Dear Forum participants,
Thank you for your valuable ideas and suggestions in this forum. With the team, we have been following the advice and recommendations that you have been giving, and they are providing us with significant insight and inspiration.
One of the key points that a number of people mentioned was to keep AMR messages simple and clear. Some pointed out that there is a low level of understanding, or resistance, to believe the extent of the negative impacts of AMR. In order to convey this in a clearer way, it has been suggested that we use real-life stories of individuals affected by AMR – stories about their journeys – to help make AMR a more relatable subject to ordinary people.
Participants also mentioned the opportunity to use of both traditional and modern media. Social media was identified as an effective tool to reach out to the younger generation of farmers and health workers, and to enable messages to connect with food consumers. Traditional media, especially radio programming, was suggested as an effective way to reach people in rural areas. Adapting messages to local languages was also recommended by multiple people as well.
“Engagement” was also a key word that many people used. Engagement not only supports effective communicating, but it also builds a sense of ownership about AMR issues that we all face. After all, AMR is everyone’s business. People suggested that efforts should be made to engage religious leaders, educators, political leaders, health care providers, medical workers, veterinarians, lab diagnosticians, government agencies, media reporters… and so many more.
These were just a few of the contributions that participants shared in the online forum thus far. As we extend the deadline till 30 June 2020, we look forward to your valuable contributions and ideas. Please keep the great ideas coming, and further challenge our approaches and thinking with your fantastic ideas and suggestions. Many thanks to all consultation participants for your time and effort.
Kind regards,
Scott Newman
Senior Animal Health and Production Officer and
FAO Secretariat to the Africa Tripartite One Health Regional Coordination Group
FAO Regional Office for Africa
Dr. Scott Newman