistently accused China of unilaterally attempting to change the status quo in the disputed East China Sea region.   

The China-Japan economic relationship began with official development assistance (ODA) following the normalization of relations after World War II. As noted by Dr. Tomoo Kikuchi, professor at Waseda University Graduate School of Asia Pacific Studies in Tokyo, Japan was one of the first countries to invest in China when it opened up to the outside world; this laid the foundation for Japanese companies to continue investing in China. With disputes over the Senkaku islands flaring up, the economic relations between the two countries have also been affected. 

“It has become more difficult to trade with China, to invest in China, and vice versa,” remarked Tomoo. He highlighted that the Japanese government has “core” sectors such as nuclear power, railways, critical minerals, and others, where trade with China is monitored and restricted. However, China remains the biggest market for Japanese corporations. While some, such as Mitsubishi, have moved out, others, such as Uniqlo, are expanding their base of operations in China. The reality of the situation, as Tomoo put it, is “nuanced and multifaceted”.

A common threat

Both India and Japan have recognized the common challenge stemming from China. Alka emphasized that the Indian government has singled out China as its “biggest security threat”. China’s rise has driven both countries into a closer relationship with each other and with China’s competitor, the United States. India, once known for its non-aligned approach, has decided to “hedge its bets,” as Alka put it, by reaching out to the US, Australia, and Japan. These countries are united by their wariness of a growing Chinese presence in the Indo-Pacific. According to her, it points to the need for Indian policymakers to “expand their options”. 

Japan’s options may be more limited, as “Japan basically follows the recommendations set by the United States,” remarked Tomoo. Torn between their biggest military ally and biggest trading partner, Japan might have some difficult decisions to make.   

India and Japan are wary of what an ascendant China might mean for them and their interests. They are finding it increasingly difficult to balance their strategic interests with their economic links to China. While India and China have seemingly reached an impasse, Japan is still trying to manage its complicated relationship with China. The jury is still out on whether either country will be successful in navigating a relationship with a rising China. 

Alka Acharya is a professor and chairperson at the Centre for East Asian Studies (Chinese Studies) School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). From 2014-2017 she was Director and Senior Fellow of the Institute of Chinese Studies in Delhi. She was editor of the journal China Report from 2005-2013.

Tomoo Kikuchi is a professor at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University and Adjunct Senior Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University. Previously, he worked at the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and Korea University and held visiting positions at the MIT Sloan School of Management and the Keio University Global Research Institute. 

Alka Acharya and Tomoo Kikuchi attended the Salzburg Global Pathways to Peace Initiative titled “Crossing New Rivers by Feeling the Stones? Aspirations, Expectations, and China's Role in the 21st Century” from February 18 to 21, 2024. This program was a forward-looking opportunity to debate and understand the future of global engagement with a rising China. The forum assembled an intergenerational, international, and interdisciplinary group from government, the private sector, and civil society to engage in off-the-record conversations to evaluate sources of misunderstanding between China and the globe, to explore state and non-state mechanisms through which to productively engage China, and to identify risk-mitigating pathways.

Health, economics, and equity are inextricably linked in a post-pandemic world. Amr Elshawarby, an economist with the World Bank based in Cairo, Egypt, shared his opinions on the economics that underlie equitable health systems and vaccine availability. 

Health systems in the Middle East and North Africa

Addressing the challenges faced by countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Amr noted that “one of the biggest challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, is how they finance their health systems, whether it is tax-funded or whether it is through social insurance schemes, to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on health, while improving health outcomes”. As the MENA region represents diverse economic backgrounds, ranging from low- to high-income countries, “Every country has a different type of challenge," explained Amr. He emphasized that a financial response to these challenges must be “country-specific”.

Egypt’s health reforms

Proper health financing is a crucial component of the economics behind equitable health systems. Amr pointed out that Egypt had begun reforming its health financing at the time of the pandemic outbreak. Its prevalent public health system was largely tax-funded, with a low utilization rate that could benefit from improved service delivery mechanisms, and was characterized by significant out-of-pocket spending. To expand healthcare coverage and provide protection for the most vulnerable groups, the country embarked on an ambitious program to roll out a “universal health insurance system” that drew on multiple sources of funding, such as premium collection and government funding as well as earmarked contribution from tobacco taxes and road tolls, while also subsidizing premium contributions for their most vulnerable groups. “They are trying to diversify the sources of financing to be able to develop stronger, more resilient, and a more responsive health care system that is able to better engage in pandemic situations,” described Amr.

