Empowering Youth Leadership in NCD Advocacy Across the Eastern Mediterranean Region
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death among young people aged 10–24 in many Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) countries, with 58.9% of adolescent disability attributed to NCDs.
In response to this growing burden, the Eastern Mediterranean NCD Alliance (EM‑NCDA) has established its Youth Network—a regional platform that recognizes young people as essential partners in shaping health policy, advocacy, and action across the region.
Launched in 2025 at the same time as the United Nations High‑Level Meeting on NCDs, the EM-NCDA Youth Network aims to bridge long‑standing gaps in youth representation by amplifying young voices from the EMR, leveraging youth‑led innovation, and promoting meaningful participation in regional and global decision-making processes in relation to NCDs.
Our Mission:
The EM‑NCDA Youth Network exists to elevate youth-led NCD advocacy, strengthen regional collaboration, and ensure young people are active contributors to the future of health in the EMR.
115+ young leaders
Representing
30+ countries
Objectives
- Facilitate Youth Participation: Ensure that youth voices inform national, regional, and global NCD strategies by integrating them into formal policy and advocacy spaces.
- Build a Network of Emerging Leaders: Connect passionate young leaders, practitioners, and students to collaborate, learn, and co-create innovative NCD solutions.
- Identify Youth Priorities: Generate youth-driven insights and evidence to shape policy, programs, and NCD research agendas across the EMR.
Key NCD Priorities Identified by Youth
- Accelerate prevention of NCD risk factors across the life‑course.
- Protect children and young people from harmful commercial marketing
- Scale youth‐led promotion of healthy nutrition and physical activity
- Expand community‑level NCD prevention and early detection through primary health care
- Advance integration of mental health within NCD responses
- Embed youth engagement within multisectoral NCD governance
Join the Network
Young people across the region are stepping up to lead change, and you can be part of this movement.
Who Can Join?
The Network welcomes young people (15–35) from across the EMR who are committed to advancing health and NCD advocacy, including:
- Youth advocates and members of health-related organizations
- Early‑career healthcare professionals
- Youth living with NCDs
- Medical, nursing, and public health students
- Young researchers and public health practitioners
- Young patient advocates living with NCDs
- Youth civil society leaders and grassroots activists
Whether you’re already engaged in NCD work or just starting your advocacy journey, this network is your space to learn, collaborate, and lead.
Testimonials from our Youth Leaders
