During this webinar update on Rotary's polio eradication effort, recorded on 18 February, 2014, we took a look back at the state of polio in 2013; reviewed progress made in polio-endemic countries; and discussed the impact of polio outbreaks. We also provided ideas on how your club or district can support polio eradication through fundraising (maximizing donations through the newest Gates agreement), advocating, and awareness-building.
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM organization and functions
POLIO ERADICATION: 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW… AND HOW YOU CAN HELP IN 2014
1. Polio Eradication
2013 Year in Review and How You Can Help in 2014
Judith Diment & John Osterlund
18 February 2014
2. Audio options
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3. Using the question pod
Use the question pod
to type in where
you are in the
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4. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative: Ending Polio
• THE ROLE OF
ROTARY
• ADDRESSING
CHALLENGES
• RAISING
AWARENESS AND
FUNDS
Governments of the World
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7. CHALLENGING AREAS TO REACH
SYRIA
AFGHANISTAN
HORN OF AFRICA
NIGERIA
CAMEROUN
PAKISTAN
AREAS OF
CONFLICT
GEOGRAPHICAL
BARRIERS
POLITICAL
BARRIERS
POOR
INFRASTRUCTURE
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13. FINANCING THE ENDGAME PLAN
Required
:
US$ 1.5
B
US$
5.5B
Pledged
US$ 3.3
B
We have
We have
the
the
technical
technical
tools, but
tools, but
will fail
will fail
without
without
funding
funding
Confirme
d
US$ 700
M
Requirements
Resources
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19. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
2013 in Review:
More than 400 stories with significant,
positive Rotary messaging.
Two major cover stories: TIME Magazine
and New York Times
Approximately 270 national stories in
outlets including The Independent, Times
of India, and Korea Herald.
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20. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
“A lot of the progress
that’s been made so far
is due to the efforts of
Rotary International…”
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21. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
“…Deepak Kapur,
the chairman of
Rotary International’s
India National
PolioPlus
Committee, has
been at the helm of
the campaign since
2002.”
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23. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
“Rotary International has
been on the frontline of
India’s polio eradication
efforts and helps fund
reconstructive surgeries
at St. Stephen’s”
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24. TRADITIONAL MEDIA
“The club, founded in
Chicago in 1905,
started the global polio
eradication drive in
1988...”
”Rotarians also work
in places that terrify
government officials.”
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35. WORLD POLIO DAY 2013
• Viewers in 15 countries
• More than 11,000 views in
just five days.
• More than 1,000+ people
tweeted about World Polio
Day: Make History Today
• More than 31,000 people
liked, commented or shared
Facebook posts about the
event
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41. How to Help in 2014
• Make a personal gift to
PolioPlus
• Hold a community fundraiser to
support PolioPlus
• Join the World’s Biggest
Commercial
• Wear your End Polio Now Pin
• Talk to others about polio
• Share on social media
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Moderator: Hello and welcome to today’s webinar, Polio Eradication: 2013 Year in Review and How you can help in 2014.
My name is Petina Dixon-Jenkins, and I will be moderating today’s session.
During today’s session, Judith Diment, National Advocacy Advisor, and John Osterlund, General Manager will review status of polio eradication in 2013, and let you know how you can help in 2014.
PETINA:
How can you participate in the webinar today?
You each have your own control panel in the upper right corner of your screen that looks similar to the one here. Use the orange arrow to open or close your control panel.
Next, you’ll select the audio option for listening to today’s webinar. Select the option you prefer in your own control panel in the upper right hand corner of your screen.
If you’d like to connect via the telephone, the dial-in and access numbers will be provided to you in your control panel once you select the “Telephone” option.
Or, you may choose to participate via microphone and speakers from your system. If you are using your computer’s speakers and are having problems hearing, you may wish to try USB headphones or you may wish to try switching to the telephone option.
PETINA:
In order to maintain the highest sound quality possible, everyone except John and I will be muted during the webinar.
We encourage you to submit questions or comments to our panelists and to RI staff members by using the question pod on your attendee control panel (in the upper right corner of your computer screen).
You can also use the question pod if you’re having technical difficulties. Simply describe the problems you are having in the Questions box in your control panel, and an RI staff member will assist you right away.
Now, let’s take a moment to practice using the question pod. Please type your name and where you’re joining us from.
****** Comment on answers coming into the questions pod
NOW I AM PLEASED TO INTRODUCE John Osterlund, General Manager. John?
