The Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) is a national non-governmental organization that works domestically and internationally to reduce global health inequities and strengthen health systems. Founded in 1977, CSIH attempts to realize its goals through the dedication of its membership and staff. CSIH is governed by a Board of Directors.
CSIH members share a common interest and commitment to global health, global health research, and international development. They members include individuals and organizations representing a broad spectrum of experience in various disciplines. Members contribute considerable time and energy to CSIH’s many activities, programs and projects, and connect CSIH to other organizations in Canada and abroad. Through the engagement of its members and partners, CSIH endeavors to bring together various communities engaged in global health in order to promote a collective agenda.
Strategic Focus
Convening the Canadian global health community
CSIH enables global health practitioners, researchers, educators, policy makers, and community advocates to exchange information and learning and foster strategic alliances and collaborative endeavours.
CSIH also coordinates and supports national and international networks on issues of global public health importance that align with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Some examples of the work in this area include public engagement activities, a resource library, the Canadian Conference on Global Health, and the Hep C Network.
Outside of Canada, CSIH works on projects that assist Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) to strengthen their health systems by improving their technical processes and training healthcare personnel.
CSIH has extensive experience planning and implementing health sector projects in LMICs in Latin America, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, in collaboration with local partners. CSIH has worked in areas such as health sector reform, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, child and youth health, and national health promotion.
CSIH places a special focus on the needs of students and young professionals in the field of global health. Through a program of mentoring by seasoned experts, SYPS are trained as future leaders while bringing their own fresh perspective to the discussion.
Project Regions
CSIH has established a solid reputation as an efficient and effective project manager of bilateral, multilateral, and international projects in the following regions:
Areas of Expertise
For more than fifteen years, CSIH has acted as an executing agency for international health and development projects and has promoted and facilitated research, education, and service activities in global health through the mobilization of Canadian human and technical resources. CSIH provides technical assistance and management services in the areas of:
Health System Strengthening
-CSIH Projects Related to Health Systems Strengthening
-Balkans Primary Healthcare Policy Project
-Guyana Public Health Strengthening Project
-Balkans Youth for Health Project
-Philippines Health Equity Reform Project
-South Caucasus Health Information Project
-Youth for Health Project — Ukraine
-Building Capacity for Health Reform Project in Bolivia
HIV/AIDS programming
-Positive Children’s Project Ukraine (2005 – 2008)
-Canada Southeast Asia Regional HIV/AIDS Program (2004 – 2008); in Association with the HealthBridge Foundation of Canada
-HIV/AIDS Small Grants Fund – Phase I, II, III (2000 – 2008) ; in Association with the Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development
-Public Health Strengthening in Guyana Project (2002 – 2008)
-Projet d’Appui a l’amélioration de la santé de la reproduction au niveau communautaire dans la région de Kayes au Mali (2003 – 2008); in Association with the University of Montreal and CARE Canada
-Balkans Youth and Health Project (2005 – 2009) in Association with World University Services Canada
-Youth for Health, Ukraine – Phases I & II (1998 – 2006)
Programs
CSIH also provides facilitation services, including workshops/consultations/regional events coordination, strategic partnership development, and volunteer placement.
