A world-leading panel of experts on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has told hundreds of delegates on day two of the second Global NCD Alliance Forum in Sharjah that international human rights and social justice – or a lack of them – are two of the key factors that binds sufferers together. They say that now is the time for action to make the highest levels of decision-makers sit up and take notice.

The comments were made at the second plenary session of the forum, ‘Uniting the NCD Movement for 2018: Framing the Narrative, Advocating for Action and Amplifying Voices’. The panel highlighted the NCD’s initiative ‘Our Views, Our Voices’, which resulted in the ‘Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs’, a grassroots consultation process where two thousand participants from 76 countries contributed to better understanding the needs, challenges, and priorities of people living with NCDs.

Having held the highly successful inaugural edition and influenced global agendas on NCDs in 2015, Sharjah-based Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP) has welcomed more than 350 delegates and 80 expert speakers including scientists, medical pioneers, support groups, NGOs and civil societies from 68 countries across five continents such as Kenya, Mexico, the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Brazil, Jordon, India, Zanzibar and many others.

As a result of the ‘Our Views, Our Voices’, findings, the Advocacy Agenda calls for action in four key areas: human rights and social justice’ prevention, treatment, care, and support; and meaningful involvement.

Speaking at the event, being held at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah from 9-12 December, Ms. Anne Lise Ryel, Secretary General, Norwegian Cancer Society and Global Advisory Committee Member, ‘Our Views, Our Voices’, Norway, said: “We need to promote the voice of the people living with NCDs and the attention needs to reach the very highest levels – there is too little action. In addition to research and data, we need to put a face to NCDs – it’s about people and behind the millions who are suffering, we have captured their voices.”

The forum, which the NCD Alliance has chosen to hold in Sharjah for its first two editions, is held under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, Patron of the Global NCD Alliance, Founder and Patron of FoCP and International Ambassador for the World Cancer Declaration of the Union for International Cancer Control, International Ambassador for Childhood Cancer.

Katie Dain, Chief Executive Officer of the NCD Alliance in the United Kingdom told the delegates that the vital UN High-Level Meeting planned for September 2018 provides the best opportunity to make those voices heard: “It is a chance for us to gain commitments from governments and heads of state and equally as important, hold them accountable in terms of action and time bands for their progress.

“Our priorities are NCD financing; childhood obesity; taxing certain goods – alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy foods, among others; education; and resources. We need to co-ordinate, communicate, agitate and advocate.”

Dr. Kent Buse, Chief, Strategic Policy Directions, UNAIDS, Switzerland, also believes that giving NCD sufferers a voice is paramount to success: “Numbers are needed, but noise is also necessary, he said.

”Remember, it is the wheel that squeaks which gets the oil and we need a multi-sectorial approach through civil servants, civil societies, parliamentarians, ministers, media and many more to come together and give us the right to be heard. Today is International Human Rights Day and it is those rights and injustice which binds us all together.”

Sir Trevor Hassell, President, Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), Barbados, said that a more visible impression was also needed: “The time has come for the NCD movement to make a significant impact and hold a march of ‘Indignation and Hope’ at the High Level Meeting in September. I think we have the credibility and have been established long enough for a truly great march to create a grand impression. It is important that we all align on international, regional and global levels.”

Offering her opinions from a youth perspective, Dr. Mellany Murgor, African Director, Young Professionals – Chronic Disease Network, Kenya, said that young people should be given the chance to be much more involved.

“The youth of today won’t tolerate unnecessary death and suffering and want to be a part of the discussions with a place at the table and input into the agenda and the narrative. It is time to move from a technical movement to a practical movement and young people can play a major role in that. Why not exploit their skills in innovation and their place at institutions of learning?”

In keeping with the commitment to provide practical resources, a key focus of this year’s forum, organised by the NCD Alliance, a civil society alliance uniting 2,000 organisations across the world is to mobilise high-level political leadership to address NCDs, 80% of which occur in low- and middle-income countries.

On the third and final day, an invitation only breakfast takes place from 7 – 8.30am, with doors opening for the plenary session ‘Growing the Movement: Equipping Civil Society to Fulfil its Roles in the NCD Response’ at 9am.

At 11am, workshops include ‘Through the Magnifying Glass: Leveraging Accountability Efforts in NCDs’, ‘Using Research to Advance Evidence-based Advocacy and Policymaking’, ‘Promoting the Best Buys for NCDs: Making the Case’, ‘For the Long Haul: Ensuring the Sustainability of NCD Alliances’ and ‘Promoting a Multi-sectoral Approach to NCDs through Workplace Wellness’.

A final session, ‘National and Regional Advocacy to Maximise the UN 2018 HLM on NCDs’ takes place from 2.15pm – 3.15pm, followed by the closing ceremony of the second Global NCD Alliance Forum which will take place between 3.30pm and 4.15pm.