Economics, equity, and vaccines

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the inequity between countries, particularly regarding vaccine access and distribution. According to the United Nations Development Program, high-income countries could vaccinate their citizens two months earlier on average than low-income countries. Amr highlighted the role of differential income in contributing to this inequity. He explained that wealthier countries have more indigenous investments in pharmaceutical research and development that help them get earlier access. “How [then] can we economically support low- and middle-income countries to get early access to vaccines?” asked Amr rhetorically. 

The answer lies, at least partially, within economics. Vaccine production, Amr noted, “needs financial innovation to be able to provide a global public good, such as vaccines, to everyone equitably”. However, if done incorrectly, it may have its pitfalls. Amr added that “multi-lane procurement” presented a huge challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a bid to maximize vaccine delivery, countries pursued any available avenues. This, however, led to an “operational nightmare”, he remarked, as multiple vaccines were operational in a single country, with different vaccines having different requirements in terms of dose administration, syringe type, and cold chain requirement, all the while competing for storage space. 

The path ahead

Amr likened the issue of inequity in vaccine procurement to climate change, stating that it “is a global issue that requires getting together and trying to find a collective solution”. Drawing inspiration from this week, he commented, “this [program] brings [together] people from various backgrounds, from the private sector, people working in the pharmaceutical industry, people working in donor foundations, development partners, academia, governments, health sector, [and] lawyers in the health field. Understanding all these moving variables in one place was extremely helpful.” He concluded, “It is important for us to find ways to better address pandemics in the future”.

Amr Elshawarby attended the Salzburg Global Health and Health Care Innovation program "Better Preparedness for the Next Pandemic: Developing Vaccine Access Models with Low- and Middle-income Countries" from March 11 to 16, 2024. This program convened nearly thirty Fellows, including healthcare practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from health ministries in several African countries, for crucial discussions on access to suitable and affordable vaccines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Central to the discussions was a focus on understanding end-user needs and constraints to inform the design of a new model for multilateral vaccine procurement.

This article featured in Issue 2 of the "Better Preparedness for the Next Pandemic: Developing Vaccine Access Models with Low- and Middle-income Countries" program newsletter. Download the full issue here.

Flash forward to 2024, and Robert Delaney now works as a columnist and the North America bureau chief at the South China Morning Post. On the sidelines of the Salzburg Global Pathways to Peace Initiative on ”Crossing New Rivers by Feeling the Stones? Aspirations, Expectations, and China's Role in the 21st Century,” Robert shared his insights and experiences as a journalist in China.

Journalism in China

After finishing his studies in 1995, Robert worked as a journalist in China until 2007, with some intervening stints in Jakarta and Hong Kong. He recalls that “China was very different during that period... it was really an ideal place to be a journalist”. Comparing the situation then to nowadays, he reflected that “the Chinese government was not particularly transparent, but it was much more transparent than it is now.   You could get robust information and data to be able to report on what is happening”. 

However, this freedom came with a major caveat. Sensitive topics were still considered out of bounds. While Robert generally wrote for financial news services, he experienced an incident while he was temporarily covering for a political   reporter. “I remember doing a telephone interview with a US diplomat regarding issues about Taiwan. And the phone went dead. The line was cut. They clearly were monitoring what it is that foreign journalists were talking about,” recounted Robert. While this was the “one and only” case where he felt as if his work was monitored, this was not the only incident that made an impression on him. A good friend of Robert's in Beijing, a documentary filmmaker, disappeared while he was working in the city. The situation, which was eventually resolved after about six months, shocked him and served as one of the plotlines in his 2018 novel, "The Wounded Muse".

Understanding Chinese society

Robert witnessed Chinese society undergo dramatic changes in a short time during his time living there from 1992 to 2007. “It’s hard to even explain how much changed,” he remarked.  These societal changes,   he believes, influenced China’s rapid growth and commercialization. “China wanted to progress and make up for the lost time that occurred under the chaos of the Cultural Revolution and the Great Leap Forward,” he commented, referring to the tumultuous years the country faced before it opened to the rest of the world. 

