The WHS Academic Alliance
The "WHS Academic Alliance" (formerly M8 Alliance) is the academic network of the World Health Summit. It currently consists of around 30 members worldwide, including the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), which represents the national academies of medicine and science in more than 100 countries.
The Alliance was initiated by Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin in 2009 on the occasion of the first World Health Summit. The International Presidency of the World Health Summit rotates annually among members of the WHS Academic Alliance.
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Goal
Agenda-setting for global health improvement and promotion of science-based solutions to global health challenges.
Activities
The WHS Academic Alliance members work together on a range of issues, such as Migrant and Refugee Health. Every year, there is an Alliance track at the annual WHS.
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New WHS Academic Alliance Working Group Launched at World Health Summit 2025
The first WHS Academic Alliance Working Group was officially launched in collaboration with UNICEF and Blockchain for Impact (BFI), with NIMS University (India) serving as the central secretariat.
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WHS Academic Alliance Sessions
WHS Regional Meetings
Each year, the World Health Summit in Berlin 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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Nairobi, Kenya - April 27-29, 2026
The WHS Regional Meeting 2026, hosted by Aga Khan University, will bring together leaders and changemakers from across the African continent and beyond. Together, let's find solutions for pressing health challenges.
Alliance News
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Recent Publications
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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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Joint Call Reinforcing the Commitment to Addressing Migration & Health
Endorsed by the WHS Academic Alliance, jointly with Virchow Foundation and various partners June 2025
Digital solutions for migrant and refugee health: a framework for analysis and action
The Lancet Regional Health Europe March 2025
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Global Solutions Journal: Think Global, Fund Global
May 2025
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Health: A Political Choice - Advancing Indigenous Peoples' Rights and Well-being
Publication launched at WHS Regional Meeting in Melbourne, Australia April 2024
See all publications
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Impact
At the World Health Summit in October in Berlin, the WHS Academic Alliance contributes to the main program of the WHS by co-hosting up to 10 sessions each year.
The annual WHS Regional Meetings are always hosted by members of the WHS Academic Alliance. In addition, the Alliance organizes various other activities within the network, such as awards, Expert Meetings and research projects.
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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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WHS Academic Alliance Declaration in Nature Medicine
In this official WHS Academic Alliance Declaration, members of the WHS Academic Alliance, including WHS President Prof. Dr. Axel R. Pries, highlight the importance of free science and global partnerships to achieve worldwide health goals.
Governance
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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Membership
If you are an academic institution interested in becoming a member of the WHS Academic Alliance, please contact us for details.
The following criteria are mandatory:
- Highest quality of the institution with respect to overall academic excellence and standing in its country or region
- Proven expertise in areas relevant for global health
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion as characteristics of the institution
- Suitability of the institution to the search profile of the WHS Academic Alliance
New members are elected by the WHS Academic Alliance assembly.