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REFLECTIONS ON MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: ICN CONGRESS 2025 IN HELSINKI, FINLAND

World Day of Social Justice 2026

On World Day of Social Justice, we’re reminded that too many adolescents still face futures shaped by inequality.
At NIHR-GHRG on Adolescent Health & Wellbeing in Malawi, we’re working to change this by elevating young people’s voices and examining how policies impact their lives.
Our research tackles gaps in education, health, protection, and representation, ensuring no adolescent is left behind.
Learn how we’re advancing fairer, more inclusive systems for young people worldwide.

Adolescents have a voice if we create a space to listen to them – co-planning a water refilling approach with adolescents and teachers

When a group of learners and teachers came together at a primary school in Mchinji, something powerful happened: young people were given the space to speak and adults truly listened. In this co‑planning meeting, adolescents shared practical ideas to improve how water is refilled at school handwashing stations, offering thoughtful solutions that surprised everyone. Their voices shaped the way forward, showing just how much can change when young people are invited into the conversation and given agency.

World Toilet Day

This World Toilet Day, we’re tackling one of the most overlooked challenges in education: safe, clean, and welcoming toilets for learners. Through the NIHR-GHRG initiative in Malawi, schools are co-creating practical solutions, from vibrant murals and sanitation-themed games to improved facilities and hygiene messaging. These changes go beyond cleanliness, they foster dignity, comfort, and wellbeing, ensuring every learner feels respected and supported.
Join us in making sanitation a priority. Share this message, support local initiatives, and help create environments where every child can learn with dignity. Together, we can turn neglected spaces into places of care and pride.

Our future is at hand, let’s move forward together – learning from what works

As the world observes Global Handwashing Day, the NIHR Global Health Research Group highlights ongoing efforts in Malawi to improve handwashing with soap among adolescents—where less than 1% of observed handwashing opportunities currently include soap use. Using the COM-B behaviour change approach, researchers are co-developing a participatory hand hygiene intervention with students and teachers in rural Mchinji to make handwashing easier, more appealing, and consistent. Through hands-on experiments testing soap types, dispensing methods, and behavioural nudges, the study revealed key preferences and practical challenges. These insights are now guiding a Trial of Improved Practices (TIPs) to create a sustainable, evidence-based solution that empowers young people to make handwashing with soap a lasting habit, truly putting “our future is at hand.”

Celebrating Mental Wellbeing in Young People Using Creative Storytelling in Blantyre, Malawi

As the world marked World Mental Health Day on 10th October, the NIHR Global Health Research Group’s ‘Inspiring Adolescent Wellbeing’ Work Strand in Blantyre, Malawi, celebrated the power of creative storytelling in nurturing young people’s joy, resilience, and belonging. Using the Scottish Storyline methodology, children expressed their emotions and ideas through drawings, drama, and poems – creating safe, inclusive spaces where their voices were heard and valued. The workshops reminded us that mental wellbeing flourishes not only through addressing challenges but also by celebrating creativity, play, and the joy of connection.

“Mental Health Effects of WASH Conditions on Adolescents in Primary Schools in Malawi.”

One of our Early Career Researchers Shadrick Masulani has just given his first national conference presentations and here are some of his insights a reflections!"This year marked a special milestone in my research journey as I had the opportunity to present at two...

Adolescent Wellbeing and the Future of African Health Systems: Reflections from the African Health Economics and Policy Association 7th Scientific Conference, 10-14th March 2025, Kigali, Rwanda

I had the privilege of attending and presenting at the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) Conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Under the theme “Resilient and Strong African Health Systems: Contributions of Health Economics and Health Policy,” the...

Bridging Theory and Practice: Malawi Youth Officers’ Journeys Through the CYC Masters Programme

'So far my classes are progressing very well' remarks Joseph Manthalu, 'we have completed three modules for the first year and we will now be going into the second year'. Joseph D. Manthalu - Rural Mchinji, Malawi District Youth Officer In my role as a Youth...

World Wellbeing Week 24 – 30th June 2025: Understanding Adolescent Wellbeing in Malawi

In recognition of World Wellbeing Week, our Global Health Research Group shares insights into what wellbeing actually means to adolescents in Malawi.
Through in-depth interviews and group discussions, young people described wellbeing as feeling emotionally safe, respected, supported by family and peers, and having their basic needs met. But they also highlighted the realities of poverty, domestic stress, and limited opportunities that continue to impact their emotional and social wellbeing.
These perspectives are shaping our approach to designing youth-led, contextually relevant interventions.
Read our blog to learn more on these initial findings

Engineering a fresh path: my PhD journey to exploring adolescent health and behaviour science.

