the global food predicament
equity | access | transparency
gillings school of global public health • april 3-5, 2020
AMWHO is an authentic simulation of the World Health Assembly, the sole decision-making body of the World Health Organization (WHO). At the AMWHO at UNC Regional Conference, approximately 100 graduate and undergraduate participants will assume the roles of WHO ambassadors, non-governmental organization members, media correspondents, or food/agricultural industry representatives.
Participants will engage in debates and discussion surrounding our theme for this year: The Global Food Predicament: Equity | Access | Transparency. Through collaboration, students will craft approaches to address our world’s pressing public health challenges and draft a final resolution to send to the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Throughout the weekend, students will have access to renowned professors from the Gillings School of Global Public Health and public health professions from the Triangle. Students will hear from and talk to these guest speakers at the banquet, opening and closing ceremonies, and lunch and learn event. |
registration information |
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directors' Letter |
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theme brief |
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(Click on the image to the left to view the theme brief for the 2019 AMWHO at UNC Regional Conference.)
The theme brief gives delegates an overview of the global health challenge that will be discussed and debated over the course of the conference. It includes subthemes that break-down the intricacies of the problem and provides case studies that describe how countries in different regions of the world have been affected. Delegates may use the theme brief as a resource to write their position paper. SUBTHEME 1: GLOBALIZATION OF FOOD Case Study: Japan and the Shokuiku Kihonho Campaign SUBTHEME 2: FOOD SECURITY Case Study: Conflict and Famine in South Sudan SUBTHEME 3: SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEM Case Study: e-Agriculture in the Netherlands Case Study: Agriculture in the West African Region SUBTHEME 4: FOOD RELATED ILLNESSES Case Study: The Burden of Non-Communicable Disease in Mexico: The Soda Tax The theme of this conference was developed by the theme director, Annie Chen. Annie is a senior majoring in nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. She is interested in local and global rural health disparities, agricultural initiatives, and the intersection of culture and nutrition. Part of her research entails working with Dr. Ammerman in the VeggieRx study, a primary care intervention study in which participants at high-risk of chronic disease use weekly agricultural produce boxes and cooking classes to promote health and manage pre-existing conditions. |
example conference schedule |
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FRIDAY | APRIL 3, 2020
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
CHECK-IN Delegates will arrive to the Gillings School of Global Public Health and receive materials. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
OPENING CEREMONIES The UNC AMWHO Executive Board will kick off the weekend with a theme discussion, brief overview of the conference, and a welcome from a distinguished professor of the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium 2:15 PM - 4:45 PM
COMMITTEE SESSION I Delegates will disperse into their respective regional committee rooms, led by their regional Dais, to enter debate on the conference theme. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Designated Committee Rooms 5:00 - 6:00 PM
AFTERNOON PRESENTATION Participants will have the opportunity to attend a presentation by pioneering nutrition researcher and founder of the Good Bowls project, Dr. Alice Ammerman. Joan Gillings Auditorium 6:00 - 7:00 PM
PRESS CONFERENCE After having rotated among all the regional committees, Media Correspondent delegates will ask pressing questions to certain WHO Ambassadors and NGO Representatives. Joan Gillings Auditorium 7:00 - 9:00 PM
FRANKLIN STREET EXCURSION The UNC AMWHO 2019 Executive Board will escort all delegates to downtown Chapel Hill for a night of exploration and networking among delegates. Delegates will pay for their own dinner--coupons/special concessions are available at several Franklin Street restaurants. Downtown Chapel Hill (Public bus transportation will be provided.) |
SATURDAY | APRIL 4, 2020
8:00 AM - 8:50 AM
BREAKFAST & LATE CHECK-IN Delegates will arrive at the Gillings School of Global Public Health for continental breakfast and coffee. Any late arrivals may check in at this time. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
COMMITTEE SESSION II Delegates will return to their regional committee room from the day before to continue debate. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Designated Committee Rooms 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
LUNCH & LEARN Delegates will have the opportunity to network and learn from distinguished local leaders in global health and nutrition--speakers include professors from local universities, startup founders, researchers, and representatives of local nonprofit organizations. Lunch is provided. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium 1:00 PM - 2:45 PM
