Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Commitment to
Diversity, Equity,
& Inclusion

Global Health Corps is committed to working toward a more inclusive, equitable world where all people can live healthy, dignified lives.

At GHC, we believe that diverse leadership and inclusive health systems strengthen global health outcomes.

Key Definitions That Shape Our Approach

Diversity

The richness of difference on a collective scale. It is a breadth of lived experiences that individuals bring to our shared vision.

Equity

Supporting individuals and communities with the resources and opportunities needed to thrive, recognizing that different needs exist across different contexts.

Inclusion

Fostering an environment where all people feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute meaningfully.

Health equity

The belief that all people, regardless of background or circumstance, should have the opportunity to achieve their full health potential and live a dignified life. This requires both the removal of systemic barriers and the provision of quality, accessible healthcare to all people. It is the founding principle and uniting belief of the GHC community.

Our Perspective on Equity in Global Health

We acknowledge the structural and historical factors that continue to shape the global and public health sectors, including:

The sector’s historical roots, which have influenced current power dynamics and decision-making structures.
Persistent disparities in who holds leadership roles within global health organizations.
The essential role of individuals and communities who have long championed health equity, often in the face of systemic challenges.
The responsibility of organizations and leaders across global health to foster inclusive environments and equitable opportunities.

Colonial aspirations were often the crucible of efforts to improve health in order to reach other, usually extractive, goals.

—Paul Farmer, Peter Drobac, and Zoe Agoos

Our
Approach

GHC integrates these perspectives into our work by:

Continuing to listen, reflect, learn, grow.
Dedicating human and capital resources to cultivating an inclusive team culture with structured feedback mechanisms to allow for ongoing evolution.
Offering learning opportunities that deepen our team’s understanding of the systemic factors influencing health equity.
Sharing insights and lessons learned to support broader efforts to advance equity in the global health sector.
Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, practices, systems, and programs; report and monitor progress. Intentionally cultivate board, staff, partners, and vendors who are collectively diverse.

To catalyze systemic change, we commit to:

Strengthen inclusivity among our growing community of 1300+ leaders to optimize collaboration and, ultimately, impact on health systems.
Document, measure, curate, and share learnings, resources, and progress made towards increasing DEI in global health to inspire and inform others — including other NGOs, governments, individual funders, and foundations — on the journey.
Showcase and contribute to the evidence of how a diversity of perspectives in global health leadership strengthens health systems.

Our work is part of a collective effort––one that requires ongoing collaboration, learning, and action. We welcome opportunities to engage with partners and peers as we navigate the evolving landscape of global health together.