Pandemic Center
First-ever Biosecurity Game Changers Next Gen Leaders Conference in Addis Ababa
Outcomes & Next Steps by Game Changers for Game Changers
Read the Chair's Summary drafted by Next-Gen leaders to chart an action-focused path forward.
In September 2024, the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health hosted a workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for next generation biosecurity leaders as part of its "Biosecurity Game Changers Initiative". The event brought together early- to mid-career professionals from across the African continent, including experts in the fields of biosecurity and public health, the inaugural class of Biosecurity Game Changers Fellows, and international partner organizations. The goal of the convening was to chart paths forward on key policy issues central to preventing, detecting, and responding to future worst case biological scenarios.
This workshop served as the formal kickoff for the Biosecurity Game Changers Fellowship program, which launched this year. The Pandemic Center is partnering with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the International Biosecurity and Biosafety Initiative for Science (IBBIS), Pandemic Action Network (PAN), and the Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (BWC ISU) to provide experiential learning for fellows who are selected for their leadership potential to impact the fields of biosecurity, biosafety, and pandemic preparedness and response. The program is informed by consultation with international and normative entities, including the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization Global Health Emergency Corps. The effort is a key component of the Biosecurity Game Changers initiative, which seeks to fundamentally change how decision-makers are trained to better prevent and prepare for worst-case biological scenarios. The first cohort of the Fellowship program, their placement organizations, and other advising agencies of the fellowship were among the workshop’s attendees.
Throughout the course of the workshop, participants engaged in sessions designed to illuminate key challenges in biosecurity and to develop innovative solutions. Topics included policy and operational barriers in biosecurity, lessons that still need to be learned from previous outbreaks, critical gaps in health security architecture, and a scenario based exercise which placed participants in the role of policy maker during an emerging outbreak at the intersection of artificial intelligence and biotechnology. Ultimately, participants also developed a policy pitch to provide action-oriented solutions.
The workshop’s participants discussed and decided on three major policy challenges: (1) improving biosafety and biosecurity to safely and responsibly achieve the goals of the 100-Day Mission; (2) developing new and more comprehensive approaches to detecting known and unknown threats early and aligning detection triggers with public health actions; and (3) building and financing the capacity to produce, manufacture, and distribute medical countermeasures across Africa and around the world more rapidly, equitably, and sustainably. Through a scenario-based discovery session, the group also identified key needs for incorporating biosecurity and biosafety innovations into the development of biodesign tools enabled by artificial intelligence.
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During the meeting in Addis, the Brown Pandemic Center also convened a Steering Committee of top experts from partner organizations around the world to discuss and advise on next steps for the Biosecurity Game Changers Initiative.
The Biosecurity Game Changers program is well aligned with the Africa CDC’s continental biosafety and biosecurity initiative and very much resonates with our effort in strengthening the epidemic Intelligence capacity of Member States and building early warning systems. We look forward to working with the incoming fellows including creating placement opportunities at Africa CDC.
Head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Laboratory Systems & Networks
We need global networks of forward-looking, innovation-minded leaders to address evolving threats to health security. It's exciting to see the first group of Game Changers and the projects they are undertaking, which reflect the need for cross-sector approaches to biosecurity and pandemic preparedness.
CEO of Sentinel Bio
The atmosphere of hope and creativity generated by the leaders and mentors guiding young professionals in the room were palpable and exhilarating. I have no doubt that this group of future leaders possess the attributes to train others as well as to forge the global network of future leaders that can stand ready to face the public health challenges to come.
Africa CDC’s Senior Advisor on Innovation and Digitization
In the Africa region, we still require more experts in Biosafety and Biosecurity, especially at the policy and leadership level to drive strengthening Member states capacities and capabilities in BSBS. The Game Changer Initiative is a uniquely designed and timely initiative to build BSBS leaders of tomorrow.
Director of Programs at the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM):
The highlight of the workshop was meeting so many brilliant and impressive up and coming leaders, who are approaching biosecurity from a range of disciplines, whether government, academic or multilateral organization.
Founder and CEO of The Panorama Group
Following this meeting, the Game Changers cohort will convene regularly to further policy actions in identified areas. The group also will identify next steps for adapting workshop content into short courses aimed across the disciplines of public health, biomedical sciences and bioengineering/synthetic biology, international security, artificial intelligence, and nonproliferation.
Whats Next?
Our primary objective is to enhance biosafety and biosecurity measures, ensuring that research and responses are conducted safely and responsibly. This commitment is essential to achieving the 100-Day Mission.
Our next goal is to develop innovative approaches for detecting both known and emerging biological threats. This approach will give us the ability to identify and address threats more effectively.
Our final goal is to build the capacity to finance, produce, manufacture, and distribute medical countermeasures across all 5 regions of the African continent.