By: Kimberly Reed, Executive Director, IFIC Foundation   Date: 9/23/11

As I have noted in prior blog posts, earlier this week, Heads of State from around the world met at the United Nations for the High-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Disease (NCD) Prevention and Control and unanimously adopted a Political Declaration  to stand united in a global fight against NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease.  Full details on the U.N. events can be found here.

During his closing remarks, His Excellency Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the U.N. General Assembly, said it best: "There is now a mandate and a clear responsibility to address a challenge of epidemic proportions that curtails economic growth and widens social disparities. It will resonate for years to come and guide the efforts of the international community to address the risk factors and underlying determinants of health comprehensively and decisively. . . . Let me also recognize the important role of civil society as we move to implementation, as they will be key partners both in service delivery as well as awareness-raising."

Because of this continual call for civil society to be a key partner, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation had a truly global day in New York City on Monday to complement the U.N. discussion: 150+ people representing 34 countries joined together for our IFIC Foundation's Global Diet and Physical Activity Communications Summit: “Insights to Motivate Healthful, Active Lifestyles.” 

Leading experts from around the world shared their insights and best practices for the use of science-based, behavior-focused communications in order to motivate individuals and families to achieve healthful, active lifestyles, with the goal of helping to reduce the incidence of NCDs. 

As U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin so appropriately noted during her luncheon remarks, NCD prevention and control "messaging has to include effective science based behavior focused communication; communications that are clear, useful and motivating to the intended audiences.”

The Summit agenda, presentations, and, coming soon, video clips and pictures can be accessed here:

http://www.foodinsight.org/Resources/International-Resources/Global-Summit.aspx

In addition to the U.N. High-level Meeting and our IFIC Foundation Global Summit, there also were nearly 200 other side events held in New York City this week that emphasized the role of civil society. 

For example, at the Diplomatic Courier and International Development Strategies' event in support of women's health at NASDAQ, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania stated: "The role of health diplomacy will be to bring together high-level stakeholders from government, civil society and the corporate community to help shape and articulate the importance of women's health initiatives to the international community.”

It is clear that the world reached a major milestone in securing global solutions to NCDs this week, and the IFIC Foundation, as a part of civil society, is committed to providing context on NCD prevention and control communication. Between now and 2014, as the U.N. continues its plans and will revisit the issue, we welcome you to be a part of the discussion and join us as we move forward together with this important mission.