As Mari-Luz Kerkhoven, Youth Ambassador for the ONE Campaign, closed the Health and Prosperity: How Dutch Investments in Global Health Drive Security and Economic Growth conference with a powerful message of urgency, we invited her to reflect on the day’s discussions.

Policymakers have to take responsibility and continue supporting global health investments; with this message, I concluded the KIT Institute event Health and Prosperity: How Dutch Investments in Global Health Drive Security and Economic Growth. I was invited to this event to participate and speak as a Youth Ambassador from the ONE Campaign, an international organisation striving for a just world by demanding the necessary investments to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa. I believe that by collaborating and investing in global health we can ensure that every person has a chance to lead a healthy life. 

Health, Security, and Economic Growth Are Intertwined

Throughout the day we heard from academia, government representatives, the private sector, and civil society organisations about how global health investments are essential for promoting economic growth, enhancing global stability, and ensuring access to health for all. The COVID-19 pandemic showed us that diseases have no borders and that without coordinated international efforts, global health challenges can have far-reaching consequences.

Yet, as was emphasized by Anja Schreijer from the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center at Erasmus MC, it does not seem as if the COVID-19 pandemic paved the way for a comprehensive action plan in case of a new pandemic. With increasing global health challenges exacerbated by climate change, it begs the question if we are sufficiently prepared.

Luckily, global health initiatives such as Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and The Global Fund have been very effective in fighting preventable diseases. According to an analysis by ONE, only the Dutch investments in Gavi have saved the lives of 645,298 people and led to the vaccination of more than 37 million children. Likewise, since the inception of The Global Fund in 2002, the lives of 65 million people have been saved and the combined death rate from AIDS, TB, and malaria was cut by 63%. Therefore, continuing to invest in these organisations is essential to save the lives of millions of people.

Shifting Priorities in Development Cooperation

At the same time, the priorities of governments are shifting when it comes to development cooperation. Donor countries are increasingly more concerned with seeking benefits to their economy and security of their country for their investments in development cooperation. For example, the Dutch minister for ‘Development Aid’ published her policy note in February 2025 stating that Dutch investments in ‘development aid’ are going to be centered around three Dutch interests: trade and economy, stability and security, and migration.

This change in discourse was also highlighted by having the private sector present during the event. Speakers from Dutch companies, such as Tony’s Chocolonely, Philips, and Delft Imaging explained how they work together with Gavi and The Global Fund, because it is in their (business) interest while it also prevents suffering. As Belinda Borck, Global Public Policy Coordinator & Chocolonely Foundation explained, when cocoa farmers get sick from Malaria they are not able to work, meaning less cocoa production for Tony’s. But this goes even further than the workforce. As Krystal Birungi, Field Entomology Coordinator at Target Malaria Uganda emphasized, by investing in malaria initiatives children are able to go to school as they are not sick, and money that would normally be used for healthcare can go towards education. Global health initiatives thus create opportunities for people to live up to their full potential.

Global Health Is About People

More importantly, as Krystal passionately explained, global health is about people. Yes, it is great that global health initiatives contribute to direct benefits to the economy, but it is even better that it prevents suffering and contributes to society at large. Personally, I connected with Krystal’s point that global health is about people, and these investments save lives because I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to live a healthy life and be able to lead the life they would like to lead. I had the privilege to pursue the studies of my interest in the Netherlands because I did not have to worry about my health. Why should I enjoy this privilege and others not? Although I personally connect with this moral argument, it is clear that investments in initiatives as Gavi and the Global Fund have economic benefits as they lead to a healthy workforce and economy.

A Call to Action for Policymakers

To build a stronger future for everyone, I call upon policymakers to take responsibility and continue their support for global health initiatives. One step in the right direction is ensuring the life-saving work of Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is fully funded in 2025. Another step is to make sure to include young people in policy-making decisions. Our generation has the energy, creativity, and determination to address global health challenges and create sustainable solutions that will have lasting impact. In a time where investments in development cooperation are decreasing, we need creativity to overcome this challenge. As a young person, I believe it is vital for us to be part of shaping policies that will influence our future. By continuing to support global health initiatives we can promote economic growth, enhance global health security, but more importantly ensure that everyone has access to healthcare. Because none of us are equal until all of us are equal.