Question of the Month - May 2003

[Anna White]

Dear Friends,

It is really important that as many of you as possible respond to this
month's question -- whether or not you are attending the 12th World
Conference on Tobacco or Health.  Please read on...

Essential Action expects at least 50-100 GPTC participants to attend the
12th WCTOH in August. We would like to make the most of this
once-in-every-three-years opportunity to gather together. One of things
that we are planning is a large semi-enclosed space in the exhibition
area where global partners can meet, network and hold informal
gatherings, and where conference attendees can learn about tobacco
control issues in low-income countries, and ways that they can
collaborate with advocates around the world. Most of all, we would like
this space to be a hub for TAKING ACTION!

Essential Action will promote a few collective action campaigns, but we
would also like to profile a wide variety of local and national
campaigns that you are involved in, particularly if there is some
concrete way that conference attendees might support them.

MAY'S QUESTION:  What tobacco control issues, projects, and campaigns
are you working on now -- and how might international groups attending
the 12th WCTOH support your efforts?

     For example:  A U.S. youth empowerment program might be
     interested in starting a pen pal program with teens in other
     countries, as a basis for future cross-border advocacy
     campaigns.  They could create a small display about their
     group with a sign up form for groups interested in taking
     part.

     For example: A Ugandan group could have conference attendees
     sign a petition denouncing BAT's recent donation of $7,000+
     dollars to a local hospital, to deliver to the media and
     appropriate authorities upon return home.

     For example: A U.S. group that has television access might
     want to collect names and contact information of people who
     would be able to shoot footage of tobacco advertising in their
     countries for a mini-documentary about the tobacco industry's
     activities around the world.

     For example: A group from Latin America could bring a large
     tobacco control banner in support of smoke-free public places
     for conference attendees to sign, to be later used at a press
     conference on the issue back home.

Be creative!  And plan ahead.  If you are not attending the conference,
no problem.  Other GPTC groups who are attending can represent your
issues.  But we will need to hear from you soon, as August is not too
far away.  If you have a global partner, we highly suggest that you work
together on this project.

Also, if you have any other suggestions for this space, please send them
along!

Deadline: FRIDAY, JUNE 20

Lastly, I am going to be out of the office from May 26 - June 19 and
will have limited email access during that time -- so please be patient
if I do not answer messages promptly.

Best wishes,
Anna

Global Partnerships for Tobacco Control
Essential Action
P.O. Box 19405
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: +1 202-387-8030
Fax: +1 202-234-5176
Email: awhite@essential.org
http://www.essentialaction.org/tobacco