Young Leaders Program Launched At Global NCD Forum On Child And Youth

The Young Leaders Program was launched at the first edition of the Global Forum on Non-Communicable Diseases, NCD, for Children and Youth, organised by Friends of Cancer Patients and NCD Child Alliance at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre today

SHARJAH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 26th Mar, 2019) The Young Leaders Program was launched at the first edition of the Global Forum on Non-Communicable Diseases, NCD, for Children and Youth, organised by Friends of Cancer Patients and NCD Child Alliance at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre today.

Taking note of the fact that youth participation in terms of the NCD policy, advocacy and decision-making is not as coordinated as it should be, the programme aims to encourage sustained participation from young leaders. Some of the key objectives of the programme are advocating for youth-centred NCD policies, honing the necessary skills and mentorship, as well as, creating a network of young leaders for joint support.

Open to NCD advocates aged between 19 and 30, the expected output from the programme includes resources in the form of blogs, speaking opportunities, in-person meetings and support for local policy projects.

"Through the Youth Leadership program, we want to elevate the voices of young people and ensure sustained youth participation in the NCD space.

As forbearers of the new generation, we have our entire lives ahead of us and that gives us a long-term perspective towards advocacy. Younger individuals often share a different perspective in terms of NCD dialogues, and have the ability to come up with creative and innovative solutions," said Marie Haurslev, Chair-Elect of NCD Child and founder of the programme.

"Launching it at today’s forum was the obvious choice as we had the opportunity to gather so many young people here with the support of FOCP. We got the opportunity to meet with and to talk to many potential future colleagues at the forum."

The two-day event was organised by the Friends of Cancer Patients, FOCP, and held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Founder and Patron of the FOCP and International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control and International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer for UICC.