The Future Talks – COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean

by HCC

The second webinar of our special COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean series:  THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean, was held on Friday June 26th 2020 from 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. EST. It featured youth advocates from across the region who provided insight into their unique experiences during the pandemic and shared their perspectives on how the region can work towards “building back better”.

BACKGROUND

On March 27th 2020, the HCC published an Open Letter to CARICOM Heads calling for ‘urgent action to protect those living with NCDs from COVID-19.  On March 31st, 2020, the HCC released the HCC COVID-19 Advocacy and Communication Strategy to guide HCC advocacy efforts and communication during the COVID-19 pandemic. The strategy has five primary objectives:  increase knowledge about COVID-19 and NCDs; promote access to, and consumption of, healthy foods; promote access to essential medicines and treatments for people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs); promote good mental and physical health; and engage young people as key players in the COVID-19 response.  The strategy aims to contribute to universal health and universal health coverage (UH/UHC) and reduction of inequities, which is a key HCC guiding principle.

This webinar series fulfils two of the four strategies identified to deliver on the objectives of the HCC COVID-19 Communication Strategy: information dissemination and strengthening of CSO communication networks for information and experience sharing.  The webinars will target a number of stakeholder groups, foremost of which are HCC CSO member organisations. Secondary target groups include regional policymakers and technical personnel across various ministries (including health, education, finance, trade etc.), members of academia, national, regional and international partners, the general public including students and the private sector.

The webinar series aims to build advocacy capacity for the promotion of initiatives and policies that support the long-term health of all, particularly vulnerable persons and those PLWNCDs. The webinars will leverage the expertise of diverse stakeholders and partners including civil society actors, technical officers, academics, health care practitioners, and youth to bring awareness to the varied and complex dimensions of COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean in order to guide the multisectoral approach needed to pave the way forward. They will showcase the experiences and lessons learned thus far and highlight good practices in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of these efforts. Current initiatives, solutions and policy recommendations will be discussed to ensure that we “build back better” by strengthening our whole-of-society response to shaping the COVID-19 health legacy.

WEBINAR 2: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

The objective of the second webinar: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN was to highlight the experiences youth face during COVID, including those living with NCDs. The webinar also served as a platform to amplify the youth’s perspective on the monumental change needed moving forward to protect PLWNCDs and lessen the burden for future generations.

Panellists represented youth who have had to manage the realities of COVID, as students, advocates and PLWNCDs. They have had to adopt, adjust and navigate unique challenges that they will unpack and share.

The discussions were guided by the following themes:

(1) NCDs and COVID-19 – The Present

  1. The COVID Experience
    • Unique circumstances experienced by youth
  1. Youth engagement in NCD prevention and control in general and within the context of COVID
    • Current opportunities to meaningfully engage youth especially within NCD prevention and control

(2) NCDs and COVID-19 – The Legacy 

  1. Perspectives on building back our society by strengthening health systems and our NCD response
    • The role of Universal Health Care in “building back”
    • The role of Civil Society in “building back”
  1. The role of youth in “building back better”
    • Key messages for youth during this time

Ways to create more of a conducive environment for meaningful youth engagement and empower youth as messengers

THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 and NCDs in the Caribbean. (view/download flyer)

INTRODUCTION: Ms. Maisha Hutton, HCC Executive Director

NCDs and COVID-19 - The Present & The LegacyNCDs and COVID-19 – The Present & The Legacy
MODERATED BY: Ms. Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer, HCC

PANELLISTS:

  • Mr. Pierre Cooke Jr. – Youth Voices Technical Advisor, HCC
  • Ms. Kerro Knight – Student and PLWNCD
  • Mr. Christopher Laurie – Project Assistant, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados
  • Ms. Zuwena Perry – PAHO Youth Ambassador/CARICOM Youth Ambassador 2015-2018

QUESTION & ANSWER SESSION
MODERATED BY: Ms. Danielle Walwyn, Advocacy Officer, HCC
CLOSING: Ms. Maisha Hutton, HCC Executive Director


WEBINAR 1: CIVIL SOCIETY ROUNDTABLE:  COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

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WEBINAR 3: THE FUTURE TALKS: COVID-19 AND NCDS IN THE CARIBBEAN – THE LEGACY

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WEBINAR 4: WEIGHING THE IMPACT OF COVID-19: NUTRITION, OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY AND NCDS

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WEBINAR 5: RE-OPENING SCHOOLS: SHARED PERSPECTIVES ON NAVIGATING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE “CLASSROOM” DURING COVID-19

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