Dianova International and the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention Join Forces

The newly signed agreement prepares the ground for funding and capacity building collaborations involving the Dianova network and its members

Addiction prevention

The Members of the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention work voluntarily to bring about awareness about addictions in our society and strive to bring about behavioural change in the society, reduce the percentage of addictions and facilitate the treatment and rehabilitation – Image: Shutterstock

PRESS RELEASE

Castelldefels, 03 December 2020 – Dianova International is pleased to announce its strategic partnership with the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention (RAG-AP), which will pave the way to stronger collaborations in the field of addiction prevention with Rotary Clubs around the world.

Dianova International and the RAG-AP met in Vienna (Austria) at the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs, in March 2020. Both organizations have since been engaged in a dialogue that led to the signing of a cooperation agreement last month.

“This collaboration is a unique opportunity for the Dianova network”, commented Montse Rafel, Dianova International Director General. “Teaming up with the RAG-AP will allow our members to benefit from their scientific expertise, experience, and direct link with Rotary partners across the globe”.

The Rotary Action Group was founded in 2013 and recognized by Rotary International in 2016. Currently, it is now active in 42 countries and 45 Rotary Districts around the world. The RAG-AP views substance abuse and addiction to illicit drugs as a global problem, and therefore informs, engages, supports and advises Rotary clubs and districts on how to address the issue through a structured and long-term approach.

RAG AP logo

RAG-AP subject-matter experts not only endeavour to foster research and exchanges on this topic, they connect with professional NGOs implementing evidence-based prevention programmes locally. These sponsorship projects primarily target children between 3 to 6 and 6 to 12 years of age.

“We are certainly looking forward to kick-start our cooperation with the members of the Dianova network in order to engage not only Rotary Clubs and Districts in the countries where the network is active, but also all other relevant stakeholders whose joint action is paramount to tackling substance abuse”, mentioned Johan Maertens, RAG-AP founder.

The partnership between Dianova International and RAG-AP is timely and more relevant than ever. While the ongoing pandemic has pushed more households into poverty, children’s lives have changed, in most cases worsened, all over the word. If the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their mental health has yet to be fully assessed, their daily struggles are right before our eyes.

A number of the Dianova network member organizations develop prevention activities with children and youth, including the Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation (KKAWF) in Pakistan, the Slum Child Foundation in Kenya, and Dianova in Italy and Portugal, among others. As a result of the lockdown measures, they all had to change the way they work to meet these new circumstances and needs.

The agreement’s special focus on evidence-based programming could help foster innovative approaches, thus opening new avenues for funding and capacity building.