Editorial
Youth fuel our fight against diabetes
Diabetes can touch all nations and all people irrespective of age, race, sex and background. Around the world, dedicated advocates strive each and every day to raise awareness on diabetes, to reverse the diabetes epidemic and to improve the lives of the millions of people living with diabetes.
Amongst them are a growing number of dedicated young advocates in diabetes: a new generation ready to mobilize to make a change for each and every single person living with this condition.
This new generation of young leaders has the energy, the enthusiasm and eagerness to be the key driver to make sure the needs of people living with diabetes are met and that their voice is heard. And this is here that we –the younger generation- have a crucial role to play.
Who, if not us, is going to carry on the fight against diabetes? This is today the message for each child and each young person living with diabetes: there are no limits for us and we have the strength to go beyond our capacities when we need or want to.
As young leaders in diabetes, we can be role models to inspire children and young people with diabetes. Through our actions, we can also bring support and inspiration to adults who live with this condition, as a way to remind them that their fight is not useless, and that we will be there when they need to pass on the torch.
Everywhere in the world, groups of young advocates are emerging, and strong international networks of young leaders in diabetes are being built. Initiatives such as the IDF Europe Youth Camp are not only a unique way of sharing our triumphs and challenges, but also to build a powerful international network of young advocates who unite to make their voices heard and pass on the message once back in their home countries.
By joining our forces, we can overcome diabetes. Let’s come together and act now.
 Anna Grzegrzółka Young Leader in Diabetes, Poland
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The Youth Issue - n° 27 - 26 of September 2012
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Highlights
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IDF Europe launches its new quarterly e-newsletter
IDF Europe is delighted to present you with the new format for its quarterly e-newsletter, which has now been completed with an interactive online platform, the IDF Europe Newsroom. Thanks to this new tool, find out about the latest news in diabetes across Europe and about all the activities carried out by national associations in the region. To visit the Newsroom, go to newsroom.idf-europe.org
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João Nabais takes over as IDF Europe President
João Manuel Valente Nabais has taken over as IDF Europe President in Lisbon during the IDF Europe General Assembly and Together We Are Stronger Meetings which took place in the Portuguese capital from 21 to 23 September. Read More
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European Young Leaders in action
A group of 23 youth advocates in diabetes from 21 countries across Europe met in Rogla, Slovenia, this July to take part in the 2nd edition of IDF Europe Summer Youth Camp. Learning, sharing and having fun were on the programme. Read More
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IDF Europe rewards fair play at the 2012 Junior Cup Diabetes
IDF Europe was in Lausanne, Switzerland, to support the Junior Cup Diabetes, an annual international football championship for young boys and girls with Type 1 diabetes aged between 8 and 12 organized by Medtronic. Read More
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News from Europe
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Belgium: from the North Sea to the Adriatic Sea
VDV – the Flemish Diabetes Association – is actively involved in developing activities for the youth. The association’s work is rewarded yearly with an increasing number of children and young people living with diabetes taking part in their summer camps and summer weekend activities. Read More
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Croatia: join the Blue City
As part of its projects aimed at children and young people living with diabetes, the Croatian Diabetes Association launched this year an online platform called Plavi Grad - Blue City. Discover what the new website has to offer. Read more
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Engaging Youth in Cyprus
This summer has been a very busy one for children and young people living with diabetes in Cyprus. Learn more about summer camps and the creation of a new Youth Group under the impulse of Polis Stavrou, Young Leader in diabetes who took part in the IDF Europe Youth Camp. Read more
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Germany: united against diabetes
This June, the German Diabetes Association founded a national self-help organization for people living with diabetes, German Diabetes Aid – People with diabetes which aims at empowering people living with diabetes. Nicole Mattig-Fabian, diabetesDE’s CEO, explains the reasons behind this move. Read more
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Youth taking the lead in Germany
Young Leaders in Germany have had a packed agenda over the summer both at national and international level. We have followed three Young Leaders to find out more about their projects all around the globe. Read more
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Olympics fever gains Italy
Following up on the 2012 London Olympics, ANIAD – the Italian Athletes Diabetes Association -and a series of partners including the National Olympics Committee of Italy- organized an athletics competition, Diatletica 2012, on 7, 8 and 9 September in Tirrenia (Tuscany). Read more
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New offices for Maltese Diabetes Association
The Maltese Diabetes Association recently inaugurated its new office in Valletta, Malta. The new office will further help the association in its mission to raise awareness on diabetes and improve the lives of people living with diabetes in the country. Read more
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Youth shake things up in Portugal
From the creation of APDP's Youth Group in May 2012 to the organization of roundtables aimed at young people with diabetes and including the launch of their "School Project", find out about all the activities led by the youth in Portugal. Read more
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Serbia: raising awareness through sports
This summer was definitely a sports season for the Serbian Diabetes Association. Find out more about the various activities organized by the association including a basketball tournament and a tennis competition, the Diabetes Open. Read more
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Slovenia: turn up the radio!
Diabetes will be on the waves across radio stations in Slovenia and worldwide to celebrate World Diabetes Day, as the Slovenian Diabetes Association and the Association of Radio Amateurs of Slovenia organize a radio broadcasting campaign with special call signs (S55T and S50G) to raise awareness on diabetes for the 14th consecutive year. Read more
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Young Leaders invite you to "Walk for Life"
The Swedish Diabetes Association Youth Council, the Swedish Diabetes Association and local diabetes associations across Sweden recently joined forces to support for children with diabetes all over the world with the 2nd edition of Walk For Life. Read more
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Ukraine: joining forces against diabetes
The Ukrainian Diabetes Association took advantage of the Euro 2012 football championship to launch a free campaign to raise awareness on diabetes in Poland and Ukraine: Together let’s overcome diabetes. Read more
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Publications
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IDF Europe launches Advocacy & Communications Toolkit
To mark the first anniversary of the UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD's) and the unanimous adoption of the Political Declaration on NCDs IDF Europe has developed an Advocacy and Communications Toolkit. Read more
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Movers & Shakers
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Alexandra Costa, Young Leader in diabetes
Meet Alexandra Costa, a Young Leader in diabetes from Portugal. An active volunteer for APDP - the Portuguese Diabetes Association - since 2005, Alexandra is also one of the youth behing the creation of the association's Youth Group. Read More
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Katie Gallagher, IDF Europe Policy Officer
Meet Katie Gallagher, Policy Officer at IDF Europe. Mostly working on diabetes advocacy and policy-related activities for the organization, she also organizes and coordinates the IDF Europe Youth Summer Camp. Read More
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