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PRIORITY 1.

Put People First

RATIONALE

People living with, at risk of and affected by NCDs (PLWNCDs), young people, and civil society must be at the heart of the NCD response.

To date, the empowerment and involvement of PLWNCDs and young people has been broadly neglected. Currently the knowledge of PLWNCDs is undervalued in NCD programme development, implementation and policy-making, and in general PLWNCDs are under-represented as leaders in organisations and are largely silent in decision-making processes. This situation must be corrected in order to realise the rights and responsibilities of people living with NCDs, which require supportive political, legal, and social environments that give all people the opportunity to speak up, especially those most vulnerable and disenfranchised.

Through close connection with communities, civil society organisations (CSOs) provide people affected by NCDs with an essential voice in decision-making processes. CSOs raise public demand and engage with and apply concerted pressure on governments to ensure that resources and services reach and benefit affected communities, as well as hold governments and other sectors to account. Investing in civil society should be recognised as part of the global public goods agenda.

ILLUSTRATIVE ADVOCACY ASKS

  • Acknowledge the significant contribution of civil society to the NCD response through its role in advocacy; supporting access to services; raising awareness and ensuring accountability.
  • Work with civil society and PLWNCDs to develop global principles on the meaningful involvement of people living with NCDs in all aspects of the NCD response.
  • Acknowledge the role and contribution of PLWNCDs, young people and civil society actors in addressing NCDs in all its aspects, and recognise their full involvement and participation in the design, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes and services.
  • Involve PLWNCDs, young people and civil society actors in decision-making and policy-setting processes and mechanisms.
  • Partner with local leaders and civil society, including community-based organisations, to develop and scale up community-led NCD services and to address stigma and discrimination.
  • Increase investment in civil society to support the NCD response.

OUR CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

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