WHS Academic Alliance
The WHS Academic Alliance, Founded by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, unites 30 leading academic institutions to strengthen evidence-based global health policy and international cooperation.
30
Member institutions
6
Represented continents
2009
Founded by Charité
12
Regional Meetings
About the WHS Academic Alliance
The WHS Academic Alliance (formerly M8 Alliance) is the scientific network of the World Health Summit, bringing together 30 leading academic institutions from all continents. Founded by Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin in 2009, the Alliance fosters international and trans-sectoral collaboration, connects the scientific community to inform global health agendas, and supports evidence-based health policy and practice.
The International Presidency of the World Health Summit rotates annually among members of the WHS Academic Alliance. Each presiding institution also hosts the WHS Regional Meeting that year.
Impact of the WHS Academic Alliance
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Annual WHS Regional Meetings
Each year, the World Health Summit is complimented by a Regional Meeting in a different part of the world, where local and regional topics come to the forefront. Each meeting is hosted by the WHS Academic Alliance member holding the World Health Summit International Presidency, which rotates every year.
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Upcoming WHS Regional Meeting
Nairobi, Kenya
April 27-29, 2026
The WHS Regional Meeting 2026, hosted by Aga Khan University under the leitmotif “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence”, will bring together leaders and changemakers from across the African continent and beyond.
Activities of the WHS Academic Alliance
Through a range of collaborative activities – such as thematic working groups and expert meetings, joint policy briefs, and collaborative commissions – member institutions of the WHS Academic Alliance engage in sustained collaboration to advance evidence-based solutions to global health challenges.
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Publications
A curated selection of scientific publications, policy briefs, and collaborative research outputs from across the WHS Academic Alliance. Collectively, these contributions reflect the Alliance’s commitment to strengthening connections within the scientific community and advancing evidence-based health policy and practice.
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2025 Berlin | WHS Academic Alliance Declaration: Academic freedom and meaningful international cooperation are needed to safeguard good health and well-being globally
Nature Medicine Correspondence
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Artificial Intelligence in migrant health: a critical perspective on opportunities and risks
The Lancet Regional Health Europe October 2025
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Health: A Political Choice - The Future of Health in a Fractured World
Publication launched at World Health Summit 2025, Berlin October 2025
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Alliance News
Governance
Executive Committee
The WHS Academic Alliance Executive Committee is elected by the WHS Academic Alliance from amongst its members and has the purpose to speak and act for its interests. It represents the network publicly and assumes operative responsibility.
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Lukoye Atwoli
International President 2026 & Professor and Dean & Deputy Director
Medical College East Africa & Brain and Mind Institute at the Aga Khan University
Kenya
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Contact
If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, our team is here to help. Please contact us via the botton below.
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