However, there are still many misconceptions in Western narratives about China. “There is this idea that a lot of ideologues put out there that the Chinese are just waiting for something to happen to make their government collapse or disappear,” he said, highlighting the Western tendency to overestimate negative Chinese attitudes against their government. According to him, most Chinese citizens are aware of the negatives that come with their government, but the majority believe that their government is “looking out for their best interests" and are not interested in the kind of instability that was pervasive in the country throughout the last century.

Writing about China

As a columnist, Robert focuses on explaining how the American political environment influences the US approach toward China.   He notes that he tends to focus on the Republican Party because it “has changed so dramatically over the past ten to fifteen years from one that was staunchly in favor of alliances with its traditional allies to a party that's become very skeptical about this.” In writing a column, Robert aims to “raise these red flags and [explain] why are we going down this route and how people do not see how much these stances undermine American national security interests […]”. 

Since arriving in China over thirty years ago with little knowledge of the country, its people, or its languages, the country has significantly shaped Robert’s life and career. Both as a journalist and an author, his writing has been significantly informed through his cultural immersion in the region. Now back in North America, Robert dedicates his insights and knowledge to demystifying China’s relations with the West, and in doing so, hopes to contribute to building an environment where China and the West live side by side in mutual respect.

Robert F. Delaney manages a team of correspondents and editors in North America that focuses on stories highlighting all aspects of the U.S.-China relationship, helping to establish Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post as one of the most important news outlets for coverage of these issues. Previously, Robert covered China and Mongolia in his role as Bloomberg News' Beijing bureau chief, and was also based in Indonesia and Canada as a Bloomberg journalist with a focus on the finance, mining, and energy sectors. 

Robert F. Delaney attended the Salzburg Global Pathways to Peace Initiative titled “Crossing New Rivers by Feeling the Stones? Aspirations, Expectations, and China's Role in the 21st Century” from February 18 to 21, 2024. This program was a forward-looking opportunity to debate and understand the future of global engagement with a rising China. The forum assembled an intergenerational, international, and interdisciplinary group from government, the private sector, and civil society to engage in off-the-record conversations to evaluate sources of misunderstanding between China and the globe, to explore state and non-state mechanisms through which to productively engage China, and to identify risk-mitigating pathways.

From February 8 to 10, 2024, the 12th annual Salzburg Global Cutler Fellows Program: International Law in Times of Great Power Competition convened in Washington, DC, gathering over 50 students from 14 of the top law schools in the United States. This year’s Cutler Fellows engaged with experts from the US government, the private sector, and academia to learn the importance of international law in navigating an increasingly competitive global environment.  

The Cutler Fellows Program, which is held by Salzburg Global’s Lloyd N. Cutler Center for the Rule of Law, works in partnership with 14 of the leading law schools in the US: University of California Berkeley, University of Chicago, Columbia University, Cornell University, Duke University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, University of Michigan, New York University, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, the University of Virginia, and Yale University.  

Before the in-person program, Cutler Fellows met for a virtual panel featuring a candid discussion on the role of international law in managing rising competition in Asia. The panel was moderated by Mark Wu, the Henry L. Stimson Professor of Law at Harvard Law School; Ambassador Lo Chang-fa, Permanent Representative of Taiwan to the World Trade Organization; and Tim Groser, former Ambassador of New Zealand to the US and former Member of Parliament in New Zealand.

The in-person program kicked off with a welcome reception, during which Cutler Fellows engaged with Payam Akhavan, legal counsel to the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law, to discuss a landmark case before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. The case, brought by several small island nations currently facing new threats from climate change, seeks an advisory opinion on what obligations countries have in preventing carbon emissions that contribute to rising sea levels. While speaking with Cutler Fellows, Akhavan focused on the complex issues facing the group of nine island states and the case’s potential implications for international law amid new threats from climate change.  

The following morning, Cutler Fellows gathered at the United States Institute of Peace to hear from leading academics and policymakers on whether international law can effectively manage great power competition. The panel discussion featured Benjamin Wittes, Editor-in-Chief of Lawfare; Ambassador Beth Van Schaack, US ambassador-at-large for Global Criminal Justice; and Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Following the panel, students participated in workshops led by faculty representatives from partner schools to refine their papers for academic journal publication. This year’s student papers covered diverse topics, ranging from autonomous weapons to climate asylum policies, among many others. Cutler Fellows engaged with Benjamin Wittes to learn about writing for policy audiences through a new partnership with Lawfare. Harry Reis, a Cutler Fellow from Columbia Law School, has since published an article titled After the Israel-Hamas War, a Transitional Trusteeship for Gaza, with Lawfare.

