CAMO-Net’s third in-person gathering took place this month at the picturesque Monkey Valley Resort in Noordhoek, Cape Town. With the theme Context, Culture and Behaviour, the event brought together delegates from CAMO-Net’s National Hubs, Shadow Sites, and Tech Centres to discuss key challenges in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through dynamic collaboration and creative problem-solving.
With the consideration of the climate and the impact of travel on carbon footprints, CAMO-Net conducts much of its collaborative science online. However, meeting in person fosters deeper collaboration, strengthens relationships, builds trust and encourages the exchange of ideas in ways that virtual interactions often cannot achieve. This is what CAMO-Net members got to experience during this in-person gathering.
Exploring AMR through new perspectives
The meeting in Cape Town, hosted by University of Cape Town’s CAMO-Net South Africa leads Professor Marc Mendelson and Associate Professor Esmita Charani, consisted of several workshops. At the heart of these workshops was an engaging case study focused on an antibiotic-resistant bacterial outbreak. Delegates worked through complex scenarios, leveraging their unique expertise to consider solutions through intersectional lenses.
By applying intersectional perspectives, attendees explored how context, culture, and individual behaviours intersect with the global challenge of AMR. The discussions highlighted the importance of addressing both systemic and grassroots challenges, ensuring that strategies resonate across diverse regions and realities.
Though the case study was fictional, the diverse approaches taken to addressing it offered insights into how the context specific expertise across CAMO-Net sites can complement each other when addressing challenges in dealing with AMR.
Workshops and dialogue
Throughout the weekend, workshops delved into critical topics such as intersectionality, AMR communication strategies, and the use of dashboards and data for implementing change. Participants also explored community engagement, capacity strengthening, and ethical dimensions of public health research. The open discussions and interactive sessions fostered the sharing of ideas across hubs, resulting in actionable understandings, strengthened collaborations, and cultural insights.
Cultural exchange in focus
Reflecting the meeting’s cultural theme, participants were encouraged to celebrate their identities by wearing outfits representing cultures they identify with, especially during Saturday’s dinner at Cape Point Vineyards. The evening offered a vibrant display of diversity, camaraderie, and mutual respect, further enriching the gathering’s spirit of collaboration.
Building momentum for the future
The CAMO-Net meeting in South Africa reinforced the network’s commitment to addressing AMR through culturally relevant and context-specific solutions.
A recurring message throughout the meeting was the immense strength of collaboration within the network. These in-person interactions allowed attendees to share insights, exchange experiences, and build deeper connections that virtual meetings often cannot replicate.
Pofessor Marc Mendelson said, “There’s tremendous power in this network, sharing thoughts and experiences is incredibly powerful, but it’s also important how we translate this power into action to mitigate antibiotic resistance. This network provides great opportunities for interaction, for thinking differently, and for tackling challenges together.”
As the meeting concluded, CAMO-Net colleagues reflected on the shared journey and the road ahead. The importance of intentionality in addressing AMR was a central takeaway, as was the recognition of AMR as a public health crisis requiring bold and sustained action. CAMO-Net has demonstrated that when diverse expertise comes together within a supportive network, the potential for impact is incredible.
This meeting could not have happened without the incredible efforts of CAMO-Net South Africa Project Manager Katrina Downing and her team. With the baton now passed to London for the next meeting in June 2025, CAMO-Net members left Cape Town inspired and energised, ready to continue their work in transforming the global response to AMR.
