From Crisis to Catalyst: Rethinking Philanthropy’s Role in Global Health and the UN
The current structural and financial crisis in the UN has not only raised questions about the effectiveness of the entire global governance system, but has also shown that the governance logic of this institution - established in 1945 - may no longer be viable.
Over time - especially over the last two or three decades - the role and influence at the UN of non-state actors such as philanthropic foundations have increased, particularly in the WHO and area of global health. Their impact, however, should not be seen only in financial terms, but in multiple dimensions - including structural, legal and normative ones. The current withdrawal of the United States from its financial obligations and leadership role in global health has caused a domino effect in global affairs, and has forced the UN and WHO to look for different partnerships, including with the philanthropic and private sectors, which raises the question of how that alliance will be shaped in the future.
This seminar will bring various perspectives and areas of expertise together to discuss how the current crisis can be used to strengthen the role of philanthropy at the UN. The aim is to spark a wider debate about the future conditions of the partnership between the UN and philanthropic foundations, with the primary focus on global health and the World Health Organization (WHO) - a UN Specialized Agency.
The debate will address questions such as:
- How has the current crisis reshaped how philanthropy is perceived in global health and how the UN/WHO and the philanthropic sector cooperate?
- How can both - the UN/WHO and foundations - adapt to this new situation in order to make existing cooperation mechanisms more effective? What have we learned so far, and how can these alliances be improved?
- How can the UN and the WHO better engage with philanthropy and the private sector in order to turn the ongoing crisis into an opportunity?
Programme
Opening remarks
- Ravinder Bhavnani - Professor, Head of the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
Setting the stage; “Make the WHO great again?” Global context, philanthropy and the future of the UN/WHO
- Anita Budziszewska - Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Warsaw and at the International Relations / Political Science Department and Global Health Centre, IHEID
Roundtable discussion
- Mahnaz Vahedi, Scientist/Researcher, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, World Health Organization
- Catarina Mastellaro, Head of Strategic Engagement at the WHO Foundation
- Nadya Wells, Senior Research Adviser, Global Health Centre, Geneva Graduate Institute
- Raymond Saner, Professor, University of Basel, co-founder of CSEND, a Geneva-based NGRDO with ECOSOC accreditation and consultative status
- Lichia Saner - Yiu, Professor, President and co-founder of CSEND, a Geneva-based NGRDO with ECOSOC accreditation and consultative status
Moderator
- Annabelle Littoz- Monnet, Professor, International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute
Timetable
- 12:15-12:18 (3 mins.) Opening remarks: Ravinder Bhavanini
- 12:18-12:28 (10 mins.) Setting the Stage: Anita Budziszewska
- 12:30-13:25 (55 mins.) Panel discussion
- 13:25-13:45 (20 mins.) Audience Q&A
- 13:45-13:50 Closing Remarks (5 mins.) Ravinder Bhavanini/Anita Budziszewska
Reception
The event will be hosted by the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute and co-sponsored by the University of Warsaw, Faculty of Political Science and International Studies (IDUB programme) as part of an ongoing research project “Philanthropic Foundations and International Organisations” conducted by Anita Budziszewska at the International Relations/Political Science Department, Geneva Graduate Institute, in 2025/2026.
