Five prominent Australian's are lending their voice in support of World Polio Day and a world free from this debilitating disease, including:

· Akram Azimi, Young Australian of the Year 2013

· Ian Riesley, President-nominee of Rotary International 2016-17

· Naela Chohan, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Australia

· David Hack, Young Adult Pastor Riverview Church

· The Hon Dr. Sharman Stone, Chair of the Australian Paliamentary Group on Population & Federal Member for Murray

Historically, it was an Australian who helped launch the global eradicatin effort. In 1979, then President of Rotary International Sir Clem Renouf pushed polio into the spotlight. 

His efforts launched a wave of political will and increased funding that delivered incredible results. Today, the world is now 99.9% polio free. 

There are only two countries left - Pakistan and Afghanistan - where new cases of polio remain regularly found.

But, this monumental progress can’t be taken for granted. Governments around the world are tightening their budgets and polio funding is under threat.

To mark World Polio Day, join the global community in calling on Commonwealth Leaders to commit to ending polio for good when they gather in Malta in November.  

This article was written by Liesel Maddock

Editorial

Defeat Poverty

Australian community leaders rally around World Polio Day