Washington, D.C., 4 March, 2013 (PAHO/WHO) — The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is accepting applications for the 2013 Edmundo Granda Ugalde Leaders in International Health Program (LIHP)., which seeks to strengthen the capacity of countries in the Americas to analyze, define, advocate and project their national health interests within the complex global context.

The program is open to professionals working in public health, international relations, or related fields who are residents of countries of the Americas. The deadline for receipt of applications in PAHO/WHO Country Offices is 15 March 2013.

The LIHP 2013 is an eight-month program (May 2013 to February 2014) consisting of activities in the participant's country of residence, carried out under the guidance of the Program Coordination and the PAHO/WHO Country Office.

Selected participants will engage in activities, discussions and visits related to the principal health and development challenges facing their country and the region. They will also take part in a series of problem-based virtual modules and define a country project to be developed in coordination with representatives of PAHO/WHO, their governments and other institutions. Participants will also attend a one-week intensive training course in international health at an external location to be determined. These experiences will enable participants to form part of a community of practice and will strengthen network learning.

Participants may continue to function in their normal employment capacity on a part-time basis, if needed, while devoting approximately 50% of their working hours to the program. Participants maintain close ties with the PAHO/WHO Country Office and experience the technical as well as diplomatic and political dimensions of international cooperation.

Each PAHO/WHO Country Office will invite a group of short-listed applicants for in-country interviews. The results of these interviews will be sent to PAHO Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as input for the final selection process. Selected participants will be notified of their selection in early May.

For more information, please visit: www.paho.org/leadersininternationalhealth