What is the Unite for Diabetes Campaign about? How did it get started? 
     The Unite for Diabetes campaign is a campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) to secure a UN Resolution on Diabetes, reach 1 billion people in an awareness campaign and unite all people affected by diabetes.  One way we are doing this is by promoting the Blue Circle Pin (a new symbol for diabetes much like the red ribbon is for HIV/aids).  The genesis of the UN resolution began with Clare Rosenfeld in 2001 [Clare is Kari's 20 year old daughter who has had Type 1 diabetes since 1993).  Clare wanted to find a way for young people with diabetes to have a voice at the UN, hoping that by reaching the worlds leaders, they would help make positive change for people who have diabetes and those affected by diabetes.  Clare took this dream to Professor Martin Silink, President-Elect of the IDF in 2003.  Professor Silink took up the challenge and has led the IDF in the UN Resolution and Unite for Diabetes campaign effort.

What is the UN Resolution for?
     A UN Resolution has no legally binding power.  It does however show the will of the people.  The UN Resolution on diabetes asks governments to:
          Recognize the urgent need for multilateral efforts to promote and improve human health
          Develop national policies for the prevention, treatment and care of diabetes
          Designate 14 November as World Diabetes Day to be observed officially by the United Nations beginning 2007

What does it take to pass a Resolution? 
     A resolution can pass in several ways.  A good way to learn about the different processes to pass a UN resolution is to visit the UN website at www.un.org.  Our diabetes resolution would be passed when a Member State or Mission of the UN (in our case The People's Republic of Bangladesh) agrees to become a sponsoring country of the resolution.  This means they will work with IDF to draft the resolution document, work to gain support for the resolution within the UN and if they can gain enough support they then place it on the agenda of a Committee.  The resolution draft is then discussed in Committee and if there is a high level of support, it will go to the General Assembly for a vote.  There are 192 Member States at the UN.  Out of those we need 97 votes to pass the resolution.

What are some of the global issues on diabetes? 
     Diabetes is a global problem with devastating humanitarian, social and economic consequences.  Today more than 230 million people have diabetes and every year more than 7 million people will develop it.  These numbers are increasing in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  For people with Type 1 in developing countries, access to insulin, glucose monitoring devices and education are limited and in many areas non-existent.  No person should die from diabetes!  A UN Resolution can help!

You and Clare spent some time traveling around the world visiting these developing countries. How did your experiences seeing these issues firsthand influence the Campaign? 
     Clare and I are honored to work with the top leaders in the field of diabetes.  We all share the passion to do something about diabetes and there are many people who have committed time and energy to making the Unite for Diabetes campaign successful.
     Clare was one of the first young people to see and grasp the enormity of the global diabetes situation.  Young people tend to hear the voices of other young people and it is there where Clare's understanding of the dire situation has helped other young people become aware too. 

What are some activities the IDF is doing to help pass it?
     The IDF has a top-down, bottom-up approach in passing the resolution.  The top-down is where the leaders of IDF Member Associations and Diabetes Organizations are working to encourage governments to vote positively for the resolution.  The Bottom-up approach is the grassroots effort with an aim of reaching 1 billion people.  Our Pass the Pin initiative is one very important way for people to sign the petition in support of the resolution and share their support with others. 

What other organizations are involved?
     JDRF, Member Associations such as ADA, CDA, etc., AADE, FEND (Federation of European Nurse Diabetes Educators), Rotary International, Global Alliance for Women's Health, Children with Diabetes and many more.

Who are the Youth Ambassadors? What will they be doing?
     The IDF Youth Ambassadors are a group of 25 young people (ages 18-25) from countries around the world who have been selected to attend an IDF Leadership Training in Cape Town, South Africa.   These young people will become representatives for the UN Resolution on Diabetes.  They will also work together as a group over the course of the next years to help us reach 1 billion people and raise the level of awareness for diabetes. 

Why is it important for teens to be involved in advocacy? How can teens get involved in the Campaign?
       Teens have a powerful voice and the IDF is listening!  We encourage all teens who are interested to join your local diabetes organizations and get involved!  In addition, join the Unite for Diabetes Campaign and send us your message of support, sign the petition and pass the pin.  Put this on your blog sites, send photos of how YOU see the blue circle, hold an event to raise awareness for the campaign and send us your photos and stories.  We can post them on the Youth Ambassador page of the website: www.unitefordiabetes.org/youth