United Against Malaria Honors Campaign Advocates from African Football & Enterprise on Malaria
Campaign Celebrates Successful Messaging through Football and Public-Private Partnerships – from the 2010 World Cup to the 2012 African Cup of Nations
On World Malaria Day, the United Against Malaria (UAM) campaign, under the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership, recognized leaders from Africa’s football (soccer) and corporate spheres for their role in bringing malaria control messages to more than two billion 2010 World Cup spectators through public service announcements and media, and to 10 million employees through “Malaria Safe” corporate initiatives. Using football as the catalyst, UAM continues to unite private sector and NGO partners to the fight against malaria.
“As we look forward to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, we continue to believe there is a powerful link between malaria prevention and football,” said Kwesi Nyantakyi, Ghana Football Association president and UAM supporter. “UAM messages resonate with our players and fans on and off the pitch. With every token of support – each UAM jersey, banner or bracelet – African communities are uniting to turn the tide on malaria.”
UAM launched in 2009 as a campaign of anti-malaria partners who leveraged the popularity of football and public anticipation of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The campaign’s 57 football-themed public service announcements
(PSAs) in 16 languages reached as many as 64% of World Cup viewers via television and radio, according to a survey in Tanzania. In addition, UAM African corporate partners have raised critical funds for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria through fan parks and the sale of UAM bracelets. Building on these successes, UAM continues to harness the popularity of football to bring diverse sectors to the fight against malaria.
“UAM has proven that football can be an effective platform for engaging new audiences in the fight against malaria,” said Professor Awa Marie Coll-Seck, executive director of the RBM Partnership. “UAM’s important work attracts a new and diverse group of partners, helping us reach our international target of reducing malaria deaths to near zero by 2015.”
Source: United Against Malaria
This article was originally posted on Sustainable Development Africa Platform
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