ORIGINAL MESSAGE ΣΤΗΝ ΕΥΘΥΤΑ ΡΟΔΟΥ

Dear colleagues and friends,
As a representative of a road safety NGO, you may know that the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution in March of this year proclaiming a "Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020". The resolution was co-sponsored by more than 100 countries. You may find the resolution here:http://www.who.int/roadsafety/about/resolutions/download/en/index.html . The Decade of Action for Road Safety is a unique opportunity, and it is our hope that through the initiatives currently being planned, millions of lives will be saved.
In order to prepare for the launch of the Decade on 11 May 2011, the UN Road Safety Collaboration is finalizing a global Plan for the Decade. Developed with the support of many partners from around the world, the Plan proposes five categories or "pillars" of activities: building road safety management capacity; upgrading the safety of road infrastructure; further developing the safety of vehicles; enhancing the behavior of road users; and improving emergency services. The latest version of the Plan may be found here: http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/plan/en/index.html .
WHO has long believed that road safety NGOs play a key role in advocating at national and local level. In May 2009 WHO hosted the "Global Meeting of NGOs Advocating for Road Safety and Road Victims", which convened representatives from 70 NGOs in 40 countries. A second global meeting is being planned for next year. Clearly, the contribution of NGOs will be essential to the success of the Decade. We strongly encourage your involvement. As we prepare for the launch next year, you may consider taking the following actions in your countries:
Advertise the Decade through relevant constituencies
Encourage nomination of a national focal point for the Decade
Be part of a national multisectoral group of "Friends" of the Decade
Call for concrete plans to be developed and announced at launch of the Decade
Support planning of the national launch event for the Decade
Obtain video statements of support for the Decade from dignitaries
In addition as Chair of the UN Road Safety Collaboration, I have invited a small group of NGO members of the Collaboration to assist in planning for the Decade. This group will be in touch with you within the next day to ask for your support in developing a guide for ways that NGOs may contribute to the global Plan for the Decade. You will receive communications from this group from the following email address: globalroadsafetyngos@gmail.com .
We encourage you to respond to their requests.
For further information about the Decade of Action for Road Safety, please visit: http://www.who.int/roadsafety/decade_of_action/en/ . This official web site for the Decade will expand in the months ahead, and will provide useful information for those planning events and activities.In closing we appreciate you support, and look forward to your active involvement in the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020.
Sincerely,
Etienne Krug
Director
Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability
World Health Organization