Youth Panel
In 2007, the Novo Nordisk Youth Panel continued to engage in the fight to defeat diabetes. In order to support a future where empowerment, control, independence and optimism form the mindset of people with diabetes, Novo Nordisk focuses on engaging multiple stakeholders – and among them young people – to change diabetes. The Youth Panel was established in 2005 as part of this aim.
As the stakeholders of the future, young people are integral to changing diabetes. Only by increasing awareness about diabetes and its consequences among young people in particular will we be able to prevent the global health disaster that is looming.
The Youth Panel consists of 16 young people aged between 18 and 26 from 13 different countries. They have come together as Novo Nordisk’s partners to raise awareness about diabetes and to show support for the UN Resolution on diabetes. The young people work with diabetes nationally and internationally: Their aim is to engage with the diabetes community to talk about the future of diabetes, and how to ensure the most optimal diabetes education and treatment. To achieve this, they speak to diabetes doctors and nurses about diabetes treatment; engage with political decision makers to raise awareness; invite young people to join the debate, and coordinate and participate in diabetes awareness events.
The panel also serves as a resource for Novo Nordisk in its effort to build communication tools and evaluate channels to reach young people with diabetes messages.
Supporting the UN Resolution on Diabetes
The members of the Youth Panel gathered in New York around 14 November 2007, to celebrate the first UN-observed World Diabetes Day. Prior to this event, they all engaged in a variety of changing diabetes activities. The Changing Diabetes bus was placed centrally in New York at Union Square and members of the youth panel talked to the visitors about the urgent need for change in order to turn the diabetes pandemic around. They engaged into street awareness activities, interviewing and talking to people about diabetes.
To commemorate World Diabetes Day, the Youth Panel members were invited to join more than 1,000 people to form the world’s largest human blue circle on the lawn of the United Nations – the blue circle which is the symbol of the IDF-led Unite for Diabetes campaign. In addition they participated in a 246 Step March, honouring the 246 million people who live with diabetes, and a Diabetes Rally, where diabetes educational messages were shared.
Support of the UN Resolution on diabetes is a focal point for the Youth Panel’s work because the campaign depends on reaching a billion people at grassroots level with information about diabetes. One idea for spreading the word is to establish a website that will be used to exchange experiences. They will also focus on expanding their networks to other young people who have an interest in diabetes in part by creating local youth panels in the various countries. All the panellists have developed individual action plans outlining their actions as diabetes ambassadors.
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