Many Partners, One Voice: Strengthening Collaboration Within the NTD Community

2019 is a significant year for the Neglected Tropical Disease NGO Network (NNN) as it celebrates ten years of NGO partnership and collaboration. The NNN was established in 2009 with a vision of a world free from NTDs. Its purpose: to enhance the contribution of NGOs towards that vision by presenting a unified NGO voice on common issues and enhancing a community of practice through membership engagement, learning and sharing knowledge.

Over the past ten years, the NTD landscape has changed significantly. The 2012 WHO Roadmap on NTDs set out a comprehensive plan for the control, elimination and eradication of 17 neglected tropical diseases by 2020. Meanwhile, increased public awareness and political support led to several international commitments in support of NTD efforts. Most notably, in 2012 the London Declaration on NTDs was signed, targeting 10 NTDs for control, elimination or eradication by 2020 and in 2015, Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 included a specific indicator calling for the end of NTDs by 2030. 

At this year’s 2019 NNN conference, hosted in Liverpool, UK, we look forward to celebrating ten years of collaboration and partnership that have contributed to the many successes over the past decade as well as continuing to share experiences through an exciting and diverse programme. The 2019 NNN conference provides a platform to develop and improve strategies for cross-cutting approaches to NTD work and in turn support the strengthening of national health systems. It is also an opportunity to expand cross-sectoral partnerships and align national priorities into the development and delivery of a new WHO NTD Roadmap 2021 – 2030 that will support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.