Recent health events have highlighted the interconnected nature of the world and the disparities that exist in access to health services across the globe. The World Bank, and many other organisations around the world are trying to help bring about convergence in health access, treatments and outcomes. They do this in various ways - by strengthening national health systems in countries, ensuring that national resources are prioritised to support improvements in health outcomes, supporting global initiatives to tackle issues that extend beyond national borders such as pandemics, anti-microbial resistance, etc. Mr Keith Hansen presented recent events and developments in global health and discussed the Bank’s role in supporting global health initiatives.

Mr Keith Hansen is the Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank Group, overseeing the Global Practices for education; health, nutrition, and population; and social protection and labour. Mr Hansen was also recently one of the co-vice presidents for all of the Global Practices responsible for the Bank Group’s new operating model, which brings together the best expertise to help tackle countries’ most complex development challenges.

Mr Hansen has also served as the World Bank Human Development Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Previously, in his role as head of the AIDS Campaign Team for Africa, Mr Hansen spearheaded the Bank’s renewed approach to the epidemic.

This public lecture was presented by the Development Policy Centre at Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University.