Decolonising Public Health Globally: Progress and Possibilities: IWG WFPHA

In 2023 the Indigenous Working Group (IWG) of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA) opened discussions on the importance of decolonisation to global public health. Since then, the IWG has been building this conversation through widespread engagement with community, global, regional and governmental stakeholders, hosting further online webinars including decolonising public health for systems change, education and training and drafting key policy documents. There is ongoing work building relationships and Indigenous representation across global health organisations and forums. 

See previous IWG Webinars: 

WFPHA | Decolonizing Public Health: Creating Language for Action, Discussing a Draft Definition 

WFPHA | GPHW24: Decolonization's role in Rethinking Public Health Paradigms

WFPHA | Decolonizing Public Health Education & Training

This webinar for Global Public Health Week 2025 highlights the Indigenous Working Group’s progress and future possibilities in decolonising public health globally.

This webinar will be Chaired by Adrian Te Patu (Aotea, Kurahaupo), Indigenous Working Group Chair.

The panel will consist of Emma Rawson-Te Patu (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai te Rangi, Raukawa, and Ngāti Hauā), World Federation of Public Health Associations President and Alejandro Bermudez del-Villar (US), VP, Global Indigenous Systems, Programs and Platforms, Cedar Rock Alliance, and Global Co-ordinator, Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance and IWG member.

Participants will have opportunities through the zoom platform to ask questions. These will be explored at the end of the webinar.

Chair and Panelist bios: 

Adrian Te Patu (Aotea, Kurahaupo)

For over four decades Adrian has worked for government departments, crown agencies, community organisations, iwi and health providers including Crown Public Health (employed by Ngai Tahu Development Corporation, seconded to CPH) Canterbury District Health Board (Maori Advisor to the Rural Health Service under Garth Bateup). He has also been a member of various government reference and advisory groups.

Currently a Director of ManuKahu Associates – Indigenous Consultants, specialising in Tiriti (Treaty) alignment, research, Indigenous consultation, Public Health leadership, Māori capacity and capability development, mentoring, scoping, resource development, social marketing, relationship management, international speaking, and facilitation.

Current leadership, governance and advisory roles include: Board of Directors - Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Chair of the Indigenous Working Group of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (first Indigenous member of the governing council). Adrian is also Co-Director of the Centre for Men’s Health – University of Otago NZ.

Emma Rawson-Te Patu (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai te Rangi, Raukawa, and Ngāti Hauā)

From the tribal groups of Ngati Ranginui, Ngai te Rangi, Raukawa and Ngati Haua, in Aotearoa / New Zealand, Emma Rawson-Te Patu is a director of ManuKahu Associates, Indigenous Consultants. Emma is President of the World Federation of Public Health Associations, the first Indigenous woman to hold this role. Emma is a founding member of the Indigenous Working Group of the WFPHA. She is a Researcher/Trainer, experienced facilitator and proud health promoter. Emma has a Master of Philosophy with Honors (First Class) focussing on Institutional racism in Public Health. Emma an expert advisor recently contracted to the WHO and has been a consultant to the New Zealand Human Rights Commission. Emmas passion is developing training and frameworks for dismantling institutional racism, supporting culturally responsive, human rights based public health approaches and socially/culturally conscious business strategy and organisational development. Emma is working on developing a global Indigenous public health institute in conjunction with broader Indigenous networks working in the global health space.

Alejandro Bermudez del-Villar (US)

Mr. Bermudez-del-Villar serves as Cedar Rock Alliance’s International Advisor on Global Indigenous Systems and Platforms in Washington, DC. He is a bilingual, bicultural nonprofit professional with over 20 years of experience leading and managing public health, equity, and technology grants and contracts from the Indian Health Service, with a focus on Urban Indian Health Organizations (UIOs). He has also worked with private, federal, and global agencies such as the CDC, CMS, DHHS, USAID, SAMHSA, and PAHO/WHO, as well as private programs on AI/AN health from various national and international foundations.

Mr. Bermudez-del-Villar advises on, designs, and manages multi-stakeholder partnership-building efforts related to the health and well-being of Tribal and Urban American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, as well as global Indigenous populations. He serves as the coordinator for the Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance (IDHA), a nonprofit comprising 22 global Indigenous researchers, advocates, and policymakers from the seven regions of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, dedicated to accelerating structural and systemic changes benefiting Tribal and Indigenous Peoples worldwide.

Formerly, he served as Vice President of the National Council of Urban Indian Health’s Program and Operations Division, assisting Urban Indian Organizations with sustainability and service expansion. Prior to that, he worked as Latin American and Global Program Manager for the Global Drug Information Association, International Consultant for AfrikaICT Strategies, and Deputy Chief of Party for USAID’s Global Dot-Com Alliance, implemented by Internews.

In addition to his professional work, Mr. Bermudez-del-Villar volunteers as a cultural interpreter for TIME Collaborative’s Tejiendo con la Madre Tierra (Weaving with Mother Earth) initiative, which fosters knowledge exchanges between Indigenous communities from South America and Tribal Nations from North America. He also serves as a Technical Assistant for U.S.-based Mayan communities.

Originally from Mexico City, he holds a B.A. in International Relations from Universidad IberoAmericana (UIA), an M.A. in Communication, Culture, and Technology from Georgetown University, a Graduate Certificate in International Business Diplomacy from Georgetown University, an International Law Graduate Diploma from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM), and a Certificate in European Union Economics from the University of Antwerp, Belgium. He is currently pursuing doctoral studies in International Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Washington, DC.

Banner photo: Dja Dja Wurrung land. Photo credit Penelope Smith (Filipino Australian | Public Health Academic | PhD Candidate, and IWG member).

The Dja Dja Wurrung (also known as Jaara or Djadjawurrung) are an Aboriginal Australian people who are the traditional owners of lands in the Bendigo region of central Victoria, Australia, including the water catchment areas of the Loddon and Avoca rivers.