JOHN: Thank you for joining us.
We are very close to making history by defeating polio, but we must maintain our focus and resolve. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you the unique work of your fellow Rotarians in working to address the remaining challenges to achieving a polio free world.
Despite the challenges, we have come a long way in polio eradication. In 1988, three types of poliovirus paralyzed children in over 125 countries.
Today, only three countries have never stopped transmission of wild poliovirus – Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. And type 2 wild poliovirus paralyzed its last victim in 1999. Type 3 wild polio hasn’t been seen since November 2012. And last month, India celebrated the three-year anniversary of its last case of polio, setting the stage for the entire WHO Southeast Asia region to be declared polio-free in March.
Today we will discuss what is currently being done, and what else Rotarians can do to help end polio- including raising the necessary funds and awareness to get the job done.
JOHN:
What are the risks?
The continued transmission of a terrible, crippling disease that strikes the most vulnerable in our population – children under the age of 5.
If we fail in our efforts, we will lose a global investment that now totals more than US$10 billion – including over US$1.2 billion from Rotarians.
We could see as many as 200,000 children crippled annually within a decade, and the reintroduction of polio into previously polio free countries.
PETINA:
Thank you JOHN. We will now go into a poll to answer the question: What do YOU think are the challenges in achieving Polio eradication?
Please select all that apply from the poll on your screen.
**Share the poll results**
Thank you for your participation. JOHN?
JOHN:
The challenges include: areas of conflict, geographical barriers that make it difficult to reach children, lack of political will, and the challenge of poor infrastructure in places that don’t have strong routine immunization.
There is cause for optimism in 2014, but much work needs to be done.
The good news is that the number of cases in the polio ‘reservoirs’ of Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan was roughly 40% less in 2013 than it was in 2012. Afghanistan and Nigeria made particularly good progress.
However, this progress is tempered by the fact that there were approximately 400 polio cases in 2013. The majority of those were due to an outbreak in the horn of Africa, particularly Somalia. And more recently, Syria- a country which has not seen polio in 14 years– reported its first cases in 2013. Cameroun also confirmed its first case since 2009.
While these outbreaks are certainly not good news, they are not entirely unexpected either. We have overcome outbreaks before and will do so again. We know that outbreaks such as these will continue to threaten children everywhere until polio is stopped in the remaining endemic countries. That’s because all outbreaks are caused by virus that can be traced back to those endemic countries.
Reaching all children with polio vaccine has required the global polio partners to go far beyond the well-known technical tools and strategies that have led to success in more than 99% of the world. In 2014, we need to maintain progress made in the endemic countries, and continue to stop outbreaks quickly.
JOHN:
What role is Rotary playing in helping to overcome these challenges?
First: Gaining access to children…. Pakistan provides a good example.
There are areas of Pakistan where local groups have imposed a ban on immunization activities. In one such area-Waziristan- Rotary has worked with the Pakistani Army to organize makeshift camps where children can receive polio drops.
JOHN:
On the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Rotary has sponsored fixed immunization posts to help reach mobile populations.
Children are immunized upon entry and exit, providing not only a surefire way to reach children whose families are moving between these two countries, but also a safe place for the vaccinators and the families.
JOHN:
Sadly, a key challenge facing the program in some of the most challenging areas, is insecurity.
You may have read about the horrific stories of health workers who have been attacked and killed or wounded while trying to immunize children.
The governments of these countries play a key role in ensuring the safety of their own health workers. This photo shows a Pakistani police officer ensuring the safety of a female vaccinator.
Pakistan has also started to stagger its immunization dates, and hold smaller-scale, lower-profile immunization activities instead of highly-publicized National Immunization Days.
JOHN:
Another way that Rotarians are helping to ensure progress, is by building community support, beyond just polio.
In Pakistan, Rotarians have organized Health Camps, set up permanent immunization centers, opened Health Centers, and conducted garbage cleanup in high risk districts to build community trust and address community concerns.
Rotarians in Nigeria are holding health camps and distributing “plusses” such as bed nets and soap during immunization campaigns.
They are conducting rehabilitation surgeries and adopting low performing local communities to help improve polio campaign quality.
JUDITH:
John talked about how Rotary is working to address some of the unique challenges facing the remaining polio affected countries.
Now, let’s talk about the importance of raising awareness and funds. Raising awareness is a key element in raising the funds needed from governments and individuals.
