The core of Brown's mission is to educate the next generation of leaders to tackle increasingly complex issues of health, economics, population and environment in a global society. The mission includes partnerships with institutions in lower and middle-income countries that are having a direct and positive impact on people in these regions. In order to fully tap the potential of this effort, the Global Health Initiative was established in 2009 to expand Brown's partnerships; to bring together faculty members, students, and international collaborators; and to spur innovation and coordination.