Katri Bertram
@katribertram.bsky.social
Transforming global health and social impact. Private account & views.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katri-bertram-85025787 & katribertram.wordpress.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katri-bertram-85025787 & katribertram.wordpress.com
Hope to see many of you in person tomorrow (Monday). As the session (unfortunately) won't be livestreamed, I'll post a few points afterwards here on Bluesky. #GlobaleGesundheit #globalhealth
Can Germany and the EU fill the #globalhealth leadership void at a time when visionary and active leadership is needed more than ever? Join us for a discussion with the German government, European Commission and non-governmental stakeholders in Berlin on 19 January 👇 I'll be moderating (afternoon).
January 18, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Hope to see many of you in person tomorrow (Monday). As the session (unfortunately) won't be livestreamed, I'll post a few points afterwards here on Bluesky. #GlobaleGesundheit #globalhealth
Quite a “positive” take on Germany’s large cuts in development, humanitarian and global health budgets 👇
Facing steep budget cuts and rising political pressure, BMZ unveils a strategy to prioritize high-impact regions and private sector partnerships
Germany charts a new course for global aid
Germany charts a new course for global aid
www.devex.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Quite a “positive” take on Germany’s large cuts in development, humanitarian and global health budgets 👇
This issue needs more coverage. The amounts going directly into private bank accounts, including for what we’d consider “bureacrats”, is mind-blowing. And many governments and private firms are simply paying 🤯
January 16, 2026 at 9:59 AM
This issue needs more coverage. The amounts going directly into private bank accounts, including for what we’d consider “bureacrats”, is mind-blowing. And many governments and private firms are simply paying 🤯
Important read(s) to get you out of a technical / organizational mode only 👇
Check out this week's IHP news 862: The global health year kicks off www.internationalhealthpolicies.org/newsletter/ pdf: www.internationalhealthpolicies.org/wp-content/u... (also with translations in French, Portuguese & Spanish). And for the ones with very little time, a short 4-pg AI summary :)
Newsletter
www.internationalhealthpolicies.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Important read(s) to get you out of a technical / organizational mode only 👇
Reposted by Katri Bertram
Opinion | They Were Ordinary Germans. We Are Ordinary Americans.
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:26 AM
Read, learn, gain hope. Speak out. Act. Mobilize. In addition to the below, many of which I’ve read over the past years, learn from history and biographies: Gandhi, Mandela, MLK, White Rose… 👇
We are in an era of rising authoritarianism, fading multi-lateralism, & increasing human rights violations
But peoples movements have challenged power in the past
Successful movements, as these books show, are about organizing, growing communities, and building power among people to effect change
But peoples movements have challenged power in the past
Successful movements, as these books show, are about organizing, growing communities, and building power among people to effect change
January 16, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Read, learn, gain hope. Speak out. Act. Mobilize. In addition to the below, many of which I’ve read over the past years, learn from history and biographies: Gandhi, Mandela, MLK, White Rose… 👇
Someone giving you and olympic medal doesn’t make you an olympic athlete or winner.
Someone giving your their A+ test doesn’t mean you got an A+ on your test.
You can ask. Demand. Buy. Extort. But you’re not worthy of the reward.
Someone giving your their A+ test doesn’t mean you got an A+ on your test.
You can ask. Demand. Buy. Extort. But you’re not worthy of the reward.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro. n.pr/3YHsuTa
Venezuela's Machado says she presented her Nobel Peace Prize to Trump during their meeting
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado said she presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday even as he has questioned her credibility to take over her country after the U.S. ousted then-President Nicolás Maduro.
n.pr
January 16, 2026 at 6:40 AM
Someone giving you and olympic medal doesn’t make you an olympic athlete or winner.
Someone giving your their A+ test doesn’t mean you got an A+ on your test.
You can ask. Demand. Buy. Extort. But you’re not worthy of the reward.
Someone giving your their A+ test doesn’t mean you got an A+ on your test.
You can ask. Demand. Buy. Extort. But you’re not worthy of the reward.
This is 2026
-Invading other countries
-Imprisoning & threatening national civilians, journalists & political critics
-Taking away rights of sexual & other minorities
-Closing down academia & research
-Using children & population for health experimentation
The list just gets longer.
-Invading other countries
-Imprisoning & threatening national civilians, journalists & political critics
-Taking away rights of sexual & other minorities
-Closing down academia & research
-Using children & population for health experimentation
The list just gets longer.
January 15, 2026 at 3:51 PM
This is 2026
-Invading other countries
-Imprisoning & threatening national civilians, journalists & political critics
-Taking away rights of sexual & other minorities
-Closing down academia & research
-Using children & population for health experimentation
The list just gets longer.
