Synergy Online – May 16, 2002

In this issue:
-WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE
-CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOBACCO OR HEALTH
-CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION ON ASSISTED HUMAN
REPRODUCTION
-CANADA INVESTS IN CHILDREN’S NUTRITION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
-POLLUTION-RELATED DISEASES KILL MILLIONS OF CHILDREN A YEAR
-WELLCOME TRUST OFFERS MASTER’S RESEARCH TRAINING FELLOWSHIP
-CONTEST FOR YOUTH: BUTTERFLY 208
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WORLD NO TOBACCO DAY PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AVAILABLE

The Office of Public Information of the Pan American Health Organization
has produced a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in honor of
World No Tobacco Day 2002. World No Tobacco Day is celebrated annually
on May 31.  This year’s theme is “Tobacco Free Sports.” Two of the
announcements focus on sports; the third announcement features
firefighters from around the United States.  The PSAs can be viewed via
computer using Real Player (free software also available at the
website). Broadcasters can also obtain a videotape copy of the
announcements. The messages do not mention any specific date, so they
can be used throughout the year.  For more information or to view the
PSAs, visit: http://www.paho.org/English/DPI/WNTD_2002_PSA.htm. (Spanish
versions available at:
http://www.paho.org/Spanish/DPI/WNTD_2002_PSA.htm.)
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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS: THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON TOBACCO OR HEALTH

The Board of Directors of the Canadian Council for Tobacco Control
(CCTC), and Health Canada, as the major sponsoring partner, are seeking
abstracts for the Third National Conference on Tobacco or Health to be
held in Ottawa, December 1-4, 2002. The theme for the conference will be
“Science and Policy in Action”. Although all submissions linked to the
overall theme of the conference are welcome, work related to the
following is especially encouraged: Prevention, Protection, Cessation,
Denormalization, Youth, Media, Aboriginal Populations, and/or Women. The
conference will be designed primarily for policy makers, program
planners and professionals in the health field, community organizers,
researchers, health advocates and the media. The conference will also
reach out to new groups, such as worksites and unions, provincial
Workers’ Compensation Boards, the school system, the legal system,
hospitals and other health care institutions, community networks and
smokers themselves. The deadline for abstract submissions is midnight on
June 14, 2002. For complete submission guidelines, visit:
www.taylorandassociates.ca/tobacco/english/call_abs/submit-inst.html.
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CANADIAN GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION ON ASSISTED HUMAN
REPRODUCTION

On May 9, 2002, The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health,
introduced in the House of Commons an “Act Respecting Assisted Human
Reproduction”. The comprehensive legislation will protect the health and
safety of Canadians using assisted human reproduction (AHR) to help them
build their families; will prohibit unacceptable activities such as
human cloning; and, will regulate AHR activities and related research.
The Bill also establishes the Assisted Human Reproduction Agency of
Canada (AHRAC) which will license, monitor and enforce the AHR Act and
regulations.  This legislation responds to the needs of the estimated
one in eight Canadian couples who are reported to suffer from
infertility. To read the Bill, visit:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/protection/reproduction/legislation/index.html.
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CANADA INVESTS IN CHILDREN’S NUTRITION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

At the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children
(UNGASS), Canada announced two major contributions to help fight
malnutrition in developing countries. Canada is dedicating $20 million
to the Micronutrient Initiative, an Ottawa-based international centre
that has achieved impressive results in helping to eliminate
micronutrient malnutrition, which impairs immunity and reduces the
physical and mental capacities of children.  Canada will also contribute
$500,000 to the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), an
international partnership that helps save lives and improve health,
productivity and cognitive function by eliminating micronutrient
deficiencies.  For further details, refer to the press releases:
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/852562900065549a85256250006cbb1a
/f28d9ce28dcc8a3685256bb400531eb3?OpenDocumentand and
http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/852562900065549a85256250006cbb1a
/9d6582ea4e95f49485256bb3005b1333?OpenDocument.
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POLLUTION-RELATED DISEASES KILL MILLIONS OF CHILDREN A YEAR

Every day 5,500 children die from diseases caused by consuming water and
food polluted with bacteria, according to a new study released by three
United Nations agencies. This alarming figure, from “Children in the New
Millennium: Environmental Impact on Health”, shows that children
worldwide are the greatest victims of environmental degradation, despite
strides made over the past 10 years in improving both children's
well-being and the environment. The diseases that thrive in a polluted
environment, most notably diarrhea and acute respiratory infections, are
two of the leading causes of child mortality. The “Children in the New
Millennium” report was released as part of the UN General Assembly
Special Session on Children. This landmark conference, attended by more
than 60 heads of state or government and 170 national delegations, aimed
to place children back at the top of the world's agenda and to foster
more investment in essential social services for children. One of the
Assembly’s main goals was to increase household access to hygienic
sanitation facilities and affordable and safe drinking water.
http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/press/02pr25diseases.htm
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WELLCOME TRUST OFFERS MASTER’S RESEARCH TRAINING FELLOWSHIP

The Wellcome Trust is offering opportunities for research training under
its new Health Consequences of Population Change Program. The program
focuses on the changing health outcomes resulting from demographic,
socioeconomic and lifestyle changes, taking place in developing
countries.  Applicants for the Masters Research Training Fellowship
should be residents of developing countries in Africa, Asia or Latin
America, or the restructuring countries of Central and Eastern Europe,
including the former Soviet Union.  Candidates must be nominated by the
principal investigator of research programs based in developing
countries, who will submit the application on their behalf. The closing
dates for receipt of full applications are: July 1, 2002 (decisions will
be announced in October 2002); and March 3, 2003 (decisions will be
announced in June 2003).  For more information on the Fellowship, visit:
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/en/1/biosfgintpopfunmas.html
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CONTEST FOR YOUTH: BUTTERFLY 208

Sponsored by CIDA and the organization Learning for a Sustainable
Future, the Butterfly 208 contest encourages youth between the ages of
14 and 18 to submit an essay or artwork based on one of the following
social development themes: child protection; education; HIV/AIDS
awareness; or health and nutrition. Through their submissions,
participants will learn about the links they share with people from all
208 countries in the world.  The Butterfly 208 Web site, www.bp208.ca,
provides interested youth with further contest details, information
about development issues, real-life stories and links to other
non-profit aid organizations. Contest entries will be accepted until
June 7, 2002. The contest winner will travel to a developing country in
Latin America to visit CIDA-funded projects.
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