COMMITTEE SESSION III Delegates will return to their regional committee room from the day before to continue debate. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Designated Committee Rooms 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
PRESS CONFERENCE After having rotated among all the regional committees, Media Correspondent delegates will ask pressing questions to certain WHO Ambassadors and NGO Representatives. Joan Gillings Auditorium 4:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Committee Session IV Delegates will return to their regional committee room from the day before to continue debate. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Designated Committee Rooms 6:15 PM - 8:30 PM
BANQUET The UNC AMWHO 2019 Executive Board will welcome delegates to a formal banquet. Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from our keynote speaker. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium |
SUNDAY | JANUARY 27, 2019
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
BREAKFAST & INFORMAL COMMITTEE Delegates will arrive at the Gillings School of Global Public Health for continental breakfast and coffee. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium 8:50 AM - 12:10 PM
MORNING PLENARY SESSION The final plenary will begin, where all regional committees convene in one room to debate and vote on each other's final resolutions. Snacks and coffee will be provided all day. Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
LUNCH Lunch will be served to all delegates. Michael Hooker Research Center Atrium 1:20 PM - 3:20 PM
AFTERNOON PLENARY SESSION The final plenary will resume. Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
CLOSING CEREMONIES The "Best Delegate" and "Best Position Paper" awards from each regional committee will be announced, and the conference will close. Blue Cross Blue Shield Auditorium |
GUEST SPEAKERS |
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Barbara K. Rimer, DrPH, MPH
Dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor Gillings School of Global Public Health UNC-Chapel Hill |
Barbara Rimer is dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Her work has guided national research, practice, and policy in cancer prevention and control for more than 20 years.
Dr. Rimer was the first woman and behavioral scientist to lead the National Cancer Institute’s National Cancer Advisory Board, a Presidential appointment. She was elected to the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2008 and appointed by President Obama to chair the President’s Cancer Panel in 2011. In 2013, she was awarded the American Cancer Society’s Medal of Honor, and she served on Vice President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Blue Ribbon Panel. Prior to joining the Gillings School, Dr. Rimer was deputy director for population sciences at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; before that, she was director of the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at National Cancer Institute. Earlier positions include professor of community and family medicine at Duke University and director of behavioral research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. She is the author of more than 270 peer-reviewed publications, 55 book chapters and six books. Dr. Rimer became dean of the top-ranked Gillings School of Global Public Health in 2005, and she is passionate about the School’s mission to improve public health, promote individual well-being and eliminate health inequities across North Carolina and around the world. |
Alice Ammerman, DrPH
Mildred Kaufman Distinguished Professor Gillings School of Global Public Health UNC-Chapel Hill |
Social determinants, including income and place of residence, can determine how healthy a person is in the present and over time, but a new initiative called Good Bowls aims to level the playing field and provide better health for many. Alice Ammerman, DrPH, Mildred Kaufman Distinguished Professor of nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and director of UNC’s Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, leads the new public health initiative.
Through careful research and development, Ammerman and her team of current and former students have created a product–Good Bowls–that aims to provide better access to nutritionally valuable food for lower-income consumers, while creating economic opportunities for local farmers and food entrepreneurs. The bowls contain healthful, locally sourced foods that are frozen for longer shelf life. Ammerman hopes the project will enhance the environmental, economic and social well-being in communities in the southeastern United States. Ammerman's project, Good Bowls, offers recipe for health equity Good Bowls Are Here. |
Kelly Brownell, Ph.D.
Director, World Food Policy Center Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University |
Kelly Brownell is Director of the World Food Policy Center at Duke University, where he is also Robert L. Flowers Professor of Public Policy and Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience. From 2013-2018 he served as Dean of the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke.
