Introduction to GHLC 2025
The Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC) 2025 is a flagship capacity-building programme of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Designed to empower mid-level government health officials, GHLC 2025 aims to enhance leadership, management, and technical competencies for tackling global health challenges and implementing context-responsive solutions at national and subnational levels.
This year’s cohort brings together more than 24 fellows from 13 countries across the Western Pacific Region, including Cambodia, China, Fiji, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands , Tonga, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam.
Programme objectives
GHLC 2025 has been meticulously designed with the following objectives:
- Enhance fellows’ knowledge and competencies to understand and address global health issues effectively.
- Build fellows’ capacity for leadership and management to drive health systems improvement at the country level.
- Equip with essential skill sets for policy planning and implementation including communications, data analysis and interpretation, and English language proficiency.
Programme structure
GHLC 2025 consists of three structured modules:
- Module A (16–27 June 2025, Virtual): Course orientation and group project planning.
- Module B (1 July–28 August 2025, On-site in Manila): Integrated technical, leadership, and management training featuring core sessions, group projects, and field exposure.
- Module C (1–12 September 2025, Virtual): Follow-up coaching, project implementation planning, and peer engagement.
Thematic framework
The curriculum is organized into three learning blocks, each building critical competencies for future health leaders:
- Block 1: Understanding WHO and Global Health
- Covers global health architecture and actors, and WHO governance and operation.
- Block 2: Priority Global Health Agenda for the Western Pacific
- The core of GHLC, offering 129 interactive sessions across five key technical strands:
- Transformative Primary Health Care for UHC
- Climate Resilient Health Systems
- Resilient Communities and Health Security
- Healthier Lives across the Life Course
- Technology and Innovation for Future Health Equity
- Includes interactive lectures, site visits, case-based sessions with WRs, and participation in the ADB INSPIRE 2025 Health Forum.
- Fellows collaboratively develop a group project rooted in country-level priorities, supported by seed funding and mentorship.
- The core of GHLC, offering 129 interactive sessions across five key technical strands:
- Block 3: Essential Skills for Leadership and Management
- Focuses on building practical competencies in leadership, communication, policy analysis, data utilization, and team management—delivered through workshops, simulations, and small group work.
Competency-based and applied learning
The GHLC 2025 integrates a competency-based learning model, emphasizing six domains:
- Community-centredness
- Decision-making
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Evidence-informed practice
- Personal conduct
Fellows apply these competencies through a group project that spans all modules, enabling them to design an actionable intervention plan for implementation in their home countries.