CHA Global Health and Human Rights Seminar (Monday, 5/20)
The next session of the CHA Global Health and Human Rights seminar will take place on Monday May 20th from 12-1pm in room 4-B-11 (4th floor) at the Central Street Health Center, 26 Central Street, Somerville, MA 02143
Prof. Khawla Abu-Baker of the Department of Behavioral Science, Emek Yezreel College (Israel) and Visiting Scholar at the Center For Multicultural Training in Psychology at Boston Medical Center will discuss family wellbeing and trauma among Palestinians in the West Bank – the women’s perspective.
Please RSVP to PVS@challiance.org if you plan to attend.
Lunch will be served.
Robert P. Marlin, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine, Cambridge Health Alliance,Director, Coordinated Care Program for Political Violence Survivors
Wes Boyd, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Avivah Goldman, LICSW, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Barbara Hamm, PsyD, Director, Victims of Violence Program, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Diya Kallivayalil, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Open job opportunities at One Acre Fund
My name is Eva Koehler and I'm a graduate of SPH ('08, International Health). Since I know the semester is winding down, I wanted to send a note regarding job opportunities at One Acre Fund, my current employer. One Acre's mission is to improve the lives of the poor via their primary employment: agriculture. We provide credit for farmers, agricultural training, market access solutions and group formation, as part of a comprehensive bundle. I've been working for One Acre for 1.5 years now, and I've been really happy here - so happy that I want more people to experience it!
Why would public health grads go work for an agricultural organization, anyway?
As I learned at BUSPH, and I'm sure you did too, health, poverty, and nutrition are inextricably linked. Agriculture and localized economic development are critical means to address the upstream causes of disease, especially as the majority of the world's poor are farmers.
In addition to learning a lot about agriculture, I think One Acre Fund provides an incredible learning opportunity about project execution:
Lessons learned here that are good to know for everyone interested in development/health:
- Staff management and local capacity building - the program constantly tests, refines and systemizes its own internal systems and I would say this is a real strength of One Acre.
- Training development and roll-out, and general behavior change (i.e., is convincing farmers to plant in rows so different from convincing patients to follow vaccination schedules?)
- Working outside of the US, in terms of logistics, working with partners and colleagues of other cultures, coping with less than fabulous supportive systems in everything from copying to electricity
- Evaluation of projects and prioritization of new interventions (many staff start with a project where they run a small research project from background to piloting to potential roll-out)
- One Acre's approach to development work is different than many INGOs and a great chance to learn.
We take sustainability seriously. Our farmers pay for the products we provide, including the physical goods, the training, and the management of their credit. Our goal is that core operations in each district are fully covered by service fees within 4 years of launch (our organization is only 7 years old, but overall we're covering between 80 and 90% of core costs program wide).
Because farmers are our clients, and our continued existence depends on their continued participation, we are absolutely dedicated to listening to their needs, interests and suggestions for improvements - they are customers, not beneficiaries.
While not executable in every realm of health care, the push towards sustainability, and one model where it is working well so far, is definitely worth learning more about, from the inside.
Increasingly, we're using our vast network of farmers to distribute more traditional health projects including:
- Partnerships for chlorination of drinking water in Kenya
- Distribution of simple, proven remedies, including deworming medications
- Trainings on nutrition and other health topics
Finally, I think it's a great organization to work for. One Acre really wants its staff to stay on - we ask for 2 years minimum commitment, but ideally it would be much longer! We're expanding within countries and into new countries, and hope to quadruple in size in the next four years, and the people who've worked within the organization will be in the best position to lead it. Because of this, I think there's a genuine commitment to:
- Professional development, including regular updates and mentorship on projects, and regular reviews that help shape each staff members growth to suit both their strengths and interests and the organizations needs. I feel certain that the work I'm doing is put to good use, and that my organization generally cares that I continue to be happy and engaged.
- Benefits and salary:
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- Salaries for Program Associates start at 15,000 a year, although there is some room for negotiation for those with more work experience than the norm. In addition, typical first year benefits include health insurance, 2 flights to the US per year, housing at your site and shared housing in the capital city, grocery allowance, 5-6 weeks of vacation, and smaller perks for local travel, household needs, etc. Also, keep in mind that you're not subject to US income tax at this salary level, so other than Medicaid/Social Security you keep virtually all of your paycheck (unless you live in a state which makes you still pay state tax).
- Salaries can grow rapidly with high performance on the job - top performers can double their salary within two years and receive increased benefits.
Okay, I'm sold, what are you looking for and how do I apply?
Qualities that we love:
- International experience: Ideally you have already spent significant time in a developing country, and preferably in a rural environment. Working and living here isn't for everyone, and it's helpful if you know how it works for you before you make the commitment. Many of our staff are former members of Peace Corps and Global Health Corps, or have other experiences prior to One Acre.
- Leadership experience: A high level of self-direction, creativity and commitment to guiding others is expected, so if you've got work, school or volunteer experience where you've led others, hooray!
- Work ethic and critical thinking: There will be challenges and obstacles, so we want people who are willing to call on their energy and creativity to meet goals.
Qualities that are helpful
- French speakers! We're in two french speaking countries now and would love to start working in more, but we don't get too many applicants who speak French - this will help you stand out.
If you want to apply:
- Check out the jobs listed at http://www.oneacrefund.org/get_involved/careers. Most people enter as Program Associates, but there are more specific opportunities posted on the site that may be particularly interesting to you.
