Coalition represents youth in WHO live session for World Day of Remembrance
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched a special online session to commemorate World Day of Remembrance last Friday, 13 November. The session featured artistic interventions, testimonies from the families of road crash victims and first responders, messages from world leaders, and more.
The session was led by WHO Director for Social Determinants of Health, Dr. Etienne Krug. Artist, Tshaka Campell, shared compelling poems that discussed the effects of road crashes on individuals, families, and societies.
Founder of Asociacion Madres del Dolor in Argentina, Viviam Perrone, and Executive Secretary of Swatantrata Abhiyan in Nepal, Writu Bhatta Rai gave testimonies about losing loved ones to road crashes. Writu talked about the importance of post-crash care and emergency response and Viviam about the aftermath of her son, Kevin’s, road-related death.
“Everything I do now is in my lovely son’s honor. I am compelled to act so that his sudden, violent, and unnatural death was not in vain and to try to ensure that what happened to our family does not happen to others.” - Viviam Perrone
WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and Jamaican Prime Minister, Andrew Holness also gave statements on why urgent actions need to be taken to address the deaths and injuries caused by road crashes on a global scale.
“True leadership and political will are needed at the highest level of government to tackle this crisis and every sector of society; transport, health, urban planning, and education has a contributing role to play.
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The session was ended by a message from youth, delivered by Coalition Youth Advisory Member, Maolin Macatangay. Mao talked about how youth, through the Global Youth Coalition, have come together to achieve a safer world for young people all over the world.
“It is time we the youth, are seen not only as the victims or the perpetrators of these deaths but also as leaders who can help with global road safety efforts.
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