Youth-led organization, Restless Development, has made a powerful statement at Westminster today by installing a striking “Fund the Fight” vending machine. The machine is stocked with essential tools such as mosquito nets, TB tests, and HIV medicines, and is marked “out of order” to represent the potential consequences of the UK’s failure to recommit to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
According to new polling by More in Common for Restless Development, 80% of young Britons aged 16-24 believe it is crucial for the UK to invest in global health, even when faced with challenges at home. Additionally, 70% of respondents believe that it is the UK’s responsibility as a global leader to help improve health abroad, and 85% personally care about the UK’s support for efforts to tackle diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria.
“The Global Fund plays a critical role in safeguarding the health and futures of young people worldwide. However, without full replenishment, the progress made is at serious risk. Today, young people in the UK are raising their voices and calling for action. It is imperative that we listen to the younger generation and honor our commitments to the life-saving Global Fund,” says Alex Kent, Co-CEO of Restless Development.
With the recent decision to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote, there is a clear mandate to listen to the voices of young people. As the new Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper has a unique opportunity to demonstrate that she is listening to young voters by protecting the UK’s leadership in global health and recommitting to the Global Fund.
The Global Fund has already saved 50 million lives, and it is crucial that this progress is sustained. As demonstrated by the youth campaigners today, failing to uphold our past commitments to the Fund would not only put millions of lives at risk but also be considered “out of order.”
This news release is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.