JUDITH:
Why are funds urgently needed? The Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan, aimed at ending polio by 2018, has a budget of US$5.5 billion.
In order to ensure the plan had a significant investment to support its ultimate success, the first-ever Vaccine Summit was held in April of 2013. At the summit, dozens of longstanding and new donors (MOSTLY GOVERNMENTS) pledged over US$4 billion dollars in financing.
It is now up to Rotary and others to ensure that these pledges are met, and the funds are made available to fight polio.
JUDITH:
To secure continued support from donor governments and others requires Rotarians and others to raise awareness and shine the spotlight on polio eradication, in places where polio is often a distant memory.
Here we see:
Rotarians in the United Kingdom who rode throughout Great Britain and then hand delivered a letter to Prime Minister David Cameron at #10 Downing Street to request the United Kingdom’s continued leadership.
Rotarians in Germany, who worked with the National Train Authority to brand a locomotive.
Rotarians from the Washington, DC together with Bill Gates gathered on the steps of the US Capitol to raise awareness of the need for continued US political and financial support for global polio eradication.
JUDITH:
And the best way we’ve found to help raise awareness is to tell compelling stories.
JUDITH:
The work of the Global Polio Eradication is truly about people. Rotarians, health workers, polio survivors, partners, volunteers, and CHILDREN. We talk about polio cases, and quality of rounds, but what it really boils down to is personal stories. Of children who have been saved from polio, and the people who are making it possible.
JUDITH:
So we coordinate our messaging across our various channels to give our stories the most impact.
JUDITH:
First, reaching Rotarians. As I know you’re all aware, this organization has ready-made ambassadors for the cause– our 1.2 million members.
We are working to share consistent messaging through all of the communications channels listed on your screen, to help make sure that Rotarians are kept updated on polio priorities, key messages, and successes throughout the year.
JUDITH:
Next, Traditional Media, or News Media.
The key takeaway here is that Rotary IS GETTING CREDIT for its role in the fight to end polio in top-tier global news outlets including TIME Magazine, NPR and Discover Magazine.
Proactive media outreach to top reporters at key publications has paid off, increasing Rotary’s presence in stories on polio eradication, significantly.
JUDITH:
And it’s not just that we are mentioned… it’s HOW we are mentioned. It’s worth pointing out that Rotary, as a membership organization seeking growth, has received a lot of positive mentions in association with its flagship program, which helps to strengthen our image to those who are not aware of who we are and what we do.
Here are a few examples: this was a cover story in the international edition of time magazine in January 2013.
JUDITH:
Just last month, the entire partnership celebrated the milestone of India being three-years polio free. And Rotary was featured in top tier media coverage including The New York Times “India Ink”, Newsweek.com, BBC, National Geographic Newswatch, Canadian Press and others.
JUDITH:
And here are just a few more highlights…. In October 2013, Rotary was highlighted in a national news story in the US on PBS. Rotary’s National PolioPlus Chair for Pakistan, Aziz Memon was interviewed.
The story includes the voices of health workers, religious leaders, and Rotary Pakistan. There are a lot of Rotary visuals throughout the piece as well. PBS is the national public broadcaster in the U.S. and has an immense reach throughout the country.
JUDITH:
Voice of America focused on the work being done at St. Stephen’s hospital in Delhi and the work being done by Rotary
India. VOA broadcasts to an estimated worldwide audience of more than 100 million people.
JUDITH:
And this is a front-page article in the New York Times, by science reporter Donald McNeil, who has been following polio for years.
The article was picked up worldwide, and the website alone averages more than 15-million unique monthly visitors. A good look at the program and good exposure for Rotary as part of the narrative.
JUDITH:
And also, in direct support of Rotary’s fundraising efforts-- the 2013 launch of Rotary’s “End Polio Now: Make History Today” campaign yielded good media coverage for us as well. It was also mentioned in Forbes.
JUDITH:
Through media tours, we sent reporters to India and Nigeria to see the efforts up close, resulting in the media coverage you see on your screen in the UK, US, and global publications
JUDITH:
Moving on to all things polio online.
Endpolionow.org is our destination for Rotary and polio information.
Since launch, the page has generated more than 18 million views.
JUDITH:
Visit Endpolionow.org/stories to tell us yours. There are areas in which you can share your story:
Club/member spotlight (what you are doing locally)
Fund raising stories
Faces of the fight (if you have volunteered for the cause)
JUDITH
Visit endpolionow.org/resources to get graphics and information (LIKE THIS) for your club to use to help raise awareness locally.