In the evening, Cutler Fellows gathered at the Austrian Embassy with Salzburg Global friends and Fellows for the 10th annual Lloyd. N. Cutler Lecture, titled Advancing the Rule of Law: Finding the Riches Hidden in an Inch. This year’s lecture was given by Hugh Verrier, Partner and former Chair at White & Case LLP, who shared stories and lessons learned from his extensive work to advance the rule of law around the world, including by establishing and expanding White & Case’s practice in Russia after the end of the Cold War. Verrier encouraged Cutler Fellows to take the path less traveled and use their newly acquired skills to effect positive change for society and the rule of law globally.

On the final day of the program, Cutler Fellows participated in the ever-popular “Knowledge Café” sessions to discuss their own personal goals and motivations with mentors and experts in international law.

This year's Knowledge Café featured Amanda Tuninetti, Associate at Covington & Burling and a 2015 Cutler Fellow; Katrin Kuhlmann, Faculty Co-Director of the Center on Inclusive Trade and Development at Georgetown Law; Barbara Medrado, International Trade Associate at King & Spalding and a 2019 Cutler Fellow; Gomiluk Otokwala, Senior Counsel at the International Monetary Fund; and Thomas Weatherall, Attorney-Adviser in the Office of the Legal Adviser for Human Rights and Refugees at the US Department of State and 2013 Cutler Fellow. 

Between connecting with legal experts and mentors, Cutler Fellows had the opportunity to connect with peers from other leading institutions. “Joining fellows from T14 Law Schools and engaging with esteemed legal professionals, public servants, and international law leaders was truly enlightening,” said Nour Kallel, a Cutler Fellow from Cornell Law School, “The [Cutler Fellows program] offered a platform to receive valuable feedback on my work and to discuss career trajectories in the realm of international law and public service.” 

Tatiana Varanko, a Cutler Fellow from Duke University, saw the peers she engaged with as a key benefit of participating in the program. “I had the opportunity to connect with a community of brilliant legal scholars and future colleagues from top law schools with a shared passion for international legal issues,” she said. 

The program concluded with a panel event titled "Navigating Gray Zones: Legal Implications of Emerging Technologies", which explored the unanswered legal questions posed by new technological capabilities such as artificial intelligence. Participants included Paul Stimers, Partner at Holland & Knight LLP; Tarun Chhabra, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Technology and Security at the National Security Council; and Victoria Espinel, President & CEO of the Business Software Alliance.

The Salzburg Cutler Fellows Program is held under the auspices of the Lloyd N. Cutler Center for the Rule of Law. The program is held in collaboration with fourteen of the leading US law schools. 

The Salzburg Global Health and Health Care Innovation program "Better Preparedness for the Next Pandemic: Developing Vaccine Access Models with Low- and Middle-Income Countries" convened nearly thirty Fellows, including healthcare practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and representatives from health ministries in several African countries. They engaged in crucial discussions on access to suitable and affordable vaccines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), and several key points emerged related to misinformation, vaccine nationalism, and self-reliance.

Managing Infodemics

In a discussion moderated by Lisa Adams, Associate Dean for Global Health and Director of Dartmouth’s Center for Health Equity, Salzburg Global Fellows sought to answer: “How can ‘infodemic’ – misinformation and vaccine hesitancy – be better managed, and what are the implications for procurement?” Drawing from their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fellows mentioned the ineffectiveness of a top-down approach that tells the public what they should know, rather than listening to their needs and concerns. “If facts were enough to motivate people, we would have solved all of the healthcare problems,” noted a Fellow.

Another challenge is the speed of misinformation on social media, unfortunately targeting not only the wider public, but also healthcare workers, letting their own fears and misconceptions cloud their judgements. The group talked about a “multi-pronged approach” involving not just politicians or healthcare workers. “It really comes down to the issue of trust, and whom you trust or listen to. Is it our politicians, our healthcare leaders, is it religious leaders or our star athletes, who will be the  spokesperson to mobilize the community?”, reflected a Fellow.

