By Alex Huddell

I was moved that more than 30 college student and recent graduates came to the National Mall on April 3^rd, 2010 to play in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament to benefit the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases.   We called the tournament “7 Players, 7 Cures” because each team has 7 players on the field in a game of Ultimate, and each of the Global Network’s “rapid-impact packages” treats 7 of the most common NTDs.   Everyone I talked to about the tournament was so excited that their $10 donation could treat upwards of 20 people—just 50 cents (and sometimes less!) can treat an individual for the 7 most common NTDs for an entire year.

The weather was gorgeous, the games were fun, and spirits were high.  Students mixed genders to forms teams that they do not usually play with, which made for a light-hearted day.  We took a few minutes before the championship game to congratulate ourselves on a fun day of playing and for incredible success as a group, raising $335, enough to treat 670 people for NTDs for 7 NTDs for one year!

I am thrilled that the tournament was such a success, and that it may complement, in its modest way, the incredible accomplishments of the Global Network.   Studying for my Economic Development final tonight, I came across a direct reference to NTDs and the Global Network’s work in Micheal P. Todaro and Stephen C. Smith’s tenth edition of Economic Development. I could not help but giggle in excitement because NTDs have seemed to gain recognition across the global health and development fields in recent years.  Congratulations to the Global Network and its partners, and all of the advocates out there who continue to push for the eradication of NTDs as an integral strategy for development.   Policy-makers are starting to realize the vast potential of investments in treating NTDs!

The Global Network spent last weekend surrounded by inspiring students making real commitments to change their communities and the world around them. The 3rd Annual Clinton Global Initiative University meeting, held in Miami, brought more than 1500 students, national youth organizations, and university officials together to discuss solutions to pressing global issues. In the Opening Plenary Session, President Clinton highlighted commitments from some of last year’s student rock stars, including Sam Adelsburg, Founder of LendforPeace.org, a micro finance initiative for the Middle East, and Robyn Allen, an MIT student who founded the Vehicle Design Summit, a student-led program working to contribute a new mode for education, innovation and inspiration through transportation design. The discussion was followed by a panel on igniting the social imagination which featured leaders from the government, academic, and non-profit sectors.

Global Network team member Erin Finucane at CGI-U

I had the good fortune to be invited to participate as a public health facilitator where I led student table discussions around advocacy and media. After a training that went late into the evening on Friday, we got started bright and early Saturday morning. What impressed me most about the table discussions was the commitment and passion of all of the student participants who not only had brilliant ideas, but the dedication to follow them through. Selfishly, it was also inspiring to hear a number of students connect their projects (varying around peace, water and sanitation, and other global issues) to the control and elimination of NTDs. I’d be remiss if I neglected to mention that one of my favorite moments was when a Stanford student ran up to me and said, “I love parasites!”

CGI-U brought students together from over 70 countries and all 50 states and I am confident that their impact will reach even further. More than anything, last weekend reinforced for me the critical role that students play in advocacy work. Whether addressing NTDs or other international crises, the future of these critical issues is in their hands. Thankfully, the solutions are, as well.