Youth leadership to advance Traditional Medicine for Equity and Access
Traditional Medicine is deeply connected to health equity, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and Indigenous knowledge systems. Yet across the world, traditional and Indigenous health systems continue to face barriers in policy recognition, governance, and meaningful integration into mainstream healthcare.
This youth-led side event at the World Health Assembly brings together young leaders, policymakers, researchers, civil society, and global health stakeholders to explore how youth can help advance Traditional Medicine within equitable and sustainable healthcare systems.
The session will examine the role of Traditional Medicine at the intersection of:
Planetary Health & One Health
Climate Action & Biodiversity
Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Preservation
Digital Innovation & AI-enabled Knowledge Systems
Youth Participation in Global Health Governance
Aligned with the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034, the event aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration while amplifying youth voices in decision-making spaces related to health, climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development.
Speakers & Contributors
Shyama Kuruvilla — Director (a.i.), GTMC
Gokul Rajendran — Founder, Govardhan & GITMA
TBC - Ministry Participation
Rusha Patel — IPSF (Moderator)
Ziyi Xiao — IPSF Graduate
Asli Yildirim — Biomedical Scientist, Türkiye/Belgium, IVAA / EUROCAM
Video Address by Fionah Njeri — Founder, Treemendous Organics, Kenya
What to Expect
Keynote and panel discussion
Youth-led dialogue on policy and innovation
Discussions on protecting traditional knowledge and equitable access
Community-driven and digital approaches to Traditional Medicine
Networking with global health, climate, and youth stakeholders
This session is open to youth delegates, health professionals, researchers, Indigenous knowledge advocates, policymakers, and anyone interested in the future of Traditional Medicine and planetary health.
Organised by : Govardhan, GITMA, WHO GTMC , IPSF, IVAA, TCIH Coalition & EUROCAM
Anchoring Partner : UN University CRIS
Seats are limited. Register now to join the conversation.