#InTheEyesOfMC: Unending Checkboxes & Mirror Reflections (Visa Edition)

Disclaimer: This article handles a topic that may be triggering to some readers. Reader discretion is adviced.

Reflections and Context Analysis

It has been two weeks since I last rumbled and a lot has happened in those two weeks that made me remember this image that was on Prof. Madhu Pai's tweet and PowerPoint slide during the Anti-Blackness in Global Health event held about three months ago at African Population and Health Research Center in Nairobi

What dragged me to remember this photo was my annual mapping of potential global health events of interest for 2023 (Reference to Tweet & LinkedIn Post). Something I normally do at the end of the preceding year / January since 2018/19. My key rankings are normally:

1. Program and Content
2. Accessibility (now we have hybrid events so the list is still relatively long)
3. Affordability (i.e travel scholarship/fellowship)

The final list curated is of events in locations that don't need the hustles & bustles of visa appointments. The minor reason is that I want to save the trees of course because almost all embassies ask for hard copies of documents, but the major reason is that I know the process of applying is emotionally draining for an introvert like myself.

Would you blame me? I would say no. Here are sample statements I have heard in my applications/experiences

1. "You look like you are visa shopping"
2. "It looks like you're forcing your way into the country with the invitation letter you have presented" (PS: The invitation letter is from a host entity in the county in question)

Or maybe the numerous checks I go through when at immigration (my first encounter being at 10 years old, but that is a story for another day).

Now back to the topic. Many young leaders in developing world countries struggle to make their mark in the global health arena because the opportunities to sit in global discussions are either:

1. Hard to come by -----> Nowadays the opportunities have increased and adopted more remote options
2. Logistical nightmare -------> From fundraising if the event is not sponsored, to visa hustles, to immigration issues,
3. Cultural differences
4. Other specify (there will always be another issue)

What is more ironic is how the cost of a return flight within Africa (the continent I am based in) is equivalent to a return flight to another continent. So if you're thinking of going for conferences within your locality, you are more or less left contemplating your options i.e

Damned if you do (travel within), damned if you don't (take the leap of faith)

This in the long run might lead you to being told that your experience is insufficient to have a seat at a table because your prior experience is only one continent focused or that you do not know how to apply for a visa (statements I have also been told in my leadership journey)

The Unending Checkboxes In the Quest To Think Global & Act Local

Interestingly enough, many global health discussions take place with audiences and participants that do not meet this statement as there is usually a limited representation of the people who need to be in the discussions the most i.e developing countries and the long and short reason for this is the Passport And Visa Privileges in Global Health Diplomacy.

Furthermore, we have made it okay to turn a blind eye on this issue from time immemorial despite evidence showing us that the lower down the scale your country is in terms of development, the less useful your passport is when wanting to cross borders in search of knowledge that will expand your scope of thinking and make you a better changemaker in the health system that you serve in.

Now with the advent of the internet and courtesy of COVID-19, a lot of opportunities have been made available at the click of a button and this was fantastic when it was in the honeymoon phase. However, Zoom fatigue soon hit hard and fast and hence the gradual resumption of (now) hybrid events to bridge the gap, however, the global health conference inequity persists and the fact that the Global North dominate the discussion and hosts many of the leading organizations does not help as any opportunities based there will always be perceived as more superior than country office based opportunities (when they are there)

It is at this point that I regret to inform you that.....

There will always be a checkbox we will fail to tick

However, how can we tick more checkboxes?

The Mirror Reflection

A potential solution to this is definitely thinking of sustainable global health events e.g the World Health Assembly. This goes beyond efforts to carbon neutrality, but also empowering country offices to potentially host streaming parties for young people interested in viewing their proceedings (mobile internet is not cheap and in some countries it is unreliable), to more country office-based internships and most importantly, rescheduling crucial conferences if the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion criteria are not met (or hosting it in places where it can be met more easily).

However, none of these solutions will resonate with you if you look at the situation from the image you see in the mirror (what you experience each day). It needs one to be open-minded and accommodating towards not just offering a listening ear to those that experience challenges but also offering a stepping stone for them in solution creation and implementation. Before jumping to say a visa applicant does not know how to apply for a visa, ask yourself what is required to submit that application in the first place (just check visa requirements for someone from a developing world country) and some comments that people get, whilst at the visa officer counter (reference to my comments above, here is also one for you from Raymond Mugume )

The rumblings continue in two weeks' time. This time, I tackled being a woman in leadership (meanwhile you can leave comments below or DM if you want to give anonymized feedback)