World TB Day, 24 March 2003 SloganFirst Impressions

Immediately following World TB Day 2003, and for the purpose of updating members at the Co-ordinating Board Meeting
in Brasilia, a document entitled "World TB Day 2003 – First Impressions" was compiled. This document provides a brief overview of the events and activities that were planned and implemented worldwide to mark World TB Day 2003. It is based on information received at the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat in the run-up to, and the first few days immediately following
World TB Day 2003. Reports, photographs, press-clippings, commemorative mementoes and multimedia materials continue to arrive daily at the Secretariat.

First impressions indicate that most countries developed and implemented a communications strategy that strongly focused on the theme of "DOTS cured me – it will cure you too!" and, put cured TB patients centre stage as primary advocates for the campaign.

Despite the headline-grabbing events unfolding in Iraq, the strong work and creative energy of hundreds of partners across the world ensured that the World TB Day activities left a distinctive mark on public consciousness. From the bold and radical set of ‘In Memoriam’ advertisements released by KNCV in the Netherlands, to cricket super-stars endorsing TB messages at the World Cup in South Africa; from press conferences involving high-level political and world leaders in London, Washington and other major capitals, to the simple act of cured TB patients lighting an inaugural lamp at a function in Kerala, each event drove home the campaign’s key messages in its own unique way.

To support planning and preparatory activities, the Advocacy and Communications Team at the Stop TB Partnership Secretariat issued a series of Web Alerts to partners and program managers in the run-up to WTB Day 2003. The Web Alerts included tools and practical tips for designing and implementing a diverse range of interventions. A World TB Day Questionnaire was also issued as a tool for prompting systematic and comprehensive feedback from event organisers. Over the coming weeks, an analysis of the events, activities and materials will be undertaken, and published subsequently in the form of a World TB Day 2003 Highlights Report. To view the "First Impressions" document, and details of the events and activities listed therein, we invite you to visit the World TB Day 2003 area at the Stop TB Partnership website.

Advocacy and Communications Team
Stop TB Partnership Secretariat, Geneva
March 2003

 

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