Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity in Southeast Asia The Atlantic Fellows for Health Equity (AFHESEA) also known as the Equity Initiative, is an exciting program that nurtures health equity leaders in Southeast Asia and China who are deeply committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and social justice in their communities and beyond. This unique initiative is linked to global and regional institutions and partners, world-class expertise and knowledge, with a long-term vision and sustained support, backed by a pooled fund from the CMB Foundation and the Atlantic Philanthropies. Our Fellows are mid-career professionals from Southeast Asia and China from any sector, who has demonstrated leadership in their field, have shown commitment to equity and social justice, have a long-term vision to promote systems change for health equity, and are interested in a lifelong engagement with our Equity Community.
Launched in 2016, AFHESEA is one of seven, inter-connected Atlantic Fellows programs, collaborating across disciplines and borders to understand and challenge the root causes of inequality.
The Induction Year Fellows join a diverse group of 25-30 peers for 6 weeks of in-person learning events over the course of a year within Southeast Asia and the globe to advance their competency in leadership and health equity. Upon finishing the induction year, Fellows receive seed funding to conduct their second-year project- a collaborative project focused on health equity which they conduct with their peers.
Lifelong Fellowship Our fellowship year serves as the beginning of a lifelong journey for our Fellows. Upon completing the induction year, Fellows become part of a connected network that spans cohorts, countries, and regions. Through peer connections and regional networks, they collaborate with other professionals who are dedicated to promoting health equity and join the esteemed Atlantic Fellows community. On top of this, AFHESEAsupports ongoing personal growth, introspection, and technical training, in activities such as advocacy, dialogue, sharing knowledge. Fellows are also given grant opportunities to implement collaborative projects to challenge the existing power structures and foster a more equitable society.