Source: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine Symposia: The Future of Primary Health Care: Alma Ata 30 Years On, September 11-12, 2008; Mental Health in Fragile States, September 8-9, 2008 Two important symposia have been held in London to discuss healthcare issues posing significant dilemmas to world leaders in the 21st Century. “The Future of Primary Health Care” was attended by public health experts from around the Globe to assess the best options for improving primary health care in the future. It was held on the 30th anniversary of the Alma Ata Declaration made in 1977 which was intended as a blueprint for health provision and identified primary health care as the means through which the global goal of “Health for All” could be achieved. The second meeting, on “Mental Health in Fragile States”, was held to raise the profile of mental health care in zones where conflict has taken place or is still happening. Analyses of the key issues and how to deal with them effectively were discussed by top experts from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and associated organisations. Peter Goodwin attended both meetings and talked with some of the key speakers. Interviewees: Alialbrahim Zai Egbert Sondorp Gill Walt Lucy Gilson Ravi Narayan Richard Horton Vikram Patel Willem Van De Put