Strengthening Global Ties: A Distinguished Humphrey Fellow Visits San Diego to Discuss Indigenous Public Policy
October 2, 2024, we had the privilege of hosting Mr. Gifford, a Distinguished Humphrey Fellow (Fulbright) from New Zealand’s Ministry of Justice, for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and opportunities in serving urban indigenous populations.
The visit, coordinated by the San Diego Diplomacy Council, brought together leaders from various sectors to exchange strategies and insights on public policy frameworks aimed at improving health and social outcomes for indigenous communities. Mr. Gifford, who specializes in Māori public policy strategies, shared his expertise on effective governance, justice, and cultural preservation efforts in New Zealand. His work aligns closely with our mission at SDAIHC, where we strive to provide culturally competent healthcare to American Indian and Alaskan Native populations in the heart of San Diego.
A Global Exchange of Indigenous Policy Solutions
During the discussion, Dr. LaChapelle and Mr. Gifford explored key topics such as:
Health Equity for Urban Indigenous Populations: Understanding the challenges of providing accessible healthcare in metropolitan settings and strategies to improve health outcomes.
Culturally-Informed Policy Approaches: The importance of integrating indigenous perspectives into public policy to ensure community-driven solutions.
Cross-Cultural Learnings: How Māori-focused frameworks in New Zealand can inform indigenous healthcare and justice initiatives in the United States.
Building Sustainable Partnerships: Strengthening global networks to foster collaboration between indigenous organizations worldwide.
Diplomacy in Action: Strengthening Global Indigenous Advocacy
The Distinguished Humphrey Fellowship Program (DHFP), a prestigious exchange initiative sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, aims to cultivate leadership, multilateral collaboration, and cooperative solutions to shared global challenges. Through this program, professionals like Mr. Gifford gain executive-level training and establish meaningful connections that drive impactful policy changes in their home countries.
PowerMentor recognizes the power of citizen diplomacy in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for indigenous communities. This engagement with Mr. Gifford provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences, learn from international best practices, and reaffirm our commitment to advancing indigenous health equity through policy, advocacy, and community-led solutions.
Looking Ahead
This exchange underscores the importance of global indigenous solidarity and the role of culturally informed leadership in addressing systemic challenges. We extend our gratitude to the San Diego Diplomacy Council for facilitating this meaningful dialogue and to Mr. Gifford for sharing his expertise and perspectives.
As we continue our work, we look forward to further collaborations with international leaders who share our vision for empowering indigenous communities through holistic, community-centered approaches.
