Event Summary
The event opened with a moving message from polio survivor and global vaccine advocate
Safia Ibrahim, who shared her story of strength, perseverance and empowerment. In conversation on ‘Polio’s past: Our Share Future,’
Prof. Carl Kurlander, award-winning film writer and producer, drew from his documentary
A Shot Felt ‘Round the World, highlighted the role of film in shaping public awareness, while
Prof. Hannah Wunsch, anaesthetist and author of
The Autumn Ghost, reflected on the intersection of medicine and art, showing how the fight against polio has shaped modern medicine.
Dr. Rose Cardarelli, Rotary International, spoke about pioneering the fight against polio by Rotarians, which led to the establishment of the
Globa Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), and that tenacity and commitment continues till polio is no more.
Powerful messages from GPEI leaders including UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, and WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (video message) highlighted the importance of partnership, innovation, and collective determination to finish the job.
The Polio Unplugged Q&A session moderated by Trisha Mukherjee (UN Press Fellow), brought together Dr. Darien Sutton (ABC News Medical Correspondent), Sheeba Afghani (UNICEF Polio Social Behaviour Change Lead), and Ramesh Ferris (Team End Polio Champion and Polio Survivor) for a lively and insightful exchange. Audience questions spanned programmatic challenges to effective medical communication, creating a candid and engaging dialogue.
H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab, UAE Permanent Representative to the UN, reaffirmed the UAE’s leadership and support, announcing a pledging moment for polio eradication to be held this December in Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Kathy Neuzil, Gates Foundation Polio Director and Steven Lauwerier, UNICEF Polio Director, and members of the GPEI Strategy Committee set the stage of the discussion with Member States, speaking about the status of polio eradication efforts, and the progress and milestones that the program has achieved with donor and partner support. Saima Saleem, Counsellor at the Pakistan Permanent Mission to the United Nations, reiterated the Pakistan government’s strong commitment in polio eradication efforts and thanked donors and partners for the unwavering support. Jan Busch, Social Counsellor at the German Permanent Mission to the UN, shared about his country’s commitment in polio eradication being a cause worth supporting because of the tremendous progress and the need to finish off polio together. Also, as environmental detections of the virus in Germany and across several European countries have shown, polio is not just a problem of countries affected by outbreaks. As long as the virus exists anywhere, it is a threat to the whole world.
Youth engagement was central to the event with UN Youth Observer Jarrett James Lash serving as emcee, energizing the audience throughout the program, while UNICEF USA NextGen representative Chandler Garcia wrapped up the event with closing remarks.
The event also featured captivating experiences, including the “Polio’s Last Mile” virtual reality experience by REM5, a polio eradication photo exhibit, and a fascinating guided tour of the Smallpox Hospital ruins and FDR Hope Memorial led by local historian Stephen Martin.
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Thank you, one and all. Together, we #EndPolio.
Steven
Steven Lauwerier
Director – Polio Eradication
United Nations Children’s Fund, 3 UN Plaza, New York, NY, USA 10017
