PROJECTS

Advocacy

In its position as accredited partner to UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), IFPD has been actively contributing to promoting the Fund's activities in Switzerland for several years. The Foundation thus participated in the organisation of events such as the launch of UNFPA's annual publication "State of World Population", open days at the UN in Geneva, a trip to India of UNFPA's Goodwill Ambassador for Switzerland (Dr Bertrand Piccard), a poster competition, etc.

IFPD is currently planning several projects aimed at increasing UNFPA visibility in Switzerland.

In order to raise awareness about UNFPA and its mission among the general public as well as potential donors in Switzerland, IFPD has further decided, in collaboration with UNFPA, to produce and broadcast a video clip illustrating one of the main aspects of UNFPA's commitment.

The clip was finalised in 2005, and deals with the issue of safe motherhood. It focuses on the high number of maternal deaths in developing countries and the means, both simple and cost-effective, needed to prevent most of these deaths.

The pictures on the screen feature a young Indian woman, called Sunita, who lives in the slums of Mumbai (Bombay). Through the character of Sunita, the situation of mothers to be in developing countries is given a "real face" and therefore brought to the public in a straightforward and powerful way.

IFPD organised the airing of the clip (which lasts approximately 45 seconds) in the movie theatres of 6 major cities around the French speaking part of Switzerland (mid-November to mid-December 2005), and 9 cities in the German speaking part of the country (December 2006). On the whole, the audience of 80 movie theatres had an opportunity to see it.

The clip is presently available in French and German. If requested, it will be translated into other languages. All UNFPA partner organisations interested in using the clip for their own advocacy purposes are welcome to contact IFPD.