The general public is better informed on tropical medicine and international health topics

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) is an autonomous academic institute specialised in scientific research, postgraduate education and expert service delivery in tropical medicine and public health in developing countries. Its expertise is central to 8 of the 17 Strategic Development Goals and related to 7 others. In its Belgian programme, ITM pursues its over-all goal of improving health in developing countries through (1) academic capacity strengthening of individuals and institutes; (2) policy support and networking; (3) de-velopment education and advocacy. Academic strengthening includes scholarships for training at ITM and the constitution of an Academic Alliance with institutional partners from the South. This Alliance will be built up gradually as a platform for joint activities including student and staff exchange, global fellowships, quality assurance, curriculum development and digital learning forms. Policy support to the Directorate General Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD) and other Belgian and global actors will offer specific expertise in DGD's designated priority fields, and will also be fed by networks of actors at national (Be-cause Health) and international (International Health Policy) level. Development education and advocacy will focus on global health awareness in general, political and professional constituencies; the effectiveness of north-south partnerships; and international meetings in which scientists and experts from the South can raise their voice.