Today we began our day with a 30 minute uphill walk to school through gorgeous green landscapes; we definitely get our 10,000 steps in each day here! Then, we had an introductory lecture on “Urban Health” followed by a lecture on “Values, Diaconia and Urban Healthcare”. At lunch we were able to enjoy a ceremony in the school’s outdoor courtyard to celebrate raising the LGBTQIA+ flag. I stopped in Erlik Kaffe to grab an “ismocca”, which is essentially a delicious iced mocha coffee drink! Erlik Kaffe is a coffee shop on the university’s campus that employs people recovering with substance abuse issues.
Our day continued with lectures on “Global Health” and “Childhood Poverty in Norway”. During the “Global Health” lecture I had my greatest “ah-ha!” moment of the day. The lecturer shared that public health perspectives began thousands of years ago in ancient civilizations, such as those in China, Greece, and Egypt. The lecturer also shared that Europe’s views on public health are rooted in the Islamic world. I got my undergraduate degree in public health so I loved learning more about the field’s ancient roots! After our lectures we tried Norwegian pizza, such as “Chicken Flyaway” and “Beef Honey” and played a trivia game. I concluded my night by doing some laundry and winding down in the hotel room.
Throughout the day I noted several examples of Sustainable Development Goal 16, “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.” First, by hosting a celebration for the raising of the LGBTQIA+ flag, the institution shows its support and inclusion of the community. Second, the Erlik Kaffe shows the institution’s commitment towards inclusion of people who have suffered from substance abuse issues.