We are honoured to share Mr. Jessurun's ability and dedication with the world federation of Alzheimer organizations in their effort to make Dementia worldwide a public health priority.
From the description of his new role as ADI representative for the PAHO-region we have gathered that drs Raymond Jessurun will represent ADI at key meetings and conferences in the Americas region, including the annual meeting of PAHO. He will assist with the preparation of statements to be delivered at the above meetings, based on the messages agreed by the ADI Advocacy Working Group. In regular communication with ADI's Executive Director he will assist with coordinating ADI's representation at these meetings and the work on activities in the region. Furthermore he will have to report on the above activities to the ADI Advocacy Working Group and offer advice on policy and activity relating to the region, if necessary by participating in teleconferences or meetings.
The appointment of Drs. Jessurun was based upon the following considerations: his ability to represent ADI effectively to a variety of audiences including the media, public platforms, ADI members and potential members. His ability to command respect and confidence of senior officers in the professional and political world, (drs. Jessurun has developed this ability being a senior policy adviser for public sector and private sector organizations for over 36 years now).
His knowledge and understanding of the issues concerning older people and dementia throughout the Americas region was also a consideration for his appointment (acquired as board member of seniors organizations in the Dutch Caribbean and of the Latin American and Caribbean Confederation of Retirees, Pensioners and Older Persons and as human rights defender and as PAHO-human rights consultant).
Last but not least his knowledge and understanding of ADI's aims and objectives, of which organization has benefitted over the last two years, as he has worked tirelessly to get our Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation accepted as a member of ADI in March 2012. With the Board members of SMAF he has contributed to the realization of the visit of the ADI chairman Dr Jacob Roy Kuriakose and in co-organizing the St. Maarten Dementia Conference on August 13. He spearheaded the historic signing of the Caribbean Dementia Awareness and Advocacy Alliance between ADI-chairman and the district governors of Rotary International and Lions International, and with the Indian Merchants Association president.
Drs Jessurun has started the preparations together with ADI's policy advisor who is living in the USA to attend the upcoming WHO-/PAHO Sanitary Conference which will take place in the PAHO Headquarters in Washington, D.C from Sept 17-21, 2012, where all Ministers of Public Health from the continent are expected to attend in preparation of the World Health Assembly for May 2013.
ADI's main objective is to get the World Health Organization to pass a resolution to make Dementia a public Health priority just as has been done for HIV/AIDS. Therefore Governments of the world has to make Dementia a public Health priority to support such a resolution. Drs Jessurun has presented in the St. Maarten Alzheimer Dementia conference of August 13, a strategy proposal to make Dementia a public health priority in the region.
On behalf of the Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation we wish Drs Jessurun all the best with his new appointment and want to assure him together with all our stakeholders in Sint Maarten all the support needed to fulfil this new assignment.