Fellows suggested involving people who interact with the community on a more personal level, such as social workers or primary care practitioners, also pre-pandemic. When addressing procurement, Fellows touched on the need to factor in vaccine hesitancy. In their experience, there was a significant mismatch between the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine and its demand. A possible solution shared amongst the group was to survey the public to determine acceptance of vaccines to forecast demand, rather than using the number of individuals eligible for them.

When trying to summarize the issue, they came back to trust. “We need to map where trust is; who is trusted and who are the influencers spreading misinformation? There is a displacement of trust and if you start with that, you can start to make change.”

Antidotes to Vaccine Nationalism

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the imperative to confront vaccine nationalism has become evident. Disparities in vaccine access highlight the need for collective action to safeguard global health. As storytelling contributes to vaccine nationalism, countries should shift their perspectives to view vaccine access as a global matter rather than relying on nationalist narratives.

Patrick Amoth, Director General for Health in Kenya’s Ministry of Health, commented, “We are talking about a global problem that has no boundaries. If we do not protect all of us, then even you will not be protected… How do we change that narrative and ensure that we as a global community are tied together in this?” The group reached a consensus that “solving for vaccine nationalism is solving for a collective action problem”.

Fellows suggested several ideas that can serve as an antidote. The first proposal is an “intercontinental buddy system”, a term coined by the group to refer to countries partnering bilaterally across continents that have common needs but distributed risk. Countries like Brazil and Kenya are already cooperating in a similar framework, and this kind of bilateral partnership could be expanded into global cooperation. The second suggestion is a clearing house in the Africa CDC for countries to better manage the vaccine donations they are given. There would be great value in sharing cross-country data through the Africa CDC platform so that surplus vaccines can be shared with neighbors based on need.

The group suggested that countries start with cooperation through organized regional or economic blocks, especially in Africa. By implementing strategies like these that foster global solidarity in addressing public health challenges, countries can pave the way for a more equitable and resilient future for all.

Vaccine Self-Reliance

“Self-reliance is about empowerment, not exclusion.” This was the defining idea contributed by a Fellow during a discussion seeking to answer: “How far can local manufacturing and research be developed in Africa, and what would 
its impacts be?” Fellows focused on the challenges behind these questions.

They highlighted that the conversation around African self-reliance needs to evolve beyond considering vaccines as a finished product. It needs to strengthen numerous components, such as diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and education to foster self-reliance. It also needs to consider all aspects of vaccine development, such as the pharmaceutical ecosystem, the research and development sector, the market, and the political environment.

One of the solutions that Fellows considered is increased coordination in procurement and regional manufacturing. As every country cannot build vaccine centers for every disease, it would be ideal to have specialized centers for specialized diseases. Biotech startups need to be supported, as they can bear the increased risks accompanying vaccine development. Universities are also often neglected spaces of tertiary education which must be supported to develop a talent pool for the research and development sector.

A unique vaccine financing model that can keep up with changes in demand and supply was suggested by Fellows. They proposed a combination of a subscription and variable model, where vaccine centers are paid a subscription cost to support their operations, with additional costs levied in cases of increased demand. Additionally, local and specialized manufacturing must be incentivized, which would also increase supply chain resilience.

Fellows emphasized that African self-reliance in vaccine manufacturing is not about excluding the rest of the world, as 100% self-reliance is neither feasible nor desirable. Instead, African countries seek to be more independant in a health emergency and to better prepare for the next potential pandemic.

This article featured in Issue 1 of the "Better Preparedness for the Next Pandemic: Developing Vaccine Access Models with Low- and Middle-income Countries" program newsletter. Download the full issue here.

This op-ed was written by Ewa Antoszek, who attended the Salzburg Global American Studies program "Beyond the Nation-State? Borders, Boundaries, and the Future of Democratic Pluralism" from September 19 to 23, 2023.  

Since all researchers tend to focus on the contentious and divisive character of borders, I want to look at the attempts of artists and activists that challenge the exclusionary practices that befall those who either try to cross borders or live in their shadow. As I note in my article on the border doxa, “[s]uch challenges of dominant discourse take place practically everywhere the border transforms its locale into tenuous space, be it on the Israeli-Palestinian border, between East and West Berlin under a communist government, or on the US-Mexico border”. I want to focus on the examples of border “artivism” taking place literally on the US-Mexico border, as this border is regarded as an “exemplary site for examining both the localized and the diffused politics of bordering," since it “provides a paradigmatic case of global border development".

