The “II Continental Workshop on the Advances of Club 25” was held in Panama City, on December 4 and 5, with the support of the Finnish Red Cross. The objectives of the workshop were to:
- Launch the continental campaign “New Blood for the World”;
- Give the opportunity to Red Crossl Societies currently using the methodology to exchange experiences and lessons learned;
- Validate the Manual and Monitoring and Evaluation tool, and;
- Establish the Implementation Plan 2008-2009.
The workshop opened with a ceremony of regional importance: the official launching (press conference) of the continental campaign “New Blood for the World”.
McCann Erickson, the advertising agency that developed the campaign used this opportunity to reiterate its commitment and support to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ efforts in voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.
The Red Cross Societies of Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St Lucia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Paraguay are currently implementing the methodology of Club 25 and had the opportunity to share lessons learned, experiences and sustainability processes implemented.
The Finnish Red Cross confirmed its interest in Club 25, showing strong links with its external aid policy.
To conclude the first day of the workshop, it was highlighted that Club 25, as an integral programme, must take into consideration the following three components: youth, health and communication.
During the second day, working groups (divided by region: Central America, South America and the Caribbean) validated the manual “How to initiate a Club 25” and the Monitoring and Evaluation tool. Suggestions will be included in the final version.
The promotional material (MTV video, banners, posters, and other incentives) were distributed to Red Cross Societies.
The importance of using the official logo “Club 25” in all activities or materials was stressed to all Red Cross Societies because it gives a “continental character” to the campaign.
Implementation plans for 2008 – 2009 were presented after the second working group session.
Plans will have to be further completed by each Red Cross Societies. Participants concluded the workshop by validating the importance of exchanging experiences between countries and regions, and giving positive feedback of the mass media campaign which was launched.
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