T H I N K I N G G L O B A L LY
THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES
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e are living in a time requiring deep humility. How is it that our world, despite all of its resources, technological and diagnostic advances, cannot work together more efficiently to get the upper hand on a virus?
The pandemic ushered in a global shared reality — a reality where we more deeply understand our interconnectedness. And with this shared experience, we have the chance to evolve, or reconstruct partnerships and practices to meet the new realiBRUCE ties. It will take humility to see COMPTON that what was before might not have been what was best. This column is the second of a series in which CHA members and global partners highlight one of the six Guiding Principles for Conducting International Health Activities in the context of their
own global efforts. The series is a call for all our ministry’s efforts to be more sensitive to the realities and stated needs on the ground in low- and middle-income communities rather than pursuing our goals for what we hope to provide. Sharing her experiences with the Guiding Principle of Humility is Camille Grippon, who serves as the system director of Global Ministries at Bon Secours Mercy Health. I have long respected her thoughtful approach to international health activities. I hope her message resonates and allows anyone who participates in or plans global health exercises to look at their own approaches from a different perspective.
Humility CAMILLE GRIPPON
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or those who work in Global Health, there are often stories shared of two distinct realities. One reality centers on those who value and cultivate right relationships with local partners and another reality centers on those who seek their own or their organization’s interest. This was true before COVID-19, and it will likely be true post-pandemic. However, Humility, one of the Guiding Principles for Conducting International Health Activities, can teach people and organizations a lot about cooperation and collaboration in a time that we need it the most. Before COVID-19, many groups conducting international trips did not involve local leadership. I remember hearing about an outreach trip over a decade ago where a large U.S. group arrived to a country with no host present. When asked why there was no host present, the response was that the flight tickets had already been purchased before an arrangement with the host had been finalized, and time was money. Host or no host, the trip
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was not rescheduled and, needless to say, it was not successful. If there hasn’t been enough planning in partnership with those in-country, actions shouldn’t continue for a visit simply because tickets have already been purchased. Just because we can, does not mean we should. Many well-intentioned individuals volunteer their time and skill in communities that are vulnerable throughout the world. Their intentions are noble, yet their actions sometimes lack appropriate self-reflection and self-awareness to ensure that they are entering the country as guests, practicing humility and building right relationships based on mutuality. Relationships marked by mutuality build relationships where both domestic and international partners benefit and take away relevant lessons.
PRACTICING HUMILITY
A foundational example of humility in my mind is the image of Jesus washing the feet of his disci-
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HEALTH PROGRESS