The examples of border artivism range in scope from graffiti writings, through installations directly on the border fence or in its vicinity, to various performances and actions involving communities from both sides of the border. Each medium has a different persuasive power and a distinct capacity to change the space of the border towards a more inclusive one.

Graffiti written directly on the poles of the fence or corrugated wall constitutes a transgression in itself, as one is not supposed to approach the border, let alone touch it; with current surveillance, such an attempt can have grave consequences. The slogans, including the famous “Fronteras: cicatrizes en la tierra” (“Borders: scars on the surface of the earth”) and other uplifting messages that appear on the wall rewrite the mainstream story of the border by pointing to its contentious character and calling for action to challenge its divisive power.  

Overpass Light Brigade’s light graffiti projected on the prototypes of the wall had a similar function and also highlighted the issue of marginalization of migrants and some ethnic communities in the US. The medium of graffiti also allows for the immediacy of reaction; whenever some immigration- or border-related issues appear in the media, graffiti provides a prompt response. The installations, in turn, do not share graffiti’s characteristic of immediacy, as they require preparation and permits and are often mediated by an artist, like “The Mural of Brotherhood” by Enrique Chiu.

Their main role is to transform the border into a space of dialogue that fosters conviviality. In that sense, they also aim to challenge hostipitality experienced by Latinx and other ethnic groups in the US. Others point to the complex history of the borderlands, like “The Parade of Humanity”, which emphasized the interconnectedness of the two nation-states. “Border Dynamics” illustrated push and pull factors that determine the dynamics of US-Mexico relations. A French artist JR’s “Kikito” (“The Dreamer”) not only alluded to US immigration policies, but also addressed the question of the immigrant as the threatening “Other”, thus provoking a discussion about avarice and fear that led to marginalization of certain groups.  

Aside from triggering discussions about the “Other”, the majority of those examples of artivism promote the involvement of communities on both sides of the border. In that way, they create a space for dialogue and exchange, opening up the possibility of cooperation between those two seemingly distinct spaces that used to be one.  

Finally, border performances and happenings also share that last feature with border installations. Most of the artists-activists who conduct such events encourage people from both sides of the border to participate in them. The most well-known examples include Ana Teresa Fernández’s “Erasing the Border/Borrando La Frontera” (which she followed up in 2022 with “At the Edge of Distance”), JR’s “Giant Picnic”, M. Jenea Sanchez’s “Un-Fragmenting/Des-Fragmentando” or Ronald Rael’s “Swing Wall” (also known as “Teeter Totter Wall”, followed up by “Pedacito de la Tierra”, or “A Little Piece of Home” project), to name just a few. Regardless of the place on the border where these events were located, all of them drew people from both sides of the border to work together to diminish its divisive power. In that respect, they also created a space for those who are usually excluded from mainstream stories.  

When I think about those diverse examples of artivism, I am aware that they are limited in their power to reverse mainstream attitudes toward strangers, migrants, refugees, and anyone who gets labeled as the “Other”. When I talk about artivism, I am often asked if I believe artivism can challenge hostipitality that so many people experience not only in the US but all over the world. I have grown to learn that the world is much more complex than we would want it to be. That is particularly conspicuous when we look at what is happening in Ukraine, Sudan, or Niger (which to some extent overshadowed other crises in the Mediterranean or on the Polish-Belarusian border).  

Therefore, I know that artivism will not change the world immediately and completely, but at least it can create spaces of both literal and metaphorical hope. And that is very important, isn’t it? 

Ewa Antoszek is an assistant professor at the department of British and American studies of UMCS Lublin, Poland. In her research, she examines the question of ethnic identities, representations of space in literature, border issues, with a particular focus on the US-Mexico border, and the situation of Latinx in the United States, as well as migrations and their effects. Her latest research is devoted to the issue of hostipitality.

Ewa attended the Salzburg Global American Studies program on “Beyond the Nation-State? Borders, Boundaries, and the Future of Democratic Pluralism” from September 19-23, 2023. The 2023 Salzburg Global American Studies Program focused on the contestations and renegotiations of boundaries beyond the nation-state, and how they are changing the representation of democratic pluralism.