Global Webinar #2 - UHC election advocacy in action: Experiences and lessons learned in countries

DESCRIPTION
The outcome of elections can determine whether a government prioritizes and invests in building a robust health system that protects the right to health. Nearly 70 countries are holding elections this year alone, making this a pivotal moment to ensure future leaders keep health high on their political agendas and deliver on the 2023 Political Declaration on UHC.
Earlier this year, CSEM and UHC2030 launched an election advocacy guide to help advocates in countries with upcoming elections influence political candidates and parties to prioritize UHC in their agendas. Based on the understanding that governments have a responsibility to realize people’s right to health, this election advocacy guide was developed to build capacity, mobilize and inspire civil society advocates to take action to ensure health is front and center of the elections in their countries.
This is a follow up session following the launch of the election advocacy guide in March. The main objective of the session is to foster peer-to-peer learning. Advocates who are currently or were recently engaged in election advocacy in their countries will share experiences, lessons and observations from their engagement to inspire others. The session will also provide an opportunity for advocates to share feedback on the election advocacy guide.
OBJECTIVES
1. Discuss experiences and lessons learned in advocating for UHC during elections and pushing for implementation of commitments made at the 2023 High-level meeting.
2. Share feedback on the election advocacy toolkit: how useful is it to your advocacy? What is missing and how can it be improved?
3. Discuss the connection between election advocacy for UHC and advancing social participation for health.
SPEAKERS
Amy Boldosser-Boesch, Senior Director and Practice Area Lead for Health Policy, Advocacy & Engagement and Senior Director for Integrated Health Care at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Laura Philidor, Advocacy and Communication officer at the CSEM Secretariat (WACI Health)
Maziko Hisbon Matemba, Executive Director Health and Rights Education Programme(HREP) Malawi
Dumiso Gatsha, Founder, Success Capital NGO, Botswana
Musa Ansumana Soko, National focal point, the Civil Society Platform on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (CSPPS), Sierra Leone
Claudia Batz, Policy and Advocacy Advisor, The George Institute for Global Health