- Contact me if you have questions or want to discuss opportunities in detail. I'm reachable at eva.koehler@oneacrefund.org. I will do my best to respond.
2nd Annual Hubie Jones Lecture in Urban Health, featuring human rights, health equity, social justice activist and President of the APHA Dr. Adewale Troutman
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Wrapping up the month of Global Days of Service 2013, the Boston University School of Social Work is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Hubie Jones Lecture in Urban Health, featuring human rights, health equity, social justice activist and President of the American Public Health Association, Dr. Adewale Troutman.
Date/Time: Saturday, April 27, 2013, 10-11:30 a.m.
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In-Person, Skype, and Phone Mock Interviews for Practicums, Internships and Job Applications are Continuing for IH Students:
Patricia Burns, an IH Practitioner with the Career Services Office will continue to hold Mock Interviews for IH Concentrators until the end of the semester. For those of you in active job, internship or practicum searches, this is a great opportunity to practice and gain concrete feedback. The interviews will be held in 30-minute intervals. You will practice for 20 minutes and then receive/discuss feedback.
SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT
Patricia will be available on Mondays from 10-3pm in Career Services and other times for phone and skype interview practice. To schedule an appointment, please contact Patricia directly at pjburns@rcn.com or call her at 617 731 5958.
Schedule Writing Assistance for Final Papers Now!
Are final papers catching up with you? Come to the Writing Assistance Program!
Writing assistants will guide you through any type of assignment* and any stage of the writing process – from brainstorming to strategizing ways to strengthen your paper. We are open the following times (other times available by request):
- Mondays from 1pm-7pm
- Tuesdays from 3pm-6pm
- Wednesday from 3pm-6pm
- Thursdays from 1pm-7pm
Appointments are filling up quickly! Schedule an appointment in advance to ensure that you receive help before your paper is due! For more information or to schedule an appointment, please email Alexandra May at sphtutor@bu.edu. Please note that Friday, May 3 is the last day for writing assistance appointment for the Spring 2013 semester.
*Students cannot receive assistance for Culminating Experiences or masters theses
Global Programs Photo Contest, deadline April 26th!
Calling all BU faculty, staff, and students—
Global Programs wants to showcase your photos! We know you’ve traveled the world and now we want to show the world just how far you’ve gone.
All current faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to submit up to three photos to our inaugural BU Global Photo Contest. We are looking for quality photos that capture the essence of global engagement, whether you have conducted research abroad, studied in a foreign country, or have given back through service projects. Help us highlight the ways our BU community thoughtfully engages with the world.
First, second, and third place photos will be awarded prizes and showcased on the BU Global Programs website. Other photos may be used online and in print publications. Please carefully read the submission instructions below to make sure that your photo(s) are eligible.
Deadline is midnight, April 26.
Happy shooting!
Prizes
First Place: iPad Mini
Second Place: Kindle Paperwhite
Third Place: Fun Lenses for Your iPhone: Fisheye, Telephoto, and Wide/Macro
Submission Guidelines
Photos must adhere to the following technical requirements in order to win prizes:
- Quantity: each person can submit up to three photographs
- File Types: jpeg or tiff
- Color: only full color photographs
- DPI Size: must be 300 dpi or higher (should be a large file size in MB, not KB)
- Dimensions: must be at least 4″ x 6″
How To Submit Your Photo(s)
Please send all photo submissions to global@bu.edu and include the following information:
- Your full name
- BU affiliation (including school/college and department)
- Email address
- Phone number
- Photo title(s)
- Location(s): city, region, country, whenever relevant
- Approximate Date
- Photo description(s): a paragraph or less and please let us know who is in the photo
- BU Connection: Why where you there?
Please copy and paste the the following language in your email submission, stating that you agree with the below statement. Entries without this statement will not be entered into the drawing for the prizes.
By submitting photos or other materials to Boston University, I am promising that the content is original, does not plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark, does not violate anybody’s rights and is not libelous or otherwise unlawful or misleading. I agree that Boston University may use my submission in all media, and may edit, remove, modify, publish, transmit and display it.
Judging
Global Programs staff and a specialty guest will choose the winning global photographs.
Please note that staff from OGP, Study Abroad, CELOP, and the ISSO are encouraged to submit photos, but are ineligible for prizes.
The Social Consequences of Adjustment in Greece: Public Health After the Welfare State Disappears
Please see the attached flyer for details! AK flyer
India Field Seminar INFO SESSION TONIGHT (4/23) 5-6PM
India Field Seminar: Opportunity for SPH Students in January 2014
Info session flyer and application procedure attached! Act fast if you’re interested!
IM853 India Field Seminar Application Procedure and FAQs
IM853 INDIA FIELD SEMINAR INFORMATION SESSION
TUESDAY, APRIL 23 5-6PM, SMG 304
India is in the midst of extraordinary change, development, and growth. The country contains the most sophisticated of western technology, and companies fully competitive on a global level. At the same time, much of Indian infrastructure is underdeveloped or in decay and there are hundreds of millions of people living in extreme poverty. Nowhere are these intensely contradictory forces more apparent than in the health sector.
This field seminar will engage all students interested in understanding the complex dynamics of an emerging country, through the particularly telling lens of the health sector, and will include the chance to learn about the culture and values that underpin this great democracy and booming economy.
Course Fees:
Program Fee: $4000
Estimated airfare to and from India: $1500
Estimated meals and incidentals: $450
