Research & Service

(left to right) Dean Linda Fried, U.S. Ambassador Charles Rivkin, and Columbia President Lee Bollinger

Columbia University launched its newest global presence, the Columbia Global Centers | Europe, in Paris with events hosted by Columbia President Lee Bollinger and Mailman School Dean Linda Fried.

The launch attracted more than 200 distinguished alumni, scholars, business leaders, and political figures including Princess Zahra Aga Khan; His Excellency Zaid al-Rifai, former Prime Minister of Jordan, and his wife, Mona al-Rifai; and Consuelo Remmert.

In recognition of the centrality of public health to any global programming, President Bollinger has designated the Mailman School to take the lead on the Center’s research and academic programming.

“We are in an increasingly interconnected and complex world, with an ever-increasing need for public health knowledge, leadership and collaboration,” said Linda Fried, dean of the Mailman School, to the attendees. “This gathering enables us to consider, together, the public health challenges ahead of us - and the opportunities and necessities for collaboration in developing solutions to improve the public’s health.”

Public Health Challenges of the 21st Century

The event took place at the center’s new home in Columbia’s Reid Hall. Panelists representing a number of academic and public health institutions from different countries led discussions on current and forthcoming public health challenges and the role of the global university.

The public health discussion focused on sentinel global changes that are almost certain to have an impact on the health of global populations in coming decades. Panelists highlighted the changing population demographics, particularly aging, population migration, and globalization as key trends that will importantly influence public health.

The discussion also emphasized that the health of global populations is interlinked and that consideration of health in any one country must build on health lessons learned in other countries.

The day culminated with a special reception in honor of Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, hosted by U.S. Ambassador Charles Rivkin at his residence.

A Global Presence

Mailman School partnerships and research projects touch all corners of the globe. The School’s leadership role in developing programming for the Columbia Global Centers | Europe provides another avenue for initiating and strengthening relationships abroad with leading public health academics, practitioners, and organizations.