From water pumps to wellbeing, I never imagined my engineering journey would lead me here.
Chasing a long-standing passion for WASH, I stepped into the world of adolescent health – armed with technical skills, a curious mind, and a growing desire to drive real change.
Starting a PhD remotely from Tanzania, disconnected from peers in Glasgow and Malawi, left me wondering: how would I fit in?
Between parenting, packing, and pivoting into behavioural science, I found myself learning not just how to research – but how to listen, adapt, and connect.
This is not just a story about water or sanitation – it’s about finding my place in global health, and why centring adolescents is reshaping everything I thought I knew.

Blog

August 29, 2025

REFLECTIONS ON MY FIRST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: ICN CONGRESS 2025 IN HELSINKI, FINLAND

Attending an international scientific conference for the first time is a defining moment in any academic journey. As a PhD student based in Malawi, I had the privilege of participating in the International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress 2025, held from 9th to 13th June at the Messukeskus Expo & Convention Centre in Helsinki, Finland. This experience marked not only my first international academic engagement outside Africa but also a meaningful opportunity to present research being conducted in Malawi on a global stage.

Messukeskus Expo & Convention Centre in Helsinki, Finland

The Journey from Malawi to Finland

My travel commenced on 7th June from Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, Malawi. After a long intercontinental journey, I arrived in Helsinki on 8th June, greeted by what they said was cool summer air (but it felt like Malawi winter) and nearly 20 hours of daylight. This was a strange experience for someone coming from the southern hemisphere where a mention of the sun not setting is unheard of. Despite the fatigue, the excitement of participating in such a globally significant event energized me for the days ahead.

Presenting Research at ICN Congress 2025


The ICN Congress is recognized as a leading global forum for nursing professionals, researchers, and policymakers. With my nursing background, fitting in was effortless. The 2025 theme “Nursing Power to Change the World” created an ideal context for discussions on innovation, equity, and collaboration in nursing and public health. On 10th June, I delivered my oral presentation titled: “A Collaborative Approach for Co-Designing Solutions to Address the Impact of Adverse Childhood Events on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: A Methodological Paper.” This presentation was a key highlight of my participation. It focused on a co-creation approach for engaging adolescents and stakeholders in addressing the consequences of childhood adversities on their sexual and reproductive health. It was encouraging to share the session with other international researchers working on co-designing and community-led health interventions, sparking valuable conversations and potential collaborations.

Presenting at the ICN 2025 Conference

The research I presented is part of the Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Project being implemented in Malawi. This project is a collaborative effort among the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) – Malawi, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) and the University of Strathclyde (United Kingdom). Together, these institutions are focusing on the psychological, sociocultural, socioeconomic, educational, political and geographical contexts influencing adolescent health and wellbeing, and exploring interventions and policies that can best support these in the future. This work is supported by funding from the UK government through the National Institute of Health and care Research/ Global Health Research Group (NIHR/GHRG), which also funded my travel and participation in the congress.

More information about the project is available on our website: https://adolescentwellbeingmalawi.org

Outside of the academic program, I took time to engage with the cultural landscape of Helsinki. The city’s blend of modern design, historical architecture, and maritime charm offered a welcome balance to the intensity of the conference. I visited the iconic Helsinki Cathedral, a neoclassical landmark located in Senate Square, and spent time at the National Museum of Finland, where I gained insights into the country’s social and political evolution. The Helsinki Market Hall offered a vibrant glimpse into local life, I did not sample the traditional Finnish delicacies though.

The Helsinki Cathedral

A particularly memorable experience was riding the SkyWheel Helsinki, which provided sweeping views of the city’s skyline and coastline. I also took a scenic boat cruise, allowing me to see Helsinki from a maritime perspective, an enriching way to reflect on both the journey and the knowledge gained.

Up in the SkyWheel

On a boat cruise enjoying the scenery

Reflections and Takeaways

Attending the ICN Congress 2025 was a transformative experience both professionally and personally. It provided a platform to share insights from Malawi, engage with international scholars, and gain exposure to emerging ideas and best practices in nursing and public health, adolescent health research. I returned home with strengthened networks, fresh ideas for my PhD work, and an energized mind than before. I am particularly grateful to the NIHR/GHRG, my supervisors and institutional partners for making this opportunity possible. This experience has affirmed my belief in the importance of inclusive, community-engaged research and the need to elevate voices from the Global South in international health discourse. I look forward to building on these insights as I continue my academic journey and contribute to improving adolescent health outcomes in Malawi and beyond.

A line up of presenters | Meeting for the first time in person, my old time contacts (Katie and Marcus from LSHTM/#PDTN) | Proud to represent Malawi

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