In 2006 Time magazine listed Kelly Brownell among “The World’s 100 Most Influential People” in its special Time 100 issue featuring those “.. whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world.” Brownell was elected to membership in the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) in 2006 and has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association, Graduate Mentoring Award from Yale, the James McKeen Cattell Award from the New York Academy of Sciences, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Purdue University, the Lifetime Achievement Award from Rutgers University, and the Distinguished Scientific Award for the Applications of Psychology from the American Psychological Association. Prior to joining the faculty at Duke, Brownell was at Yale University where he was the James Rowland Angell Professor of Psychology, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, and Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. While at Yale he served as Chair of the Department of Psychology and as Master of Silliman College. Dr. Brownell has published 15 books and more than 350 scientific articles and chapters. He has served as President of several national organizations, including the Society of Behavioral Medicine, Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, and the Division of Health Psychology of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Brownell has advised the White House, members of congress, governors, world health and nutrition organizations, and media leaders on issues of nutrition, obesity, and public policy. He was cited as a “moral entrepreneur” with special influence on public discourse in a history of the obesity field and was cited by Time magazine as a leading “warrior” in the area of nutrition and public policy. |
reviews, publications, & media |
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"Students said AMWHO had “revived [their] passion for diplomacy and advocacy,” and described the experience as one that “could not be found in a classroom” and “influential” for their future plans. 35 of 39 respondents (90%) rated the experience as “good” or better, and 38 of 39 (97%) would recommend AMWHO to a friend."
"AMWHO is a useful forum for students to improve their knowledge of global health issues, and sharpen their skills in diplomacy, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution." |
"The vast majority (98%) of respondents from the AMWHO 2014 conference indicated the conference as being "good" or "better", and 90% of respondents indicated they would recommend the conference to a friend... The American Mock World Health Organization fills a gap in global health policy education by providing students with the opportunity to develop skills essential to careers in global health governance."
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"By encouraging students to network with current professionals, AMWHO facilitates collaboration and communication between passionate individuals working to make a difference. It is surreal to think that the friends I made over the three day conference can one day be colleagues, or the global health professionals I networked with could one day be mentors. Sitting in the conference, I envisioned the other students and myself one day becoming a part of the WHO in order to make meaningful change by helping those without health care access or affordability." |
"Global health crises are unimaginably complex. In listening to and participating in discourse during AMWHO 2016, I was forced to consider interests beyond my own. I was reminded of the opening addresses by Dr. del Rio and Dr. Weiss. There are multitudes of stakeholders, each with their own, often conflicting interests. Resources are always limited and compliance is almost never guaranteed. Perhaps the greatest lesson I took away from AMWHO was how truly difficult it is to work in the field of global health. But having spent the weekend engaging with equally enthusiastic individuals and having passed a resolution together, I came away with a renewed sense of determination that solutions, while complex, are not beyond our reach."
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faq |
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DELEGATE RESOURCES |
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UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
135 Dauer Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27599 Flying to Chapel Hill For delegates flying to Chapel Hill, please note that you will be flying into the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Once you arrive, you may take an airport taxi or Uber/Lyft for the 20-minute drive (depending on traffic). Please note that if you requested a host for the weekend, they are not obligated to provide transportation throughout the conference, and it will be your responsibility to arrive at the conference venue. Uber/Lyft and public buses are readily available in Chapel Hill. Driving to Chapel Hill For delegates driving to Chapel Hill, the Gillings School of Global Public Health is located at 135 Dauer Dr on UNC-Chapel Hill's campus, across the street from the UNC Medical School. The school is housed within two connected buildings: Michael Hooker Research Center and Rosenau Hall. The closest parking deck will be the Dogwood parking deck on Manning Drive. Once parked, take a left out of the parking deck and walk down Manning Drive. Turn right onto Columbia, and the School of Public Health will be on your left. If you are arriving at the conference on Friday before 5pm and need a parking pass, please indicate this at the time of registration and it will be provided upon arrival. Free parking is available throughout campus on Saturday and Sunday. For any questions regarding traveling to the conference venue, please email [email protected]. |
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