Geneva, Switzerland, November 2024 – At the first in-person Global Model World Health Organization (GMWHO), held from 29 October to 1 November 2024 at WHO headquarters in Geneva, youth delegates in a simulated exercise representing Member States from around the world adopted a critical resolution laying out a clear roadmap to achieving and securing a polio-free world. The GMWHO was jointly organized by WHO and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), to provide an authentic simulation of the World Health Assembly and the work of WHO for youth delegates from around the world.
Amid a myriad of global public health topics, youth delegates discussed the urgent need to eradicate polio, and adopted simulated resolution GMWHO WHA2.5 in Committee A5, focusing on the needs to overcome remaining geopolitical challenges to achieving and sustaining a polio-free world. Youth delegates from across the world focused their discussions on the need to reach marginalized, vulnerable populations, ensuring sustained funding for the effort, strengthening disease surveillance, minimizing the risk of spread of both wild or variant polioviruses, and ensuring containment for polioviruses, among other aspects. In particular, youth delegates called for the need for peace around the world, to reach some of the most marginalized communities with not just polio vaccine, but indeed broader public health interventions, quoting WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that “peace is the best medicine.”
The resolution was unanimously adopted in Committee A5, by delegates representing about 50 Member States, on behalf of the entire GMWHO. Prior to formal adoption of the resolution, youth delegates from more than 30 Member States took to the floor to express support to achieving a world free of polio. “There is a saying in our country: rain does not fall on one roof alone,” said the distinguished delegate of Cameroon, speaking on behalf of the WHO African Region, meaning that achieving a global public good required the full engagement of every single country and government.
“The entire Global Model WHO was an amazing experience, both for myself as Chair of Committee A5, and more importantly, for our youth delegates from around the world,” said Caroline Knop, Chair of Committee A5 and medical student at Charité in Berlin, Germany. “Everyone got a real sense of what it takes to achieve consensus for global health topics, and – more importantly – for what it takes to then implement this consensus. It was a huge learning experience for all, and I think everyone very much appreciated the entire event.”
“On behalf of the GPEI, I would like to thank WHO, WFUNA and most importantly all youth delegates in making polio eradication a part of this exciting programme,” commented Dr Arshad Quddus, chief epidemiologist for polio eradication at WHO. “I was extremely impressed by the level of knowledge and engagement youth delegates displayed, in clearly summarizing very complex challenges and solutions to achieving success, as illustrated in their adopted resolution. The youth delegates collaborated closely together, working in the spirit of global solidarity and consensus. The resulting resolution, even though of course simulated, actually very clearly outlines a roadmap to not only achieving a polio-free world, but indeed sustaining it. As a global community, we should endeavour to fully implement this simulated resolution. It was a pleasure engaging with this group, who are after all the future leaders of international development. Clearly, our future is in very safe hands with these young and energetic professionals at the helm.”
