The Equity Initiative

17/04/2026

During COVID-19, EI Fellow Anond Kulthanmanusorn (2023, Thailand), a health policy researcher from Thailand, found his work going beyond just papers and into the streets of Bangkok where he worked with people experiencing homelessness and the NGOs supporting them.

Through the Equity Initiative, health equity shifted from abstract theory into the lived reality. Conversations with like-minded Fellows and exposure to social innovation helped him reimagine his path towards social entrepreneurship to make the difference in advancing health equity.

After his induction year, Anond founded Sookaphawa Roadside, a social enterprise working alongside people living on the streets. Recently being awarded the Community Building Fund (CBF) grants Anond resources to expand the social enterprise’s outreach, services, and advocacy.

As part of our 10-year anniversary, we are sharing stories from across the Equity Initiative community—highlighting the work of Fellows advancing health equity across Southeast Asia and China.

Read the full story: https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/other-news/from-research-to-roadside

10/04/2026

In the remote communities of Pakbeng District, Oudomxay Province, Lao PDR, ethnic minority women leaders often face deep-rooted structural inequalities and limited opportunities to influence the very decisions that affect their lives.

Through the project "Championing Equity: Strengthening Decision-Making Capacities of Women Leaders in Remote Lao Communities," EI Fellows partnered with AESBO Laos and the Lao Women's Union to build skills in confidence, self-awareness, decision-making, and participatory planning, with a key focus on safeguarding and recognizing sexual harassment, abuse, and exploitation.

One participant, Simone from AESBO, shared: "I had the opportunity to share experiences and discuss challenges I had never shared before, which gave me more confidence. I also learned about my rights and safeguarding."

This is just the beginning of a year-long journey shaped by the communities themselves.

Read the full story: https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/fellowship-program/championing-equity-building-womens-leadership-remote-laos

07/04/2026

Applications are open for the CMB-Mahidol Postgraduate Scholarship!!

If you're a health professional from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam, this fully funded scholarship could be your next step. Deadline: April 17, 2026.

See the post below for full details or visit: https://graduate.mahidol.ac.th/Mekong-Region/

🎓✨ Apply for the CMB Mahidol Postgraduate Scholarship and advance your career in Data Science & Health Informatics!
📚 Available Programs:
- M.Sc. Biomedical and Health Informatics (Online)
https://mu-informatics.org/mscbhi

- M.Sc. Data Science for Healthcare and Clinical Informatics (On-site)
https://www.rama.mahidol.ac.th/ceb/DSCI2024
💡 Scholarship benefits:
✅ University tuition fees
✅ Network with local institutions and health professionals
✅ Stipend for MSc Data Science for Healthcare and Clinical Informatics program
✅ Travel expenses and health insurance for M.Sc. Data Science for Healthcare and Clinical Informatics program
🌍 Who can apply?
✔️ Nationals from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & Vietnam
✔️ Experience of working in the healthcare systems/career in data or clinical informatics
✔️ Fulfill Mahidol University general admission requirements and program specific requirements
📅 Application starts from: Mar 16 - Apr 17 2026
🔗 Apply online and find more details at https://graduate.mahidol.ac.th/Mekong-Region/
For further inquiries, please contact [email protected]

27/03/2026

In remote communities in Ratanakiri, Cambodia, many women and girls face violence with limited access to support. Distance, stigma, and lack of services often mean suffering in silence.

Through a community-based approach, EI Fellow Sean Phay (2019, Cambodia), with Child Helpline Cambodia, is helping change that bringing counseling, legal support, and a 24/7 helpline closer to those who need it most.

As part of our 10-year anniversary, we are sharing stories from across the Equity Initiative community, highlighting the work of Fellows advancing health equity across Southeast Asia and China. Read the full story → Link in bio

EI10Years

27/03/2026

In Ratanakiri, Cambodia, many women and girls face violence in silence. Long distances, stigma, and limited access to services make it difficult to seek help.

EI Fellow Sean Phay (2019, Cambodia), together with Child Helpline Cambodia, is working to change that through a community-based approach—training local frontline workers, providing home-based counseling, and running a free 24/7 helpline.

The impact is already visible. Hundreds of women and girls have received support, cases of gender-based violence are being addressed, and local leaders are committing resources to prevention and protection.

As part of our 10-year anniversary, we are sharing stories from across the Equity Initiative community—highlighting the work of Fellows advancing health equity across Southeast Asia and China.

Read the full story → https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/other-news/indigenous-communities-safer-future

13/03/2026

As the Equity Initiative marks its tenth year, the Fellowship welcomed its 10th cohort of Fellows at the 2026 Opening Retreat in Hue, Viet Nam. Leaders from across Southeast Asia and China gathered to begin their Fellowship journey through reflection, dialogue, and shared learning. During the week, Fellows participated in sessions such as the River of Life exercise, the Empathy Box workshop, and peer coaching.

