26 NOVEMBER 2021
Italy partners leverage national political gathering to encourage action
This month marked World Diabetes Day (WDD), and we witnessed many impressive events and activities from cities around the world. Italy leveraged the Cities Changing Diabetes network to partner with and engage institutions, authorities, scientific societies and patient organisations on WDD and draw attention to the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin.
On 10 November, Cities Changing Diabetes partners in Italy hosted a symposium at the prestigious National Association of Italian Municipalities (ANCI). The session attracted 100 participants in the room and an impressive additional 1000 who joined remotely. The Mayors of Genoa, Cagliari and Ravenna took part, all signatories of the Urban Diabetes Declaration.
Cities Changing Diabetes hosted a booth at the meeting, a rare opportunity to capture the attention of top-tier governmental delegates, including the President and Prime Minister, presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, plus thousands of Italian Mayors. On 11 November, awards were presented for best practice to city representatives from Bari, Chieri, Appignano and Sacile for their efforts to prevent urban diabetes.
