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The Ernst Strüngmann Forum Founded on the tenets of scientific independence and the inquisitive nature of the human mind, the Ernst Strüngmann Forum is dedicated to the continual expansion of knowledge. Through its innovative communication process, the Ernst Strüngmann Forum provides a creative environment within which experts scrutinize high-priority issues from multiple vantage points. This process begins with the identification of themes. By nature, a theme constitutes a problem area that transcends classic disciplinary boundaries. It is of high-priority interest, requiring concentrated, multidisciplinary input to address the issues involved. Proposals are received from leading scientists active in their field and are selected by an independent Scientific Advisory Board. Once approved, a steering committee is convened to refine the scientific parameters of the proposal and select the participants. Approximately one year later, the central meeting, or Forum, is held to which circa forty experts are invited. Preliminary discussion for this theme began shortly after I left the Dahlem Workshops to begin the process of establishing the program for the newly created Ernst Strüngmann Forum. Having worked previously with Walt Dowdle, Don Hopkins, Steve Cochi, and others on the 1997 Dahlem project, and in view of the changes that had taken place in global health initiatives since Dahlem, I was keen to learn whether the Forum could be of service to this sector again. Our talks expanded to include Eric Ottesen and Alan Hinman, and in September 2009, the steering committee—comprised of Bruce Aylward, Steve Cochi, Johnny Gyapong, David Molyneux, Eric Ottesen, and Regina Rabinovich—met to identify the key issues for debate and select the participants for the Forum, which was held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from August 29–September 3, 2010. The activities and discourse surrounding a Forum begin well before participants arrive in Frankfurt and conclude with the publication of this volume. Throughout each stage, focused dialog is the means by which participants examine the issues anew. Often, this requires relinquishing long-established ideas and overcoming disciplinary idiosyncrasies that might otherwise inhibit joint examination. However, when this is accomplished, a unique synergism results and new insights emerge. This volume conveys the synergy that arose from a group of diverse experts , each of whom assumed an active role, and is comprised of two types of contributions. The first provides background information on key aspects of the overall theme. These chapters have been extensively reviewed and revised to provide current understanding of the topics. The second (Chapters 7, 10, 14, and 19) summarizes the extensive group discussions that transpired. These chapters should not be viewed as consensus documents nor are they viii The Ernst Strüngmann Forum proceedings; they are intended to transfer the essence of the discussions, expose the open questions that still remain, and highlight areas in need of future enquiry. In one area of the Forum—the group charged with discussing the critical components of the investment case for eradication and/or elimination initiatives (Chapter 10)—we soon realized that further work would be needed if a template for the investment case was to be created. Not wishing to lose momentum , a follow-up meeting for the group was proposed and additional expertise was brought in to complete the task. Hosted by Kim Thompson and Kid Risk, Inc. in Boston, this working session took place on December 9–10, 2010. An endeavor of this kind creates its own unique group dynamics and puts demands on everyone who participates. Each invitee contributed not only their time and congenial personality, but a willingness to probe beyond that which is evident, and I wish to extend my gratitude to all. A special word of thanks goes to the steering committee, the authors of the background papers, the reviewers of the papers, and the moderators of the individual working groups: Regina Rabinovich, Chris Maher, Eric Ottesen, and Johnny Gyapong. To draft a report during the Forum and bring it to its final form in the months thereafter is no simple matter, and for their efforts, I am especially grateful to the rapporteurs: Kim Thompson, Kari Stoever, Peter Strebel, and Muhammad Ali Pate. Most importantly, I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to Steve Cochi and Walt Dowdle; their steady guidance throughout this project was invaluable and distinguished by their exemplary commitment. A communication process of this nature relies on institutional stability and an environment that encourages free thought. The generous support of the Ernst Strüngmann Foundation, established by...

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