World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) a pandemic in March 2020, significance that COVID-19 has spread widely in the world. Governments in many countries have issued many strategies and policies in dealing with COVID-19 cases. The Indonesian government has issued several policies, namely, releasing health protocols/guidelines, campaigning handwashing-using masks-keeping physical distance, establishing large-scale social restrictions, prohibiting Eid homecoming, preparing laboratories for COVID-19 tests, running COVID-19 tests in various places, establishing a new-normal order, and now implementing COVID-19 Vaccination Program.

However, amid the spike in COVID-19 cases even increasing in Indonesia, many people still ignore health protocols. Governments should engage through participatory two-way communication efforts in a proactive, regular, transparent, and unambiguous manner with all affected and at-risk populations. Understanding knowledge, behaviors, perceptions, and identifying the proper channels and community-based networks and influencers to promote scientific and public health messages will be a central determinant of the response effectiveness. Building the capacity of national, regional, and local stakeholders is essential to establish authority and trust.

In a public health emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, one essential lifesaving action is Society Empowerment. Participatory society engagement interventions should include accurate information on risks, what is still unknown, what is having finished finding answers, what activities are being taken by health authorities, and what actions people can take to protect themselves. The participation of every member of at-risk and affected communities is needed to prevent infection and transmission. Governments must lead and coordinate the response across party lines to authorize and empower all individuals and Indonesian societies to own the reaction through communication, education, engagement, capacity building, and support. In particular, strengthening health services promotes healthy living during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 4th Public Health International Conference 2021 (PHICo 2021) takes the pleasure to invite all parties, anyone who is concerned about this condition, to participate, share knowledge and experience about this topic. PHICo 2021 will be held from September 17th - 18th on a virtual platform. This conference invited competent keynote speaker and invited speakers to stimulate the thinking of scientists, academics, and practitioners according to the conference's theme, namely “The Role of Public Health in Empowering Society in Managing COVID-19 Pandemic”

Conference Theme

“The Role of Public Health in Empowering Society in Managing COVID-19 Pandemic”

Keynote Speaker

Theme: “The Role of Public Health in Empowering Society in Managing COVID-19 Pandemic”

Invited Speakers:

• Theme: “The Role of Policy in Preventing Transmission of COVID-19”
• Theme: “Building Global Public Health Capacity of Decision Makers of 161 ITEC Nations in Managing COVID-19: Lessons Learnt from IPHMDP”
• Theme: “Bridging Gaps in Public Health Competency-based Education Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic”
• Theme: "The Taiwan Model of COVID-19 Control and Its Global Implication"

Conference Committee

Honorary Chair		Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos, M.Si.
		Dr. Apt. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, M.Si.
		Prof. Dr. Dra. Ida Yustina. M.Si.
		Ir. Etti Sudaryati, MKM, Ph.D.
General Chair		dr. Fazidah Aguslina Siregar. M.Kes., Ph.D.
Co-Chair		Umi Salmah, SKM, M.Kes.
		Ir. Indra Chahaya, M.Si.
		Prof. Drs. Heru Santosa, MS, Ph.D.
		Dra. Nurmaini, MKM. Ph.D.
Secretary		Winni R.E. Tumanggor, SKM, MPH
Treasurer		Rosihan Anwar Sitompul, A.Md.
		Fitri Khairani, S.ST, MKM
Program Chair		Dr. Sri Malem Indirawati, SKM, M.Si.
		Ecia Meilonna Koka, SKM, M.Kes.
		Izzah Dienillah Saragih, SKM, MKM
		lin Agusniar, SKM
Technical Chair		Arifa Masyitah Panjaitan, SKM, M.Kes.
		Lanova Dwi Arde, SKM, MKM
		Dhani Syahputra Bukit, SKM, MKM
		Khir Ahmad Yaniv, SH
		Muhamiriad Rizwan Anfa, S.Kom.
Liaison Chair		Risanti F.R. Situmorang, SKM, M.Sc.
		dr. Rusmalawaty, M.Kes.
Publicity Chair		Fadilah Aini, SKM, M.Kes.
		Ismil Khairi Lubis, SKM, MPH
		Rodiyah Manurung, S.Kom.
Members		Muhammad Fachri Triwardhana, SE
		Faradila Safitri, SE
		Zendra Syahputra
Scientific Committee
		Prof. Dr. Dra. Ida Yustina, M.Si. (USU, Indonesia )
		Ir. Etti Sudaryati, M.K.M., Ph.D. (USU, Indonesia )
		dr. Fazidah Aguslina Siregar, M.Kes. Ph.D. (USU, Indonesia )
		Dra. Nurmaini, M.K.M.,Ph.D. (USU, Indonesia )
		Dr. Ir. Erna Mutiara, M.Kes. (USU, Indonesia )
		Prof. Dr. dr. Dina Keumala Sari M.Gizi., Sp.GK (USU, Indonesia )
		Assoc. Prof. Supaporn Sudnongbua, Ph.D. (Naresuan University, Thailand )
		Prof. Dr. Sonu Goel (PGIMER, India )
		Prof. dr. K. M. Czabanowska (Maastricht University, Netherlands )
		Prof. Chang Chuan Chan (NTU, Taiwan )
		Prof. Aniza Ismail (UKM, Malaysia )
		Dr. Anisa Baharom (UPM, Malaysia )
		Dr. Robiana Modjo (UI, Indonesia )
		Prof. Asnawi Abdullah (UMA, Indonesia )
		Prof. Sukri Palutturi (UNHAS, Indonesia )
		Dr. Irwan Budiono (UNNES, Indonesia )
		Dr. Ling. Ir. Tri Joko (UNDIP, Indonesia )