US-Middle East Partnership in the News: CNN Vital Signs

This past October, CNN’s Barbara Starr attended the Partnership’s Regional Breast Cancer Advocacy Conference in Amman, Jordan, and produced the above piece for the show Vital Signs. The report highlights the advocacy efforts of Dr. Samia al-Amoudi, a Saudi obstetrician and long-time Partnership supporter. Starr also interviews Dr. Mahmoud Sarhan, director general of Jordanian partner institution King Hussein Cancer Center. The report underscores many key issues discussed at the conference such as how to dispel cultural taboos, how to convince women to do self breast examinations, and increasing the number of women screened. Read more!

Landmark Conference Brings Together Breast Cancer Advocates in the MENA Region

For three days, from October 31 - November 2, 2008, 136 participants from 15 countries came together for the first Middle East and North Africa Regional Breast Cancer Advocacy Conference: Building Bridges for Advocates Across the MENA Region.

Survivors participting in the conference

This landmark regional event was a unique opportunity for leaders in the women’s health and breast cancer awareness movement throughout the region to meet, share information, learn and explore ways to improve breast cancer awareness, detection and care for women in their local communities. Participants included advocates, grassroots leaders, doctors, nurses, government officials and academics.

Her Royal Highness Princess Dina of Jordan, addressing the crowd at the Opening Ceremony

Each day was launched by a plenary session focusing on a particular topic:

• Day 1: Breast Cancer - The Comparative MENA Experience
• Day 2: The Role of Research in Effective Outreach

Participants also engaged in various in-depth break-out sessions, including:

• Volunteerism in the MENA Region/Targeted Outreach
• Cause-Related Marketing and Private Sector Involvement
• Health Communications Strategies and Health Education
• Networking for Advocacy - Working Locally and Expanding Regionally

Each break-out session triggered discussions regarding the application of session topics to local needs and challenges in each individual country. As local contexts vary from country to country, interesting disparities arose between countries with different levels of financial and human resources. Discussions among countries with complementary strengths and weaknesses was of particular interest, and seemed to trigger opportunities for collaboration and further discussion.

Breast Cancer organizations set up informational stands which were displayed for the duration of the conference, and were highlighted during the Poster Session

In addition to the daily plenary and break-out sessions, participants engaged in activities offering opportunities to network with colleagues from around the region, and continue conversations initiated during the break-out sessions. In the end, participants left with new friends and ideas which they aim to cultivate and build upon in the year ahead.

Ms. Jamlah Ireqat poses a question to panelists during the Closing Session

In order to maintain the momentum created by the conference, participants are currently registering for the:

• Partnership Website - provides information about the Partnership, including activities, programs, news, resources, Founding Partner organizations, and various ways to get involved.
• Partnership Network - provides a platform for interaction between advocates, activists, and members of the medical community who are interested in promoting breast cancer awareness in the MENA region. This social-networking site allows members to create a profile, post pictures videos, share links, chat, participate in discussions, create groups and events, and generally build their professional network around the cause of breast cancer in the MENA region.
  

For more information, please visit and register for our website, and join our network!

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IVLP Women Discuss Breast Cancer

Seven women from the Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), came to ICF International on Thursday, October, 16th to discuss breast cancer in their respective countries.

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the women participating in the October program are all involved in the fight against breast cancer in their countries, which include:

• Egypt
• Jordan
• Palestinian Territories
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria

Following a presentation of the US-Middle East Partnership by ICF International, the discussion focused on breast cancer related issues of each country represented in the room. The diverse expertise of the group led to an interesting exchange of information ranging from the need for Oncology nurses in Syria, to the growing network of Egyptian medial students involved in raising breast cancer awareness on college campuses.

It is clear that the amount of work being done in these countries is unknown and unrecognized, particularly outside of the region. Contrary to popular belief, activities promoting the fight against breast cancer are being undertaken, and have been successful in communities throughout the Middle East. The challenge at this point is to inform entities outside of local communities of what is being done, so that there can be national and/or regional coordination where progress is being made.

In order to build upon successes and lessons learned of medical and advocacy groups throughout the Middle East, information needs to be shared. Forums for discussion such as the IVLP program are valuable in that they build bridges not only between the U.S. and the Middle East, but also between critical actors already active and mobile in the region.

If you are interested in joining a network of individuals and groups fighting breast cancer in the U.S. and the Middle East, join the:
Partnership and the Partnership Network

For more on the IVLP program, visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp/index.html

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Lighting the White House Pink

On the evening of October 7th, 2008, the White House was turned pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

First Lady Laura Bush spoke about the significance of eradicating breast cancer, and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships. The First Lady spoke at length about the US-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, highlighting the successes of the unique Partership between the medical and advocacy experts in the United States and the Middle East.

"In 2006, I announced the U.S.-Middle East Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research. This partnership, funded by the Middle East Partnership Initiative, unites the medical expertise of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the educational resources of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with local organizations in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. Already, the Partnership has reached more than 17,000 beneficiaries. And at the end of this month, it'll expand its influence with a historic regional conference, bringing together more than a hundred breast cancer advocates from 15 different countries."

The event marked support of the United States in the fight against breast cancer, but also highlighted the increasing need for public-private partnerships in order to leverage resources, and maximize impact around the world.

Click HERE for the First Lady's remarks

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