The Faculty of Public Health (FKM), Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) reaffirmed its commitment to addressing global health challenges related to the climate crisis by organizing an International Guest Lecture titled “Public Health in a Climate-Changing World: Rethinking Risk Across Species and Scales” on Monday, November 10, 2025, in Makassar. The event was part of the commemoration of FKM UNHAS’ 43rd anniversary and served as a strategic platform for strengthening international scientific networks. The session featured keynote speaker Prof. Dr. E.M. (Eileen) Moyer from the Department of Anthropology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a distinguished scholar known for her research linking health, ecology, and social justice.
The guest lecture was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Atjo Wahyu, S.KM., M.Kes., and Prof. Anwar Mallongi, S.KM., M.Sc.PH., Ph.D., who highlighted the need for interdisciplinary synergy in responding to the complex health impacts triggered by climate change. Support was also expressed by the Head of the Department of Epidemiology, Dr. Dian Sidik Arsyad, S.KM., M.KM., Ph.D., who emphasized that international academic forums such as this are vital for building global research collaboration and strengthening partnerships with European universities. He noted that the climate crisis demands integrated research efforts and strong policy alignment.
The Dean of FKM UNHAS, Prof. Sukri Palutturi, SKM., M.Kes., M.Sc.PH., Ph.D., stated that climate change has evolved into a multidimensional global challenge requiring cross-border cooperation. He affirmed that FKM UNHAS is committed to contributing through research, education, and advocacy grounded in scientific evidence. He also highlighted that the strengthening of global academic networks aligns with the institution’s vision to take part in shaping future public health directions and to maintain its position as a progressive and globally connected academic institution.
The 90-minute discussion, moderated by Basir, S.KM., M.Sc., encouraged active participation from lecturers, students, and researchers who shared real experiences of climate-related public health issues across Indonesia. Topics discussed included increasing extreme temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, rising cases of environment-based diseases such as dengue fever and diarrhea, and the growing threat posed by plastic pollution and microplastic exposure.
In her presentation, Prof. Eileen Moyer underscored that human health is inseparable from ecosystem health and urged participants to revisit public health through a cross-species ecological perspective. Participants concluded that collaborative international action, community-based research strengthening, and integrating environmental perspectives into national health policies are essential steps in mitigating the public health impacts of climate change. The guest lecture not only provided a platform for global knowledge exchange but also strengthened the role of FKM UNHAS as a center for innovation and partnership in sustainable public health development.