JUDITH:
By now hope you’ve seen The World’s Biggest Commercial. There are more than 75-thousand people from 150 countries who have uploaded their “this close” pictures to the website. Supporters make the “This Close” gesture to ending polio by making a simple gesture and taking a photograph. A user uploads a photo and is added to the ever-expanding piece.
A 30-second “best of” version aired in Times Square in February and March, and we are creating :30 and :60 versions for use as PSAs once the campaign ends.
JUDITH:
Rotary has engaged more than 100 celebrities and notables. They have huge social networks and can amplify our reach quickly.
JUDITH:
The “This Close” campaign has continued to grow. New additions to the campaign include Brazilian supermodel Isabelli Fontana. Her joining the campaign was celebrated with a launch party by Brazilian fashion label Tufi Duek, and we were able to generate mentions and coverage online in Rolling Stone Brazil, Harpers Bazaar Brazil, and Vogue Brasil.
One of the best examples of an engaged celebrity ambassador is actress Archie Panjabi. She is a British actress whose parents are from India- she lived in Mumbai for several years in her youth. Saw polio survivors growing up, and when Rotary made the invite to her, she jumped at the chance.
Archie has been fantastic in carrying our message to the media, particularly outlets that may not typically talk about Rotary or polio.
In every interview, Archie talks about her dedication to being an ambassador for this cause.
JUDITH:
So, finally, I want to share an example in which we used ALL of these channels at a single point in time, sucessfully, was World Polio Day 2013.
In India alone, more than 30 landmarks across the country were illuminated with the End Polio Now message , receiving strong media coverage.
JUDITH:
For World Polio Day, Rotary also held a special event with Northwestern University’s Center for Global Health in Chicago that was broadcast live online.
Viewers in 15 countries (including Ukraine, Brazil and South Africa) tuned in for the live broadcast.
The live and archived video of the event had more than 11,000 views in just five days.
JUDITH:
Rotary gained global media coverage on World Polio Day- some of which you see displayed on your screen.
JUDITH:
We want you to mark your calendars and start thinking about how your club will mark World Polio Day 2014. We are planning another event that clubs can stream remotely and engage others in their community to attend.
PETINA:
Thank you Judith. We will now go into a poll to answer the question: What have you or your club done to raise awareness about Polio eradication?
Please select all that apply from the poll on your screen.
**Share the poll results**
Thank you for your participation. NOW TO JOHN OSTERLUND. JOHN?
JOHN:
Rotary’s own financial support will be magnified by an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Starting in 2013 through 2018, every US$1 dollar that Rotary commits in direct support for polio immunization (up to US$35 million per year) will be matched by an additional US$2 dollars from the Gates Foundation. This means contributions to Rotary’s PolioPlus program will have three times the impact.
Rotary’s fundraising, paired with continued advocacy to donor governments will help secure the financial resources necessary for the success of the Strategic Plan.
JOHN:
Here are a few examples of how clubs and districts have worked to raise funds and awareness for the fight to end polio.
Rotarians held an End Polio Walk in Korea
The Rotary crocuses- this is a popular project in the UK, where they’ve made the purple crocus a symbol for the campaign, and give them in exchange for a contribution to PolioPlus.
A “Stop Polio” boat travels the world (this was in Lisbon)
There are many other project examples on endpolionow.org, that could help to inspire you or your club.
JOHN:
Here are some ways Rotarians can help in 2014.
Hold a community fundraiser to support PolioPlus; take the opportunity to tell everyone how much further their donation goes, when the Gates Foundation match is taken into account.
If you haven’t already, upload your photo making the “This Close” to ending polio gesture, to the “World’s Biggest Commercial.” Set up a booth at an event to encourage participation. It’s a good way to break the ice, and talk to people about the fight to end polio.
Ask everyone in your club to wear an End Polio Now Pin
Talk to others about polio
Spread the word on social media- get materials from endpolionow.org/resources
JOHN:
As mentioned, there are plenty of online resources to help your efforts.
Visit endpolionow.org for materials
Polioeradication.org for the most recent program news such as the current polio case count and the global status of polio eradication.
And to purchase materials for your upcoming polio events please visit shop.rotary.org or independent vendors worldwide.
To make a donation, or to encourage others, please use the website endpolionow.org/donate
JUDITH:
We would like to thank you all for joining us for today’s webinar. We hope that you found it informative.