October 2024 was packed with dynamic and inspiring events for global health, with youth at the forefront. As Voix EssentiELLES du Burkina and a member of the Global Fund's Youth Council, I had the opportunity to take part in the World Health Summit 2024 in Berlin and the Youth Health Summit, an initiative that brings young leaders together from different backgrounds and networks around a common goal: supporting the Global Fund's next Replenishment Conference in 2025.

Youth Health Summit: Co-created to support the fight against malaria and the Global Fund's 8th Replenishment Conference

The Youth Health Summit was organized by the RBM Partnership to End Malaria Youth Workstream and the Global Fund. The event brought together young leaders from different international networks such as the International Federation of Medical Students' Associations (IFMSA), the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF), the Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN) Africa and Asia, as well as the ONE organization, to brainstorm strategies that can unite young people’s voices in the fight against malaria and supporting the next Global Fund replenishment.

For me, this experience demonstrated the power of youth mobilization because it is clear that our determination and commitment are driving forces behind the Fund's resources, essential in the fight against HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. As Voix EssentiELLES du Burkina Faso and a member of the Global Fund's Youth Council, this summit offered me a valuable opportunity to share the reality of the many Burkinabe young people and women who are affected by malaria and facing the challenges of care. I was able to highlight the importance of youth participation in decision-making processes and access to international platforms. I was also able to discuss, with other committed young people, how we can get involved and come up with new ways of positively influencing global health financing. Together, we identified our strengths as young leaders and discussed the importance of mobilizing our communities through awareness raising campaigns, actively championing causes at national and international levels, and participating in research to support healthcare innovation.

The World Health Summit: Fostering trust and innovation for a healthier world

The World Health Summit highlighted important discussions on global health. I had the opportunity to attend strategic sessions such as the impact of Gavi and the Global Fund, health in the context of climate change, and the importance of investing in women's health. A session dedicated to innovation in the fight against malaria, organized by Friends of the Global Fund Europe in partnership with the private sector, also revealed promising solutions for eliminating this disease. In addition, I took part in a meeting of civil society partners with Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund. In this session, organized by the Global Fund Advocates Network (GFAN), the Executive Director first presented the Global Fund's priorities given the current context of multiple crises, ahead of the next Replenishment Conference, and also highlighted the key role of civil society and youth networks in mobilizing malaria-endemic countries.

Intergenerational dialogue: When young people and leaders join forces

One of the highlights of the World Health Summit was the Intergenerational Dialogue. Alongside notable figures such as Dr Michael Adekunle Charles, CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, and Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund, we discussed how to improve the involvement of young people in the fight against malaria. When I spoke, I stressed the importance of considering young people not just as a resource but as strategic players capable of providing innovative and sustainable solutions. As Voix EssentiELLES, I feel I have a special responsibility to ensure that the voices of young women from Burkina Faso and other African countries are heard at the highest levels of global health. I therefore called for greater support for young people, particularly in the fields of digital technology and community advocacy, so that we can have a significant impact in our communities. The feedback from leaders was encouraging and showed that young people’s potential is recognized, even if more structured support and funding are still needed to achieve our common goals.

Galien Africa Youth Forum: Women, youth and climate resilience

At the Galien Africa Youth Forum, held in Dakar, I was honoured to take part in a panel on the theme of “Climate and health resilience in Africa: Women and youth leading the way” on 23 October 2024. The discussions highlighted the impact of climate change on diseases such as malaria, and how young people, especially women, can be at the heart of climate resilience in their communities. My contribution focused on the importance of mobilizing young people to incorporate climate challenges into public health, with a special focus on malaria. This discussion reinforced my commitment to pursuing my digital initiatives, notably through my blog, in order to amplify the voice of women and promote their role in disease prevention. Participating in this panel enabled me to forge valuable links with other committed young people, sharing perspectives and solutions for strengthening our impact at regional level.

These events underlined a very important point: young people are not just the future, they are the present of global health. Through our passion and our energy, we have the potential to move the lines and actively contribute to a healthier world. For this impact to be sustainable, however, strong partnerships and structured support are essential. As a member of the Global Fund's Youth Council and Voix EssentiELLES du Burkina, I am convinced that we have not only the will but also the power to drive change in healthcare and in the global development ecosystem more widely.

By Farida Tiemtore, Founder of Héroines du Faso, Voix EssentiELLES du Burkina Faso and Member of the Global Fund Youth Council