As part of the United Nations General Assembly high-level meeting on AMR, CAMO-Net members showcased their public engagement work at event in New York. Key stakeholders from around the world gathered at the Carnegie Corporation Headquarters to learn about our work and discuss global action on AMR through education and public engagement.
Key figures in global health took part in the event, including Dame Louise Richardson, President of the Carnegie Corporation, Professor the Lord Ara Darzi, Executive Chair of the Fleming Initiative, Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, and Jeremy Knox, Head of Policy, Infectious Disease at Wellcome. They highlighted the importance of public engagement in the global effort to address AMR and emphasised the need for international cooperation in tackling this crisis.
The CAMO-Net project was used as an example of how this is possible. Representatives from around the world came together, including Professor Alison Holmes, Professor Anna Levin, Professor Senjuti Saha, Professor Marc Mendelson, Mercy Kukundakwe, and Tasha Koch. Professor Alison Holmes, CAMO-Net Lead, hosted several key discussions throughout the session. She said, “Public engagement is crucial in ensuring that AMR is recognised not only as a scientific issue but one that affects everyday lives.” Professor Holmes added that collaborative work across borders, particularly in high-burden areas, is key to a successful response.
Professor Senjuti Saha, CAMO-Net Bangladesh lead, shared how the Child Health Research Foundation’s Building Scientist for Bangladesh programme engages communities directly in science. “AMR is often invisible to many, but through hands-on engagement, such as showing how bacteria survive despite antibiotics, we make it real for people,” she explained. CAMO-Net’s focus on practical, community-based solutions was a key theme throughout the day.
From CAMO-Net Uganda, Mercy Kukundakwe emphasised how cultural tools like music, dance, and drama are being used to spread awareness of AMR. She explained that these methods resonate with local communities and are effective in promoting behaviour change. “Music and drama help make the message accessible to all,” she said, reflecting CAMO-Net’s belief in tailoring public engagement strategies to suit the needs of communities around the world.
The event highlighted how CAMO-Net’s innovative approach to community engagement and its ability to form meaningful partnerships provide a model for others to follow. Professor Holmes reiterated CAMO-Net’s role as a global leader in the field, saying, “The work we are doing shows that by empowering communities and collaborating across borders, we can make real progress on AMR.”
After a series of insightful sessions and showcased examples of leadership in AMR education and public engagement innovation from around the world, the day concluded with a performance by the cast of Lifeline the Musical, demonstrating the role of theatre in raising awareness about AMR.
The discussions made it clear that while AMR remains a significant challenge, the work being led by organisations like CAMO-Net offers hope for a future where public engagement plays a central role in addressing this global health crisis.
