Newsletter of the International Center for Environment, Development and Operational Research Public awareness

At the basis of democratic governance is that of public awareness because democracy is about governance by the people. How can an unaware public be the leading of edge of change? How can we be the communitywatch that we want to be without knowing the ways of those we select to be our stewards in this journey of democracy? The answer lies in establishing a polity that are knowledgeable and wise to the needs of our societies, how those needs are nurtured by a value-based process of governance, and what are the structures that are needed to keep mischief at bay. At long last, it is this aware public to the norms and values of democracy not controls by gates and guns -- that can sustain a democratic community. ENDEVOR attempts to make that awareness possible. Whether it be in writing, organized reach-outs, informal chats, or grassroots advocacy with people on the street, are all means of reaching the myriads that make our community. We hope you will all join in! Abdul Sattar Yoosuf (Editor)

Number 4

April, 2013

On 14 April ENDEVOR Director had the opportunity to address the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Male. In a two hour chat with the students and teachers of the Faculty, he highlighted on the history of health services development in Maldives from the happenings of over six decades past. He related the gradual progress of public health with only CHWs as the care givers in the remote islands to the modern day transition to hospital services and the increasing demands of medical care. However, he pointed out that the need for prevention remains paramount and in this new epidemiological transition to noncommunicable diseases, the challenge of prevention must be kept as priority, for disease prevention is still more efficient than addressing the disease onset. He emphasized that we can save the nation a sizable windfall by a preventive priority. But the challenge for the new public health leaders will be the effort of convincing political leaders that such is the priority. On 23 March, ENDEVOR took part in the South Asian Initiative on Violence against Children (SAIVAC)

workshop that was held on Maafushi Island in Kaaf Atoll. ENDEVOR in its keynote address focussed on the need for a value based education in our schools, for preventing child related violence in our society. On 267 April, ENDEVOR Director was chief guest at the 13th Anniversary night of the Diabetes Society of Maldives. While applauding this initiative of now over a decade, ENDEVORs message was on prevention. NCDs are indeed emerging as our new epidemic in a world of modernization and materialism. Being vigilant to our lifestyle and social behaviour can save us easily. But the pervasive enticement of the new culture needs to be understood, and attempts to overcome resilient.