On the final day of the second Global NCD (Non-communicable Diseases) Alliance Forum in Sharjah, hundreds of delegates have been told that in order to progress, partnerships and alliances were essential across all sectors including civil societies, targeted private sector agencies, media and many more.

The session titled “Growing the Movement: Equipping Civil Society to Fulfil its Roles in the NCD Response” concentrated on promoting and sharing best practices across the NCD civil society, including launching the NCD Civil Society Atlas, which provides an analysis of emerging trends, key success factors and civil society contributions to the alliance, as well as an illustration of how civil society is delivering on its commitments as stated in the landmark Sharjah Declaration on NCDs.

It aims to boost communication between national and regional NCD alliances and help make the case for the critical role played by NCD civil society. Finally, it will help underpin advocacy efforts in this area including, but not limited to, efforts capitalising on the 2018 UN High-level Meeting on NCDs.

Speaking at the third plenary session of the event, being held at Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre, Professor Jeremy Shiffman, Professor of Public Administration and Policy, American University, United States, said: “What do we need to do to achieve NCD targets? We need to take a step back, see where we are and look at where we are going. We don’t need to more calls to action, we need action – the progress of NCD work is either stalled or very slow. That is why it is crucial to have the right allies.

“Civil societies give patients a voice that can be heard, they develop, identify and implement systems, they pressure governments and they encourage further successes.

“Influence is crucial to change, particularly when taking into account economic factors. If we look at hypertension, treating 500 million people would cost USD 1 billion – that’s just USD 2 per person. Take that further and spend USD 1 billion to save 30 lives over 10 years – that’s USD 33 per life saved. Working with influential, cross-sectoral allies, this can be achieved.”

Another globally-respected panelist at the session titled ‘Growing the Movement: Equipping Civil Society to Fulfil its Roles in the NCD Response’, was Professor Jeff Collin,

Global Public Health Unit, School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh,

United Kingdom.

Professor Collin said that while there may be certain obvious alliances, navigating partnerships is still a potential minefield.

“When we’re talking about connecting with so many agencies, partnerships are hugely important but there are always complications. For instance, I don’t think it’s helpful to talk about ‘the food industry’ under one label. If we look at alcohol, we mustn’t distance ourselves from every agency connected with alcohol – the licencing bodies for example are a team we have some crossover with.”

Professor Collin also referred to a campaign involving the South African Beer company which held a promotion for a pack of beer, which contributed to a meal for three school students for each pack bought. While the intention was undoubtedly for a positive outcome, providing incentives through alcohol is not, and never will be on the NCD agenda.

“We need to be holding agencies to account and also look at ourselves to see that we our being at our most effective and who we should partner with.”

Having held the highly successful inaugural edition and influenced global agendas on NCDs in 2015, this year 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.

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.