World Polio Day 2020 Virtual Event

Pakistani health worker administering polio vaccine to a young child. 
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EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN THIS EVENT VIA FACEBOOK LIVESTREAM, FROM 6.30PM - 7.30PM AEDT ON WEDNESDAY 21 OCTOBER AT THIS LINK

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Global Citizen, RESULTS Australia, UNICEF Australia, Rotary and Polio Australia are delighted to invite you to join for a special virtual event to honour World Polio Day 2020!

This annual event is usually held in Parliament House, Canberra, in an effort to ensure polio eradication remains front and centre of the agendas of key policy and decision makers. 

But this year, we're going virtual and throwing the doors open to global citizens, supporters, networks, individuals and organisations who are passionate about ensuring polio is the second ever disease eradicated from the world. 

The challenge that COVID-19 has presented however has meant that resources have been diverted from polio vaccination programs in countries still grappling with cases of this insidious disease. 

Despite these challenges, in August 2020 the World Health Organisation African Region was declared wild polio free after four years without a case. It is possible!

We want to see Australia's proud history of leadership on polio eradication efforts continue to ensure we see the end of polio for those living in PNG and our Pacific region. Because if 2020 has taught us anything, it's that when a disease is a threat somewhere, it's a threat everywhere. 

We will be showcasing stories of healthcare workers on the front lines delivering polio vaccines in the most remote areas, health experts that have dedicated their careers and lives to seen an end to polio and unexpected voices lending their platforms to ensure the call is heard loud and clear. 

Exclusive video messages from: 

• Chris Maher, Senior Advisor to the Director-General, World Health Organisation
• Fiona Stanley AC, Australian paediatrician and epidemiologist
• The Hon Mark Coulton MP, Minister for Regional Health, Regional Communications and Local Government
• Hamish Young, Head of Polio Program UNICEF, Pakistan
• Jalaa’ Abdelwahab, Former Deputy Director, UNICEF Global Polio Team, Cambodia
• Jesse Harman, Australian Rotarian and Director, Rotary International Board
• Liz Telford, polio survivor and Polio Australia representative
• Will Genia, Australian Rugby Union player and UNICEF Ambassador
• Jay Wenger, Head of Polio Eradication, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Melodie van Wyk, RESULTS Australia Grassroots Advocate
• Peter Khalil MP, Member for Wills and Co-Chair Parliamentary Friends of UNICEF

See you there!

Global Citizen, RESULTS Australia, UNICEF Australia, Rotary & Polio Australia