Photo Credit: Wayan Vota
It’s been an interesting week here in New York during UN Week. While the pace and spread of information has been frenzied, we can’t deny that the use of social media has opened up the conversation about international development, global health, and philanthropy to a much larger audience of caring, concerned citizens all across the globe. The words “social good” have certainly entered into my rhetoric after this week. (follow @socialgood on Twitter).
It’s day 3 here at the UN Week Digital Media Lounge, and we got a nice surprise this morning. USAID Administrator Dr. Raj Shah stopped by for a quick discussion moderated by Sen. Tim Wirth, President, UN Foundation.
» Read more: USAID Admin Raj Shah Makes an Appearance at UN Week Digital Media Lounge!
It’s been another whirlwind day here at the UN Week Digital Media Lounge.
The theme for today was definitely all about Women and Children.
This new Girl Effect video is the best way to start off this blog post:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e8xgF0JtVg
I watched a live stream of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon from the UN Week Digital Media Lounge unveiling a $40 billion pledge from foundations, non-profits, governments and businesses that will go towards the MDG goals of improving the health of women and children.
» Read more: Delivering for Women and Children:Maternal/Child Health and MDGs
Armed with my trusty flipcam, I am determined to get a few video clips this week while at the UN Week Digital Media Lounge with some panelists as well as other experts talking about NTDs and MDGs. Yesterday, during a panel on integration with water, sanitation, nutrition and hunger, Dr. Samuel Kargbo from the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone made a great comment about the success of immunization programs for children that also include deworming activities. It’s been a bit disappointing that I haven’t heard many people talk about NTDs here, but everyone I have met at the lounge has been extremely interested in learning more!
I caught up with Dr. Kargbo on the UN Week Digital Media Lounge “step and repeat” to talk a little more about it:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M616vohOVZc
Following my exciting interaction with Dr. Kargbo on NTDs, I was introduced to Dr. Kevin M. DeCock, Director for the Center for Global Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. DeCock has been at the forefront of the battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic for more than a decade. Prior to this new role, he served as director of the World Health Organization’s Department of HIV/AIDS from 2006-2009, where he oversaw all of WHO’s work assisting low- and middle-income countries to scale up treatment, prevention, and support programs. He also served briefly as Director of CDC’s Kenya office. Click herefor more information on Dr. DeCock and a very informative Q&A with him on his new role at the CDC.
I sat down with Dr. DeCock to talk about NTDs and Obama’s Global Health Initiative. We also talked a bit about the The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and whether it should/can be expanded to include NTDs:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXTaI0rITAQ
Stay with us! At 1:00pm today I will be listening in on a keynote speech live streamed at the Digital Media Lounge directly from the UN: Saving 16 million lives – the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health. Eager to see if NTDs will be on the agenda!
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