Planning an event
Events marking the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week will take place at local, national, regional and global levels. It is widely recognized, however, that events that are hosted at local and national levels are most likely to have the greatest impact on moving the road safety agenda forward.
National and local events
What are the first steps in planning an event?
The preparation for national events may be led by the government’s officially nominated focal person for the Week. The focal person should work with others as part of a committee representing all relevant sectors, that provides overall strategic guidance and direction for the Week. The committee should collaborate with other partners to determine the country’s objectives for the Week, identify the activities most suitable to achieve these objectives, and ensure that what is being proposed is relevant to policymakers, the media and young people.
Who should be involved?
The following groups of people may be considered for involvement in the Week’s activities: government officials, in particular ministers of health, transport and education and their staff; representatives of nongovernmental organizations; road safety professionals; health care providers; representatives of automobile associations; educators; students; insurers; vehicle manufacturers; the media; and victims of road traffic crashes and their families. The participation of well-known personalities can help draw attention to events and to the issue of road safety in general. Such personalities may be from the arts, sciences, politics, fashion, sports, business and academia, as well as victims of road traffic crashes and their families, who may be willing to share their stories and experiences.
What activities will be conducted at national and local levels?
National and local events may range from high-level policy discussions to national youth assemblies or ceremonies dedicated to victims and survivors of road traffic injuries. The following list provides some ideas and suggestions for events.
By policy-makers:
- high-level policy discussions, conferences or seminars, bringing together the main groups and individuals concerned, to define or redefine a country’s approach toroad safety;
- the announcement of new road safety targets;
- the launch of new national strategies or plans of action;
- the enactment and enforcement of new legislation;
- the release of new research on specific aspects of road safety;
- signing of charters;
- the creation or announcement of new funds to support proven and promising road safety initiatives.
With young people:
- a national youth assembly, modelled on the World Youth Assembly for Road Safety;
- campaigns to prevent drink–driving;
- programmes to distribute helmets;
- school-based initiatives, including reviews and improvements of the environment for road safety around schools and demonstrations of safe journeys to and from school;
- training sessions at children’s traffic parks;
- photo, painting, essay or other types of competitions;
- the release of a new cartoon for children and young adults;
- the launch of an interactive web site.
For victims and survivors:
- ceremonies dedicated to victims and survivors, such as moments of observed silence and candlelight vigils;
- the inauguration of memorials to victims and survivors, such as remembrance gardens and Internet-based memorials;
- the announcement of events for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, held each year on the third Sunday of November.
With the media:
- press conferences;
- radio or television talk-shows;
- open letters in the printed media;
- special newspaper supplements;
- televised debates;
- other efforts attracting the media to new road safety data, reports and initiatives.
For the public at large:
- campaigns to promote the use of helmets, seat-belts and other restraints and to prevent drink–driving and speeding – particularly campaigns held in conjunction with the enactment and enforcement of new legislation;
- the dissemination of information materials related to such campaigns;
- publicity around the placement of new road signs and signals;
- open days in hospital emergency rooms;
- quiz to test road safety knowledge;
- street demonstrations, fairs, walks or similar events;
- the release of a commemorative postage stamp;
- first-aid demonstrations;
- charity sports events;
- benefit concerts.
Variations on some of the activities listed above were organized during previous Road Safety Weeks and on World Health Day 2004 and descriptions of some of these are compiled in this document:
Who should be informed about plans for events?
In order for better coordination, national and local organizations planning to host events to mark the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week are encouraged to collaborate with the United Nations Regional Commissions and WHO regional and country offices. It will also be useful to complete this form:
This way, descriptions of events, including detailed contact information for the organizers, can be added to the listing of activities around the world. The listing will be made available on this web site.
Regional events
What activities will be conducted at regional level?
The United Nations Regional Commissions, WHO regional offices and other regional bodies are working together to plan and host regional events for the Week. These groups should consider completing this form:
This way, descriptions of the events may also be reflected on the Week’s official global web site, along with those for the national and local events.
Global events
What activities will be conducted at global level?
Two major global events for the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week will be hosted at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland:
Additional global events currently being considered include a ceremony to commemorate victims of road traffic injuries, a short-film and a drawing competition and a campaign for improving road safety around schools.
Who is coordinating preparations of the global events?
Through United Nations General Assembly resolution A/60/5, WHO and the United Nations Regional Commissions have the task of organizing the First United Nations Global Road Safety Week, with support and guidance from a Global Organizing Committee. The UN Regional Commissions include: the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); the Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC); the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP); and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA).
The Global Organizing Committee, co-chaired by WHO and UNECE, includes representation from the Association for Safe International Road Travel; the European Federation of Road Traffic Victims; the FIA Foundation for the Automobile and Society; the Global Road Safety Partnership; the Government of Switzerland; La Prévention Routière Internationale; the Task Force for Child Survival and Development; and the World Bank. Its tasks are to plan the global events, develop the global advocacy materials, encourage and lend support to regional and national events, and ensure coordination across all levels. Five Regional Organizing Committees have been established to plan regional events and facilitate preparations for national events.