Advocacy
Protecting and advocating for the rights of people with MS is at the heart of our work
Last updated: 8th December 2022
Protecting and advocating for the rights of people with MS is at the heart of our work.
Our advocacy objectives are:
- Increased global awareness of MS amongst the public and policy makers
- Increased policy impact and opportunities for MS organisations through international epidemiological and socioeconomic comparative research and action
Our approach to advocacy has five components:
- We provide member organisations with research reports, films and other resources to advocate for changes that benefit people with MS in their country.
- We take part in advocacy initiatives as part of networks and collaborations such as the International Alliance of Patients’ Organisations and the International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group.
- We help raise awareness of MS to create an enabling environment for members’ advocacy and other work.
- We support advocacy through capacity building/training in development of emerging national organisations.
- Where and when appropriate, we work with or advocate to global and international, bilateral/multilateral bodies directly.
Our main campaigns and advocacy tools include:
- World MS Day
- Supporting the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
- The Atlas of MS
- Awards for International Person with MS (James D Wolfensohn Award) and International Caregiver of the Year (Evelyn Nicholson Award)
- Report on the Global Economic Impact of MS
- Resources to support advocacy on employment and MS