Aaron Katz, CPH, Packard-Gates Population Leadership Program, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98105, 206-616-5227, garlyk@u.washington.edu, Sharon Rudy, PhD, Public Health Institute, Population Leadership Program, 529 14th Street NW, Suite 1030, Washington, DC 20045, and Jacob A. Adetunji, PhD, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, USAID, GH/PRH/PEC, Rm. 3.06-25, RRB, Washington, DC 20523.

Despite the availability of many cost-effective interventions, family planning (FP) and reproductive health (RH) outcomes are unacceptably poor in most developing countries. A critical need for addressing these problems is stronger government and civil society leadership that can raise the priority of FP and RH on the policy agenda, successfully advocate for progressive FP and RH policies, secure adequate, long-term resources for such policies, and build, sustain, and manage public agencies and NGOs that effectively and efficiently deliver FP and RH services. The relationship between the major donors in RH and developing country experts has proven to be a key component. Proven interventions combined with such leadership would have dramatic long-term impacts on FP and RH outcomes in developing countries. The Public Health Institute and the University of Washington have implemented highly successful fellowship programs that are strengthening the leadership capacity in many countries and supporting the ongoing efforts of these leaders to make systemic changes in reproductive health. Current Fellows and senior staff of these two programs will discuss critical issues and challenges facing RH donor and in-country professionals in developing countries and how leadership development programs can best support their efforts as change agents. Customized skill-building, time for reflection, and on-going support are key features of successful leadership development programs. Panel members will discuss their experiences and invite audience participation to develop key lessons for sustainable global RH improvements.

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