Participation Principles

May 22, 2016 / Comments Off on Participation Principles

World Eating Disorders Action Day is a grassroots movement designed for and by people with lived experience of an eating disorder, their families and the health professionals who support them. Uniting activists across the globe, the aim is to expand global awareness of eating disorders as genetically linked, treatable illnesses that can affect anyone.  World Eating Disorders Action Day takes place through online presence and live events in over 45 countries with 200 organizations.  

The MISSION of World Eating Disorders Action Day is to advance recognition of eating disorders as serious, treatable illnesses.

The VISION of World Eating Disorders Action Day is to unite eating disorder activists, professionals, and people whose lives are affected, to promote worldwide knowledge of eating disorders and recognition of the need for comprehensive treatment.

More than 200 organizations from over 45 countries and 1000s of activists are working together on social media – we use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Tic Tok, and Snapchat.  A Steering Committee comprising leadership from 15 global organizations with diverse representation is providing strategic guidance. The larger activist community is engaged in every step of developing messaging, materials, and outreach.

World Eating Disorders Action Day 2023
Theme: #RealPeopleRealRecovery

Eating disorders do not discriminate, affecting people of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic classes, ages, body types, and backgrounds! Most eating disorders sufferers do not receive evidence-based treatment, and this is especially true for minority communities. #RealPeopleRealRecovery espouses improving access to high quality treatment for all, particularly those who are far too often sidelined.

The KEY ACTIVITIES of World Eating Disorders Action Day 2023 include:

  • Use of social media to engage affected people, families, professionals, researchers, policy makers, and care givers around the world on social media, with particular attention to underserved groups and geographies;
  • Goal to make us TREND widely on social media and share information from the worldeatingdisordersday.org website;
  • Hosting and promoting LIVE events and online #RealPeopleRealRecovery events.
  • Outreach to professional, medical, education associations, policy makers, and health authorities.
  • Promoting the World Eating Disorders Healthcare Rights developed by the Experts by Experience Committee of the Academy for Eating Disorders.
  • Promoting personal action to share materials from the website to your friends, colleagues, professionals, and policy makers and sharing this on social media. Underscore the theme that: “We Can’t Afford To Wait” to effectively respond to and treat eating disorders now. 
  • Adoption of the NINE Truths about Eating Disorders and sharing the truths widely.
  • Presentation of the NINE GOALS to governments and policy makers using social media.
  • Continued request that the World Health Organization formally recognize June 2 as World Eating Disorders Day!

WHAT YOUR PARTICIPATION MEANS:

  1. Ensure correct information about eating disorders is shared through social media and other sources;
  2. Share and employ the NINE TRUTHS;
  3. Share the new World Eating Disorder Health Care Rights to your doctor, schools, friends, and policy makers;
  4. Advocate for evidence based treatment and services for eating disorders globally;
  5. Support principles of diversity and inclusivity and spread the message that eating disorders do not discriminate;
  6. Ensure that underserved populations and marginalized groups are included and uplifted in advocacy efforts;
  7. Support and promote the NINE GOALS to change how eating disorders are addressed at a national level and advocate assertively for the adoption by World Health Organisation and national authorities. Tell them here (WHO).

EASY WAYS to play a part:

  • FOLLOW us on Twitter; LIKE the World Eating Disorders Action Day Facebook Page; Instagram; FOLLOW us on Tumblr and Snapchat, and Tic Tok.
  • TAKE THE PLEDGE at http://www.worldeatingdisordersday.org;
  • RETWEET @WorldEdDay Twitter posts, use the #RealPeopleRealRecovery hashtag now, and on JUNE 2 use the #WorldEDday2023 and #WeDoAct20213 hashtags.
  • VIEW our Tumblr page for inspiration and hope
  • SHARE WorldEDDay posts, Press Releases, and key documents via your own channels;
  • READ and SHARE our blogposts by leading thinkers and everyday people;
  • TALK ABOUT EATING DISORDERS with friends, family, and colleagues.

EVEN MORE

Develop your own country/local plan for publicizing World Eating Disorders Action Day via virtual and live events such as:

  • Outreach to media, celebrities, universities/training institutions, professional associations, eating disorder non profits, policy makers, political leaders in your country, etc. using Talking Points/Press Releases from the World Eating Disorders Website. 
  • Art Installations; Music Fests;  Press Conferences;  Presentations using World Eating Disorders Action Day logos, materials and messaging; Radio and TV shows;  Seminars;  Trainings; etc.
  • Carry out your own local advocacy for change!

What Else?

We ask that you commit to the principles described in this document and that your use of the World Eating Disorders Day logos and materials imply acceptance. We will feature your organization in the list of Participating Organizations available on the website and social media and offer you space to share your thoughts on the blog.

We began World ED Day as a small group of activists wanting to improve global understanding of Eating Disorders and to unite activists globally. Of late, many for profit centers and providers have requested to join us. This is fabulous and also required us to develop a disclaimer for recognizing for profit groups on the website. THANK YOU for your understanding.

World Eating Disorders Action Day recognizes the interest and desire of for profit treatment centers, clinicians, and programs to support affected people in our efforts for advocacy and policy change. All groups wishing to engage have acknowledged alignment with the Key Messages for June 2. At the same time, the Steering Committee of World Eating Disorders Action Day does not recommend or endorse a particular center, provider, or system. Being listed on the World Eating Disorders Action Day website or following and supporting on social media is in NO WAY an endorsement of the provider. Persons and families in need of treatment services should do research to determine the appropriate provider and approach; we strongly recommend consulting peer reviewed literature, looking at outcomes data, and seeking client recommendations.

THANK YOU!

 

Contact worldeatingdisorderday@gmail.com to be a Participating Organization with the following information:

– Name of your organization

– Name of contact person and contact information

– Your website link

– Agreement to the Participation Principles

The World Eating Disorders Action Day Steering Committee is comprised of a selected number of the Participating Organizations that meet to discuss matters including each year’s theme, participation principles, and participating organizations.