-Invading other countries
-Imprisoning & threatening national civilians, journalists & political critics
-Taking away rights of sexual & other minorities
-Closing down academia & research
-Using children & population for health experimentation
The list just gets longer.
I keep going back to this brilliant book by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social. It is probably the best analysis to explain what's going on with Venezuela (and soon probably) Iran: the interest is in the oil and personal profiteering across autocrats, as simple as that.
January 15, 2026 at 9:26 AM
I keep going back to this brilliant book by @anneapplebaum.bsky.social. It is probably the best analysis to explain what's going on with Venezuela (and soon probably) Iran: the interest is in the oil and personal profiteering across autocrats, as simple as that.
As the development sector discusses the post-2030 agenda, the world isn’t sure it will get to the end of 2026. #disconnect #dissonance
January 15, 2026 at 7:39 AM
As the development sector discusses the post-2030 agenda, the world isn’t sure it will get to the end of 2026. #disconnect #dissonance
German radio news says it as it is: “the propaganda outlet Fox news”.
All eyes on how WEF/Davos and MCS handle things over the next weeks, I fear without integrity…
All eyes on how WEF/Davos and MCS handle things over the next weeks, I fear without integrity…
January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
German radio news says it as it is: “the propaganda outlet Fox news”.
All eyes on how WEF/Davos and MCS handle things over the next weeks, I fear without integrity…
All eyes on how WEF/Davos and MCS handle things over the next weeks, I fear without integrity…
🤯 There went #humanrights #womensrights #childrights out of the window.... Absolutely nuts what is being sunk to save some economic and (utterly broken) transatlantic political interests.
The U.K. government's upcoming ban on nudification apps won't apply to general-purpose AI tools like Elon Musk's Grok, Tech Secretary Liz Kendall has said.
UK nudification app ban won’t apply to Elon Musk’s Grok
U.K.’s tech secretary says ban will apply to apps whose sole purpose is to generate nude deepfakes. That rules out Grok.
www.politico.eu
January 14, 2026 at 2:27 PM
🤯 There went #humanrights #womensrights #childrights out of the window.... Absolutely nuts what is being sunk to save some economic and (utterly broken) transatlantic political interests.
Can Germany and the EU fill the #globalhealth leadership void at a time when visionary and active leadership is needed more than ever? Join us for a discussion with the German government, European Commission and non-governmental stakeholders in Berlin on 19 January 👇 I'll be moderating (afternoon).
January 14, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Can Germany and the EU fill the #globalhealth leadership void at a time when visionary and active leadership is needed more than ever? Join us for a discussion with the German government, European Commission and non-governmental stakeholders in Berlin on 19 January 👇 I'll be moderating (afternoon).
In seriously weird news….
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan and President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea jammed to BTS and “KPop Demon Hunters,” in a display meant to show warming ties between their countries at a time of deep geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
Watch the Leaders of Japan and South Korea Jam to K-pop on the Drums
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi of Japan and President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea played along to BTS and “KPop Demon Hunters,” in a display meant to show warming ties.
trib.al
January 14, 2026 at 12:02 PM
In seriously weird news….
Excellent @ezraklein.bsky.social to make sense of why 2026 has started with such an explosive, sensationalist 💥: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/o...
Opinion | Venezuela, Renee Good and Trump’s ‘Assault on Hope’
www.nytimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Excellent @ezraklein.bsky.social to make sense of why 2026 has started with such an explosive, sensationalist 💥: www.nytimes.com/2026/01/10/o...
Leaving a workplace (a “job job” as a colleague said this, or “real job” as another not so nicely said a few years ago) can be lonely. 9
daily hours of management and back-to-back meetings…poof, gone. 1/2
daily hours of management and back-to-back meetings…poof, gone. 1/2
January 14, 2026 at 8:07 AM
Leaving a workplace (a “job job” as a colleague said this, or “real job” as another not so nicely said a few years ago) can be lonely. 9
daily hours of management and back-to-back meetings…poof, gone. 1/2
daily hours of management and back-to-back meetings…poof, gone. 1/2
More of this in #globalhealth 👇
What will be a make-or-break is whether transformative, concrete, realistic, timely actions are made and implemented over the next 36 months. The window for
decisions and reform is nearly closed ⏰
What will be a make-or-break is whether transformative, concrete, realistic, timely actions are made and implemented over the next 36 months. The window for
decisions and reform is nearly closed ⏰
January 13, 2026 at 5:15 PM
More of this in #globalhealth 👇
What will be a make-or-break is whether transformative, concrete, realistic, timely actions are made and implemented over the next 36 months. The window for
decisions and reform is nearly closed ⏰
What will be a make-or-break is whether transformative, concrete, realistic, timely actions are made and implemented over the next 36 months. The window for
decisions and reform is nearly closed ⏰
Lots of new or reactivated #globalhealth joiners on @bsky.app again. Welcome to the sane space! 👋 🦋
Time to reshare and update your starter packs. I keep an updated list of people and organizations, feel free to access and use: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Time to reshare and update your starter packs. I keep an updated list of people and organizations, feel free to access and use: bsky.app/profile/did:...
