It is with great enthusiasm and a deep commitment to advancing public health education worldwide that I invite the public health community and other stakeholders to join us in launching the International Council for Accreditation and Advancement of Public Health Education (ICAPHE).  The mission of ICAPHE is “To enhance the quality and impact of global public health education through rigorous accreditation processes, research, collaboration and sharing of good practice.” By establishing a rigorous and credible accreditation process, ICAPHE will enable public health schools and programs to demonstrate their commitment to delivering high-quality education and training that meets international standards. This will not only benefit students and professionals but will also contribute to improving population health outcomes and advancing the field of public health globally.

Today, we embark on a transformative journey to elevate the standards of public health education globally, ensuring that our public health institutions are equipped and positioned to meet the increasingly complex challenges of our time.

As we launch ICAPHE, we recognize the critical role that public health professionals play in safeguarding and improving the health of populations around the world. The accreditation and advancement process we establish will not only enhance the quality of education but will also empower our graduates to be frontline leaders and advocates in addressing health inequities and inequalities, emerging diseases, and the social determinants of adverse health outcomes.

This is a call to action for all stakeholders in public health education; institutions, educators, professionals, planners, donors, and students to join this noble endeavor. Together, we can create a global network of excellence in public health education that is second to none and that is responsive to the needs of communities and societies all over the world.

By joining ICAPHE, you can become part of a movement that values innovation, transparency, integrity, accountability, effectiveness and impact in public health education.  We invite you to be part of shaping the future of public health education, contributing your expertise and benefiting from the collective wisdom of experts from the six world regions.

Let us work together to advance public health education and make a long-lasting difference in the lives of people everywhere.

Welcome to ICAPHE – a Council for outstanding professionals where quality meets commitment and together we can rise to the challenge of a healthier and more productive world.

We look forward to collaborating with each of you in this important work.

Sincerely

Professor Friday Okonofua, MD, PhD (International Health, Karolinska),