Academic Alliances and Student Training

One of the GHBF’s flagship strategies is to identify and participate in successful health and wellness programs in the countries where the initiatives are being implemented. The ultimate goal is to multiply efforts aimed at creating a culture of disease prevention. Partnerships with academic institutions at a national and international level constitute one of the most effective ways to achieve this goal. Such are the collaboration projects promoted with the universities such as Northwestern University (NU), the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ), the Universidad de Antioquia (UDEA), and the Universidad Simón Bolívar de Barranquilla (UniSimón).

Through these alliances, research programs have been developed for low-income populations in Colombia and the United States. Similarly, student exchange programs have been established between UIC and UDEA.
The PUJ has developed mental health programs that incorporate mindfulness and is aimed towards students, professors, physicians and residents.

Another key GHBF program in Bogota, Colombia provides support to the biological, psycho-social, academic and professional development of children and adolescents (7 to 18 years of age) of sex workers, so that they grow and pursue higher educational goals. We are currently creating a professional mentorship program that would allow them to have professional guidance as the navigate from high school to higher education (e.g., two and four year college degrees). This initiative will provide them with the support needed to help them achieve their career goals, and break the cycle of extreme poverty.