January 13, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Lots of new or reactivated #globalhealth joiners on @bsky.app again. Welcome to the sane space! 👋 🦋
Time to reshare and update your starter packs. I keep an updated list of people and organizations, feel free to access and use: bsky.app/profile/did:...
Time to reshare and update your starter packs. I keep an updated list of people and organizations, feel free to access and use: bsky.app/profile/did:...
In my privileged period of transition, and having had so many rewarding, fascinating conversations and meetings these past two weeks, pulling this one up: katribertram.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/w...
Why I do some work pro bono (and don’t want to be paid for it)
This blog is written acknowledging my privilege to have the financial means and independence to do some of my work for free. Consciously deciding to do some of my work for free may sound absurd. In…
katribertram.wordpress.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:05 AM
In my privileged period of transition, and having had so many rewarding, fascinating conversations and meetings these past two weeks, pulling this one up: katribertram.wordpress.com/2023/01/14/w...
Excellent article by @dvt.bsky.social. Thanks @genevahealthfiles.bsky.social!
Global Health: Down But Not Out
Guest Essay by Daniel Thornton
genevahealthfiles.substack.com/p/global-hea...
Guest Essay by Daniel Thornton
genevahealthfiles.substack.com/p/global-hea...
January 13, 2026 at 9:40 AM
Excellent article by @dvt.bsky.social. Thanks @genevahealthfiles.bsky.social!
2026 will be a year of no-gos.
I’ll skip an event at WEF, as 28K for 2 nights is 🤣
I’ll not follow Munich Security as they decided to invite the far-right AfD.
I’ll forgo Eurovision in protest against the genocide of Gazans.
UNGA is out with US social media surveillance / political crackdown.
I’ll skip an event at WEF, as 28K for 2 nights is 🤣
I’ll not follow Munich Security as they decided to invite the far-right AfD.
I’ll forgo Eurovision in protest against the genocide of Gazans.
UNGA is out with US social media surveillance / political crackdown.
January 12, 2026 at 6:23 PM
2026 will be a year of no-gos.
I’ll skip an event at WEF, as 28K for 2 nights is 🤣
I’ll not follow Munich Security as they decided to invite the far-right AfD.
I’ll forgo Eurovision in protest against the genocide of Gazans.
UNGA is out with US social media surveillance / political crackdown.
I’ll skip an event at WEF, as 28K for 2 nights is 🤣
I’ll not follow Munich Security as they decided to invite the far-right AfD.
I’ll forgo Eurovision in protest against the genocide of Gazans.
UNGA is out with US social media surveillance / political crackdown.
I wrote this blog on toxic cultures and the need to speak out in May 2020. Pulling up for those who need it, as I've had quite a number of conversations on this recently: katribertram.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/f...
Fear culture – why we need to speak out
In past blogs I have written about toxic work culture. The work place in this case tolerates or even rewards behaviour that includes threats, punishments, belittling, lies, and bullying, and leader…
katribertram.wordpress.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
I wrote this blog on toxic cultures and the need to speak out in May 2020. Pulling up for those who need it, as I've had quite a number of conversations on this recently: katribertram.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/f...
I gave some (critical) advice in 2024 to the Gates Foundation on how their narrow and vertical “optimism” narrative wont fly in these new times - nor is it what’s needed for sustainable impact. Has Gates shifted? 1/3 www.gatesnotes.com/work/save-li...
www.gatesnotes.com
January 12, 2026 at 1:00 PM
I gave some (critical) advice in 2024 to the Gates Foundation on how their narrow and vertical “optimism” narrative wont fly in these new times - nor is it what’s needed for sustainable impact. Has Gates shifted? 1/3 www.gatesnotes.com/work/save-li...
Quite something to publish on the dangers of commercial determinants to health and nutrition when you’re known to work for one of the largest global companies doing exactly that harm 🤯 #hypocricy
January 12, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Quite something to publish on the dangers of commercial determinants to health and nutrition when you’re known to work for one of the largest global companies doing exactly that harm 🤯 #hypocricy
One of the most important leadership traits is to be able to make the right split-second decisions. Here’s what this means, and why it’s so important. katribertram.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/w...
What counts: Split-second decisions
One of the most important leadership traits is to be able to make the right split-second decisions. Here’s what this means, and why it’s so important. Less than a second to decide Four …
katribertram.wordpress.com
January 12, 2026 at 8:51 AM
One of the most important leadership traits is to be able to make the right split-second decisions. Here’s what this means, and why it’s so important. katribertram.wordpress.com/2026/01/12/w...