World Diabetes Day around the world

The International Diabetes Federation and the global diabetes community will mark the first United Nations (UN) observed World Diabetes Day by holding a variety of activities around the world on November 14. The key event will take place in New York close to the UN Headquarters (see World Diabetes Day in New York).

We call on everyone to mark World Diabetes Day and invite everyone to participate in the many activities that will be organized by IDF, its regions, its members and the many other organizations and individuals that will be hosting events.

Walk the World - the 246-Step Walk

Let’s all walk together to mark World Diabetes Day 2007! We would like to suggest that any walks held on or around World Diabetes Day symbolically recognize the 246 million people estimated to be living with diabetes worldwide. Please do this by taking the first 246 steps to consider the global burden of diabetes and to remind healthcare policy and decision makers worldwide that we have a shared responsibility to improve the lives of people living with diabetes everywhere. To do nothing in the face of the fast-growing pandemic is not an option.

Any individual or group organizing a walk is encouraged to register the activity through the World Diabetes Foundation’s website. In this way it will be possible to add up and record a global total of the numbers walking in support of World Diabetes Day and the United Nations Resolution.

A monumental challenge: light the world in blue

To mark the monumental occasion of the first United Nations observed World Diabetes Day, we would like to light up landmark monuments in the colour of the Unite for Diabetes logo (Pantone 279 - or as close as is possible) and if possible beam the World Diabetes Day or Unite for Diabetes logo onto a landmark or landmark building. This will create local and global media opportunities for diabetes awareness on World Diabetes Day.

To mark the first UN observance in New York, IDF has secured the partnership of the Empire State Building. One of New York’s most famous buildings will light up in blue on the evening of November 14 (see related article: Diabetes Lights up Empire State Building). This has inspired others to actively pursue the lighting of other landmark buildings around the world. We have received notice of initiatives to light up the Eiffel Tower in France, the Tokyo Tower in Japan, the Sydney Opera House in Australia, and the Sky Tower in Auckland, New Zealand. We hope that these will be confirmed by November 14 and look forward to hear about other initiatives.

If you secure an opportunity in your country, please inform communications@idf.org so that the IDF office team can follow up.

WDD Proclamations and Declarations

We are asking the global diabetes community to seek local, national and regional proclamations and declarations in support of UN Resolution 61/225. One recent example of this is the Proclamation signed by the Mayor of Chicago (see related article: World Diabetes Day proclaimed in Chicago). The American Diabetes Association were successful in securing a proclamation from Mayor Daly on behalf of the city of Chicago and are going national with this initiative. IDF, ADA and JDRF have joined forces to ask Mayor Bloomberg for a similar Proclamation on behalf of New York.

Another encouraging initiative has been a declaration from the Gulf States recognizing the seriousness of diabetes and acknowledging the UN Resolution. This joint statement of the Ministers of Health affirms a commitment to take action to tackle diabetes.

Mark your events on the World Diabetes Day Calendar

Submit details about your events on the World Diabetes Day Events Calendar.

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