By Richard Feiner, lecturer in the M.S. in Nonprofit Management program
In my Public/Private Partnerships: Combating Global Health Threats elective course in Columbia’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management program, I focus on helping students examine the factors that have led to the growth of cross-sectoral philanthropy-aligned tools and innovative hybrid nonprofit/social financing mechanisms. Part of my teaching strategy is informed by my work with the G20/G7 Health and Development Partnership, an advocacy-focused nonprofit composed of more than 27 global health organizations from the public, private, and nonprofit/philanthropic sectors, united in our shared vision to address current and future global health challenges through cross-sector partnerships.
I have been a partnership member for more than five years and now serve as a Global Ambassador in our advocacy with G7 and G20 economic leaders, advancing the message that health security is an investment in economic growth and stability rather than a cost factor. We work to coordinate national health innovation strategies through increased transparency and accountability in G7/G20 processes and to secure public sector financing pledges to help close funding gaps to meet the UN development goals (specifically UN SDG 3 and 17).
Most recently, I participated in the partnership’s side event to the opening of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79). The meeting’s focus was to coordinate efforts that accelerate actions in the G7 health agenda that prioritize the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.
The session included participation from more than 30 global health leaders, with remarks by representatives from several ministries of health (Italy, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Australia); from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. National Cancer Institute; and from multilateral financial institutions and philanthropic foundations.
The meeting helped advance the partnership’s coordinated collective actions for increased public sector investment in cervical cancer research and patient services. I am working with other members to draft a partnership statement that advocates for a declaration in the 2024 G7 Ministers of Health communiqué confirming a commitment to the prevention of HPV-related cancers for both men and women.
About the Program
Columbia University’s M.S. in Nonprofit Management prepares graduates for leadership roles within mission-driven organizations in a wide variety of contexts, including global and community nonprofits, foundations, education, health care, and the arts, or as fundraising and development experts.
