NCD Cafés and NCD Dialogues are hosted at various international world congresses during the year by members of the Supporters Consultation Group with the assistance of the NCD Alliance. They provide interactive platforms for open discussions on key topics in the field of NCDs and global health, as well as a space for networking with prominent expert and thought leaders, with an emphasis on partnership and collaboration.
The sessions are informal and highly interactive, with at least half of each session dedicated to open discussion and debate with members of the audience. Sessions often take place during breaks in the principal programme of the conference, enabling participants to simultaneously ‘break and learn’ in a stimulating and thought-provoking space. Sessions are solutions oriented, and designed to help panellists and participants exchange ideas and work together to elicit action to strengthen and support the NCD response.
NCD Café sessions take place in a semi-enclosed space, where delegates passing by can easily join the discussion. The NCD Dialogues are held in more standard conference rooms. In both formats, expert panellists provide opening thoughts, before conversations are swiftly opened to all delegates, and guided by their own inputs and experiences. Coffee and refreshments are provided at both events.
Panellists and participants come from a wide range of disciplines, regions and sectors, from policy makers, to WHO representatives, scientists, advocates, medical practitioners, representatives from the private sector, civil society, and people living with NCDs. Leading experts with a combined wealth of knowledge across all fields of NCD prevention and control come together in a rich discussion with unique potential for collaboration and exchanging best practice.
Topics range from prevention, access to care, addressing NCD co-morbidities, strengthening civil society capacity at the national and regional level, patient engagement, and technological advances to accelerate the NCD response.
The NCD Cafés and Dialogues programmes are developed and run with input from NCD Alliance Supporters, and the host conference. This support is invaluable and demonstrates the value of multisectoral partnerships.
To date, NCD Cafés and Dialogues have been held at the World Cancer Congress, Union World Conference on Lung Health, World Diabetes Congress, International Conference of ADI, World Congress of Cardiology & Cardiovascular Health, and Geneva Health Forum.
Quotes from participants:
The fact that there was standing room at the NCD Café for our session on national NCD movement learnings is testament - not to my meagre speaking skills - but to the Café concept and the great enthusiasm and support that exists for the global NCD movement. Sharing experiences with the conference delegates and fellow panelists has given us all fresh ideas on how we can be stronger - and bolder - NCD advocates. - Rohan Greenland, National Director, National Heart Foundation of Australia
The NCD Café is a fun, caffeinated, and refreshingly relaxed way of listening to, and engaging with, world leaders in the prevention and management of NCDs. Just as email is to snail mail so is the NCD Café to the normal format of conference workshops. It's the new black. - Rob Moodie, Chair of the Australian Preventative Heath Taskforce, University of Melbourne
