About Infectious Disease Alliance (IDA)
Our Organization
The Infectious Disease Alliance (IDA) is a global public health advocacy organization dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by infectious diseases. Our alliance brings together diverse stakeholders to advocate for policies and resources aimed at preventing, treating, controlling, and researching infectious diseases worldwide. IDA recognizes that the health of humans, animals, and plants are interconnected and is dedicated to addressing this complexity through a One Health approach. We are committed to promoting awareness, mobilizing support, and fostering collaboration to combat infectious diseases effectively.
Our Vision
IDA envisions a world where the burden of infectious diseases is significantly reduced, and every individual has access to the resources needed to prevent and treat infectious diseases, irrespective of their location.
Our Mission
The mission of IDA is to unite civil society organizations to drive action on the prevention, treatment, and control of infectious diseases in humans, animals, and plants by advancing a One Health approach.
Team
Rodrigo Scotini, Executive Director
Rodrigo leads IDA's efforts to unite the global infectious disease community for stronger advocacy and policy reform. With a wide-ranging background in policy and advocacy, Rodrigo has worked across WHO, the foundation sector, pharmaceutical industry, EU institutions and national health authorities. His experience spans global health systems, influencing policy, developing strategic partnerships, and driving funding for disease prevention and preparedness across multiple sectors.
Public Policy and Partnership Associate
Sofia is a dedicated public policy expert with focus on public health. Her past work includes an examination of policy strategies addressing the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Latin America, as well a project on patient advocacy in women’s health. With a background in soft power and communications, Sofia is particularly interested in how public diplomacy and international collaboration can shape global health policy.
Committee Management
Carl Aryan (he/him)
Committee Management Lead
Carl is a passionate healthcare manager and researcher with impactful publications and a Medical Doctorate Degree in Dentistry (D.M.D), recognized and acclaimed for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now based in Denmark, he serves as the Lead of the Committee Management team at IDA. With expertise in clinical trials, public health, and epidemiology, he advocates a "One Health" approach to improving global health outcomes.
Partnership and Events
Paula is a recent Global Health master’s graduate, with a background in Biomedical Sciences. Her experiences include qualitative research, medical writing and social media management. For her master’s thesis, she conducted a qualitative study exploring the barriers to leprosy elimination in Bolivia, which she is currently editing for publication. She is particularly passionate about the social determinants of health, NTDs, health equity and disease prevention.
Policy and Grants
Leonardo has a strong foundation in international law, human rights, and sustainable development, supported by his ongoing master’s studies in European and International Studies. His experiences include crisis management, global migration, and environmental policy research. He has led international projects focused on humanitarian principles and disaster response. Passionate about the intersection of law, politics, and human rights, he seeks to advance equitable, human-centered solutions to pressing global challenges.
Communication
Ada is a passionate public health advocate with a strong background in Neurosciences and an ongoing Erasmus Mundus double master’s degree in European public health. Her past work includes organising events on women’s health, as well as coordinating fundraising efforts and social media and content creation. She is particularly interested in health equity, infectious diseases, health education, and sustainable public health initiatives.
Science Team
Dr. Lubna Khatoon, a biochemist with a PhD in infectious diseases from Pakistan and UC Irvine, USA, has a diverse background spanning academic roles at Universities in Pakistan, postdoctoral research in Sydney and Copenhagen, and experience in quality control. Currently a lecturer in Copenhagen, she contributes her expertise to IDA’s Science team, overseeing a research repository alongwith a group of young scientists.
Endorsement
"The landscape of infectious diseases is fragmented, with various actors working independently across different disease areas. There is an urgent need for a unifying platform like the Infectious Disease Alliance (IDA) to bring together diverse perspectives from civil society and foster collaboration, creating a unified advocacy voice to address infectious diseases globally."
Prof. Kåre Mølbak - Former Director of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & Prevention, Statens Serum Institut, agency under Danish MoH
Per Henriksen - Advisor ​
Former Chief Veterinary Officer for Denmark and Veterinary Director at the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Per Henriksen serves as a key advisor to IDA on animal health issues. With over 30 years of experience in veterinary science, public health, and food safety, he has a proven track record of collaboration with national and international health authorities, including WOAH and the European Council. His extensive background in regulatory roles and research offers valuable insights into animal welfare standards, sustainable practices, and effective policy implementation, significantly strengthening IDA’s mission and initiatives.
Norman Begg - Advisor ​
With nearly 40 years of expertise in infectious disease prevention and vaccine development, Norman has led impactful initiatives across both public and private sectors. At GlaxoSmithKline, he played a key role in developing and introducing life-saving vaccines, supported by his international experience from his work with the World Health Organisation.
His expertise will provide strategic guidance to strengthen our vaccine advocacy initiatives, playing a critical role in advancing our mission to combat infectious diseases through a One Health approach.
Strategic Goals and Objectives
To fulfill its mission, IDA has set the following strategic goals and objectives:
01
Advocate for Policies and Resources
IDA leads global advocacy efforts to ensure infectious diseases receive adequate attention and resources, while recognizing the interconnectedness of health across humans, animals, and ecosystems.
03
Promote Research and Evidence-Based Policies
IDA will promote the generation and dissemination of research that informs policies and practices in infectious disease prevention and control. The Alliance will also work to foster interdisciplinary research that explores zoonotic diseases and other health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface.
02
Strengthen Civil Society Voices
By providing a platform for civil society organisations, IDA will empower its members to have a meaningful role in shaping global health policies. IDA will ensure its members’ voices are heard in international fora, including the WHO and UN.
04
Foster Global Partnerships
IDA will collaborate with international organisations, governments, academia, and the private sector to build a global network focused on reducing the burden of infectious diseases.
05
Elevate Infectious Diseases on the Global Health Agenda
Through targeted advocacy and strategic communications, IDA will work to ensure infectious diseases remain high on the global health and development agenda, advocating for sustainable and long-term solutions.
Core Values
01.
Integrity:
IDA commits to maintaining the highest ethical standards in its advocacy and operations, ensuring trust and respect among its members and partners.
02.
Independence:
The Alliance will maintain full independence from any entities or funders that might compromise its mission or integrity, ensuring its work is not unduly influenced.
03.
Collaboration:
IDA believes in the power of partnerships and collective action to address global health challenges. It fosters collaboration among its members and with external partners, striving for mutual support and shared knowledge.
04.
Equity:
IDA is dedicated to advocating for vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by infectious diseases, ensuring that all voices are heard, and that interventions reach those in greatest need.
05.
Accountability: Transparency and accountability are central to IDA’s work, ensuring that decisions are made openly and that IDA remains answerable to its members and stakeholders.