Global Drowning Prevention Leadership Institute
Drowning is a major public health crisis, hitting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the hardest. In response, Bloomberg Philanthropies has been at the forefront of global efforts to address this issue. Since 2012, the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) has partnered with Bloomberg Philanthropies to understand the drowning problem and to develop and implement innovative strategies to address it.
The Global Drowning Prevention Leadership Institute (GDPLI) is designed to equip and empower professionals at all levels of the system to translate technical know-how into effective, implementable programs to prevent drowning around the world.
Rooted in science and a systems-based public health approach, the GDPLI will strengthen capacity for drowning prevention through practice, advocacy, and leadership in LMICs. The program will focus on translating evidence into policy, designing and implementing effective interventions, and improving local response systems. JH-IIRU will collaborate closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, Bangladesh, Synergos, and James Cook University to develop and execute this initiative.
About the GDPLI
Objectives
- To enhance leadership to support the strengthening of drowning prevention policies and program implementation
- To apply principles and best practices in drowning prevention to address country-specific issues and challenges
- To strengthen skills in drowning prevention interventions and policy development
- To build skills in systems thinking, policy advocacy, strategic communication, and media advocacy
- To enhance capacity to access and understand critical evidence for effective drowning prevention and control
- To build capacity to monitor, evaluate, and report performance and processes for drowning prevention programs
Skills and Competencies
At the completion of this course, participants will:
- Have a strengthened understanding of the multi-disciplinary nature of the issue of drowning and the need for a system-based approach to addressing the problem
- Have an enhanced skillset to advocate for, enact, and implement effective policies for drowning prevention
- Be able to better utilize drowning-related evidence to advance policy development and implementation
- Have strengthened understanding and skills in strategic communication and media advocacy
- Be able to better apply evidence-based best practices in drowning prevention to address country-specific issues and challenges
- Understand the role and value of monitoring and evaluation for designing and implementing effective programs
- Have strengthened ties and linkages to local, regional, and international colleagues and networks in drowning prevention
Key Features
- Active engagement among a wide variety of international participants from different settings and backgrounds, including government and civil society
- Delivery of the course through a diverse, experienced international faculty who aim to challenge and inspire participants
- Blended learning approach that promotes a personalized and collaborative learning experience
- Thematic emphasis on leadership across a range of drowning prevention issues, irrespective of participants' positions in their organizations
- A global faculty from various organizations participating in Bloomberg Philanthropies drowning prevention efforts and beyond, will contribute to the development and implementation of the course
- Certification from the Johns Hopkins University and global drowning prevention partners
Format
The program follows a highly participatory approach, with specialized modules designed around key themes. The curriculum blends case study discussions, experiential field visits, and hands-on activities, enabling participants to apply their learning in real-world settings. Additionally, participants will collaborate with both local and global drowning prevention experts, fostering diverse perspectives and meaningful connections. Led by a distinguished faculty of internationally recognized experts, this program offers a transformative learning experience.
Online component:
- Delivered via a customized interactive platform.
- Includes modules and reference materials covering the technical aspects of drowning prevention.
- Features interactive tools for participant collaboration with peers and faculty.
- Supplemented with weekly webinars over a 5-7 week period.
In-person component:
- Ten days of immersive training focused on practical application.
- Highly interactive, with group work, activities, lectures, and panel discussions reinforcing key concepts.
Participants
Admission to both course formats is by nomination only, through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Drowning Prevention Initiative partner organizations. Participants will come from diverse sectors, including government policy, healthcare, media, academia, research, non-governmental organizations, international non-governmental organizations, and the private sector.
