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Pandemic Preparedness beyond COVID-19: Learn from the past, prepare for the future

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Public Roundtable by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, in cooperation with the South African Embassy, Berlin

Date: Tuesday, 23 May 2023
Time: 18:30 to 20:30
Location: South African Embassy, Tiergartenstr. 18, 10785 Berlin

COVID-19 revealed that pandemics could create enormous impacts, unintended consequences and challenges within and between different countries and regions. Thus, lessons learned from COVID-19 also have political and social dimensions. The public roundtable, organised by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina aims to promote dialogue and build trust between the scientific community and stakeholders.

COVID-19 has demonstrated how quickly infectious diseases can spread worldwide when hitting unprepared societies. While no one can prevent the outbreak of new infectious diseases, better preparedness and resilient health systems can help mitigate future pandemics. Prior investments in infectious diseases, open science, research infrastructure and human resource capacity building efforts and strong collaborations and partnerships between Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs) and High Income Countries (HICs) enabled unprecedented progress in the development of diagnostics; vaccines and treatments buttressed by strong information systems. However, challenges like the unequal access and distribution of diagnostics, vaccines and treatments between LMIC and HIC remain. The recent health crises has once more shown how important a multi-sectorial and -dimensional approach to pandemics should be.

How can societies effectively implement prevention measures to strengthen the relevant sectors in preparing for future pandemics? How can pandemic preparedness be increased globally? These are some of the questions that panelists from the field of science, politics and industry will discuss. The audience is welcome to engage in the discussion.

The event is scientifically coordinated by Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim (ASSAf) and Professor Stefan H.E. Kaufmann (Leopoldina).

The public event is part of the fourth event (“Infectious Diseases beyond COVID-19”, 23-24 May 2023, Berlin) of a workshop series on Infectious Diseases for post‐doc researchers from Africa and Europe, which ASSAf and Leopoldina initiated in 2016.

The event is supported by GLOHRA.

ML = Member of the Leopoldina

Further Information and Registration

The evening roundtable discussion is addressed to the general public. It will be held in English with simultaneous translation into German. Admission is free of charge. Seats are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is mandatory. Please register until 19 May 2023. The security measures of the Embassy apply.

Register here

Time: 6.30 pm CEST / GMT+2
Venue: South African Embassy, Berlin

Contact

Dr. Thomas Plötze
Department International Relations
Tel.: +49 (0)345 472 39 832
Email: international@leopoldina.org

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