The week of May 17, 2004, marked the anniversary of the global tobacco treaty's adoption. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the world used the week to build support for the treaty's swift implementation by holding press conferences, marches, rallies and televised screenings of the film Overcoming the Odds: A Story of the First Global Health and Corporate Accountability Treaty.
The 2004 International Week of Resistance was a global effort. People participated in Algeria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Georgia, Ghana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Moldova, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad, Uganda, Uruguay, Vietnam and Zambia. Here are some of the activities that took place in three of these countries:
Nigeria:
Organizations in Nigeria held a press briefing and a rally calling on the government to ratify the FCTC. The press conference included a screening of Overcoming the Odds that 24 journalists attended. At the same time, over 100 youths wearing t-shirts proclaiming "Ratify the FCTC Now!" joined other activists for a rally and parade. A petition was delivered to the Health Ministry urging ratification of the treaty. Participating organizations included Environmental Rights Action, Educare Trust, Ibadan, Journalist Action on Tobacco and Health, People Against Drug Dependence and Ignorance, Youth Against Tobacco, and Akure.
India:
Allies throughout India, including ASHA for Education, pressed their government to implement the global tobacco treaty. Activists met with decision-makers, circulated petitions, held demonstrations and showed the films, Overcoming the Odds and Making A Killing. India ratified the treaty in February 2004.
Ghana:
Organizations including Action for Integrated Development and Ghana Health Services urged the government to ratify the global tobacco treaty. The group held a workshop and press conference with NGOs to expose tobacco industry attempts to derail the treaty. Overcoming the Odds was shown. The treaty has since been approved by Ghana's parliament.
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