Lillian Linqian Peng (2026, China) shared: “I want to be a leader who turns the ideal of equity into action—someone who listens deeply, empowers others, and builds connection and understanding across differences.”
Tarcisio Maria Amaral (2026, Timor-Leste) reflected: “Hearing the journeys of Fellows from across the region reminded me that our experiences shape who we are and inspire us to lead with empathy and a stronger commitment to equity.”

As EI enters its second decade, the Fellowship continues to grow a regional community working toward health equity.
Read the full story via the link in our bio.

13/03/2026

As the Equity Initiative marks its tenth year, the Fellowship welcomed its 10th cohort of Fellows at the 2026 Opening Retreat in Hue, Viet Nam.

The retreat is the first step in the Fellowship journey, bringing together leaders from across Southeast Asia and China to begin building relationships and reflecting on their leadership paths.
Over the week, Fellows engaged in sessions such as the River of Life exercise, the Empathy Box workshop, and peer coaching while also exploring key health equity concepts and beginning conversations around their second-year projects.

Brandon Chua (2026, Singapore) reflected: “There is some level of self-doubt… perhaps the nature of the work we do in health equity can be unseen and isolating at times. But we have this community to spur one another on.”

As EI enters its second decade, each new cohort continues to strengthen a regional community working to advance health equity.

Read the full story: https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/fellowship-program/2026-opening-retreat-where-fellowship-begins

25/02/2026

As CMB/EI moves beyond its 10th year, we are expanding our impact across the region by strengthening regional themes and building deeper partnerships.

Following the 10th Annual Forum, Senior Fellows and invited external guests convened for a two-day Mental Health Equity Strategic Workshop. Inviting external partners into this strategic space reflects a growing commitment to building regional partnerships and shared ownership in advancing mental health equity.

Through embodied exercises, collective visioning, and co-design sessions, participants aligned on a shared understanding of mental health equity and began developing a Mental Health Equity Index grounded in lived realities across Southeast Asia and China.

As CMB/EI enters its next chapter, regional collaboration and partnership-building will be central to expanding our collective impact.

Thanks to the Mental Health core team! Eleanor J. Ong, Yves Zuniga, Benny Prawira, Rennta Chrisdiana Awie, and Moh Moh Lwin!

Read the full story: 👉 https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/community-building/beginning-work-ei-fellows-convene-advance-mental-health-equity-region

25/02/2026

As CMB/EI moves beyond its 10th year, we are expanding our impact across the region by strengthening regional themes and building deeper partnerships.

Following the 10th Annual Forum, Senior Fellows and invited external guests convened for a two-day Mental Health Equity Strategic Workshop. Bringing external partners into this space reflects a growing commitment to building partnerships and shared ownership around advancing mental health equity.

Through embodied exercises, collective visioning, and co-design sessions, participants aligned on a shared understanding of mental health equity and began developing a Mental Health Equity Index grounded in lived realities across Southeast Asia and China.

As CMB/EI enters its next chapter, regional collaboration and partnership-building will be central to expanding our collective impact.

Read the full story via the link in our bio.

18/02/2026

Last week, we released the 10-Year Anniversary Film reflecting on a decade of leadership and collective work across Southeast Asia and China.

The 10th Annual Forum brought those reflections into the room.

Held in Bangkok, the forum gathered Fellows, partners, and trustees to mark ten years of the Equity Initiative and to explore what comes next. Through the Regional Themes Festival, learning labs, and the premiere of the XR film Living in Water, conversations moved from reflection to action. Grounding issues like climate justice, mental health, and health systems strengthening in lived experience and shared responsibility. As EI enters its next chapter, the forum reaffirmed a commitment to leadership rooted in community and collective action.

Read the full story: https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/community-building/season-becoming-marking-decade-collective-work-equity-initiatives-10th-annual-forum

18/02/2026

Last week, we shared the 10-Year Anniversary Film reflecting on a decade of leadership, belonging, and equity across Southeast Asia and China.

At the 10th Annual Forum in Bangkok, those reflections came to life.

Fellows, partners, and trustees gathered to mark ten years of collective work, engaging across Regional Themes, learning labs, and community spaces designed to move equity from reflection into practice. The forum also featured the premiere of Living in Water, an immersive XR experience grounding climate justice in lived reality.

A decade on, the work will be continued to be shaped by community, adaptability, and shared responsibility.

Read the full story via the link in our bio.

10/02/2026

For the past 10 years, the Equity Initiative has brought together leaders across Southeast Asia and China to work toward health equity through learning, collaboration, and community.

The 10-Year Anniversary Film features reflections from EI Fellows on leadership, belonging, and equity. Looking back on a decade of CMB/EI’s work in the region through the Fellows, they share how their work during and after the Induction Year shaped their understanding of equity as more than a technical challenge.

Across their work on issues such as mental health, climate justice, disability inclusion, and health systems, Fellows reflect on the importance of connection, collective action, and finding a sense of home as essential to advancing equity in Southeast Asia and China.

Watch the full film on our website:
👉 https://www.equityinitiative.org/news/other-news/equity-initiative-10-year-anniversary-film

Adisorn Juntrasook
Eleanor J. Ong
Linh Phan
Haibin Zhou