Meet Dr. John-Arne Røttingen, Ambassador for Global Health, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Norway, Member of the Virchow Foundation for Global Health Council
Dr. John-Arne Røttingen, MD, PhD, MSc, MPA, is currently Ambassador for Global Health at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway. He received his MD and PhD from the University of Oslo, an MSc from Oxford University and an MPA from Harvard, where he is adjunct professor at the Department of Global Health and Population at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. In addition, he is Adjunct Scientific Director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Visiting Fellow of Practice at Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford University, and was the founding interim Chief Executive Officer of CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations). Prior to his role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he was the Chief Executive of the Research Council of Norway; Executive Director of Infection Control and Environmental Health at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health; Professor of Health Policy at the Department of Health Management and Health Economics, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo. He has been the founding Chief Executive of the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services; Oxford Scholar at Wadham College; Fulbright Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School; Chair of the Board of the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; and Chair of the Consultative Expert Working Group on Research and Development: Financing and Coordination (CEWG), WHO (World Health Organization). As a member of the Virchow Foundation Council, Ambassador Røttingen is motivated to help contribute to a broader visibility and understanding of global health amongst the public.
From your perspective, why is engagement and awareness raising for global health important?
All humans deserve a long and healthy life. This is a human right, and it is also a prerequisite for individuals to being able to work and contribute to society. Healthy lives are therefore both a goal and a means to sustainable development.
How are you committed to engaging in global health topics within your current professional role and activities?
As an ambassador for Global Health of Norway my role is to support the Norwegian government in continuing strong contributions to Global Health. We are aiming to achieve this with our investments in multilateral health efforts, as well as with contributions to our collective international system, norms, and regulations so they are better fit for purpose.
How do you hope to achieve greater awareness and engagement for global health in your new role at the Virchow Foundation for Global Health? How can the Virchow Prize for Global Health help to increase awareness?
The Virchow Prize for Global Health provides a wonderful opportunity for rewarding important innovations and contributions to Global Health. Honouring such efforts will also contribute to a broader visibility and understanding in society and public of the immense importance of working to improve Global Health for all.
Find out more on the Virchow Foundation for Global Health Council and its Members here: https://virchowprize.org/council/
