https://www.who.int/campaigns/
WAAW is celebrated from 18-24 November every year. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly serious threat to global public health that requires action across all government sectors and society. It has significant impacts on human and animal health, food production and the environment.
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites change over time and no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness and death.
- As a result of drug resistance, antibiotics and other antimicrobial medicines become ineffective and infections become increasingly difficult or impossible to treat.
Key objectives:
One of the key objectives of the plan is to improve awareness and understanding of AMR through effective communication, education and training.
- Theme 2024: “Educate. Advocate. Act now.”
The theme for the World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024 is “Educate. Advocate. Act now.” This theme was chosen based on feedback from an online survey among stakeholders from the human, animal, plant, and environmental health sectors, which collected nearly 200 responses. Globally much more can be done to raise public and stakeholder awareness.
- Education
Teachers can include into Science curriculum this campaign to students and motivate them to participate at the campaign following the guide to support WAAW 2024.
This campaign guide offers key information and ideas on how you and your students can join and participate in the commemoration of WAAW.
It serves as a resource inspiring and guiding you and your students developing activities that address the impact of AMR on our world.
The guide includes the campaign theme, calls to action, how to participate, social media information and links to various campaign resources.
WHO hopes it will inspire teachers and students in Science curricula to develop their own local activities. This support is crucial to the success of this campaign.
- Activities: For young people and student groups
Reach out to policymakers with real-life AMR stories and bold statements on the need to preserve the effectiveness of antimicrobials for future generations.
Lead awareness-raising activities:
- Organize educational events such as : walks, talks, competitions, workshops and seminars within your communities.
- Raise AMR awareness in other schools and show the linkages to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), vaccines, pollution, climate change, gender equality, among other important issues.
- Raise awareness through social media campaigns: Share examples of advocacy work and learnings to inspire other students and schools in your country or in coordination of European schools to become AMR champions.
- Collaborate on research projects: Engage in or support research projects that focus on finding solutions to this pressing crisis.
