Results show that less than 10% of respondents have started making profound changes in transportation options; people in rural areas and older age groups are less interested in change; Over one-third of respondents believe that lawmakers and citizens have the biggest influence in driving change; YouGov survey results unveiled today during the second annual Freedom of Mobility Forum (FreedomofMobilityForum.org) in advance of a debate on how the planet will accommodate the mobility needs of eight billion people in the coming decades.

YouGov, in partnership with the Freedom of Mobility Forum, released exclusive results (https://apo-opa.co/4cYeqdV) of a new survey measuring the appetite for change in mobility habits for respondents across five countries.

The results were unveiled live during the second annual Freedom of Mobility Forum (https://apo-opa.co/4cmHjzN) and fueled the fact-based discussions with the international panel of experts and university students from three continents.

Key Takeaways:

1 in 4 global citizens are not ready to make eco-friendly transportation choices. This is particularly notable in the USA, where more than half the respondents in rural areas said they were not ready to change anything.

While 3 in 4 individuals are gearing up for greener options, less than 10% have already made profound changes, signaling that we are only just beginning to rev up for bigger changes ahead.

6 in 10 citizens are ready to ditch ‘driver only’ transportation, but the enthusiasm varies across the map, with India, Brazil, and Morocco leading the charge. That compares with 50% or less willingness in mature markets – a factor that drops to 28% in rural areas in the USA, where mass transit can be less available.

Who’s steering this green revolution? It’s perceived to be in the hands of lawmakers and citizens, with companies trailing, except in the USA.

Don’t overlook the power of young generations! 1 in 4 global citizens believe they hold the key to our green future, with a significant 40% in India believing they can spearhead change.

“Although the youth will likely be influential in driving change for greener transportation, their actions are not yet more tangible than the rest of the population,” said YouGov General Manager Alexandre Devineau. “Their choices – and the dynamic resulting from them – will have a strong influence on the transportation challenges that will have to be addressed worldwide.”

Methodology:

Survey run in January 2024 in five countries: Brazil, France, India, Morocco, United States
Based on three closed questions linked to the topic of the Freedom of Mobility Forum discussion
Reached 5,095 respondents (~1,000 per country, representative of the national population aged 18+)

Conceived by Stellantis as an open forum for the public to hear a broad range of perspectives as society faces the mobility challenges of the future, the Freedom of Mobility Forum’s second annual live debate (https://apo-opa.co/3HZJoUx) promises to bring diverse – and possibly controversial – opinions. Today’s event is facilitated by a neutral third-party and explores how planetary limits could reshape freedom of mobility from technology, business, and lifestyle perspectives.

To follow the live event or share on social media, please use the hashtags: #FreedomOfMobilityForum or #FreedomOfMobility

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Freedom of Mobility Forum.

Media Contact:
media_fom@freedomofmobilityforum.org

About YouGov:
YouGov is a global online research company, offering insight into what the world thinks. We speak daily to our panel of over 26 million members to understand their opinions and behaviors around the world. We have a strong reputation as a source of accurate data, and we’re trusted by the world’s biggest brands to get it right, making us the most quoted market research source in the world. YouGov grows daily, with over 40 million surveys every year and 20 years of history. We call it living data. For further information, visit yougov.com.

About the Freedom of Mobility Forum:
The Freedom of Mobility Forum, initiated by Stellantis and facilitated by a neutral third-party, is an international gathering of passionate problem-solvers committed to fact-based discussions that challenge the status quo, expand perspectives and identify how best to enable safe, affordable and sustainable freedom of mobility for a society facing the implications of global warming. For more information visit: FreedomofMobilityForum.org.

His Majesty King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulations to president of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

In this message, the Sovereign expressed, with all the Moroccan people, to Bassirou His warmest wishes for the happiness and prosperity of the Senegalese people.

His Majesty the King also expressed His high regard for the “centuries-old and deep” bonds of brotherhood between the Moroccan and Senegalese peoples, and for the “traditional and unique” friendship uniting the two countries, reiterating the particular importance He attaches to their continuation in all areas of mutual interest.

“I look forward to working with Your Excellency to consolidate Moroccan-Senegalese cooperation at both bilateral and regional levels, within the framework of a dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership for the youth of our two countries”, said His Majesty the King.

The Sovereign took this opportunity to reiterate His congratulations and best wishes for success in the high mission entrusted to Bassirou in the service of Senegal and its people.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

Not-for-profit organisations LifeArc and FIND (www.FINDdx.org) are today announcing a £6.2M project to improve diagnostic testing and treatment for visceral leishmaniasis in Kenya; A neglected tropical disease targeted by the World Health Organization for elimination by 2030, visceral leishmaniasis is the deadliest form of leishmaniasis, mainly affecting children and fatal in over 95% of cases if left untreated.

A new £6.2M healthcare project has begun in Kenya to advance elimination of visceral leishmaniasis, a deadly parasitic disease found in Africa, the Americas (particularly Brazil), the Middle East and South-East Asia, which affects up to 90,000 children and vulnerable people globally.

The self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation, LifeArc (https://apo-opa.co/3J9tlnL) has joined forces with FIND (www.FINDdx.org) to improve the detection and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis through a project called ‘Intensifying Visceral Leishmaniasis Diagnostic Efforts in Support of Disease Elimination in Kenya’.

The project will run from 2024 to 2027, supporting the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating visceral leishmaniasis by 2030 by focusing on early diagnosis and treatment to prevent disability and death. It will build on ongoing efforts to improve community awareness, boosting testing capacity both locally and nationally, and strengthening the capacity of the health system to ensure faster diagnosis and treatment. Crucially, the project will also accelerate development of novel tests for the disease, addressing the need for sensitive diagnostic procedures that can support more intense control measures.

There are three forms of leishmaniasis: visceral (affecting internal organs), cutaneous (affecting the skin) and mucocutaneous (affecting the mouth, nose and throat), all of which can cause serious disability. However, visceral leishmaniasis – sometimes known as kala-azar – is fatal in over 95% of cases if left untreated.

Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by parasites that are spread by sandflies. It can cause irregular bouts of fever, weight loss and enlargement of the spleen and liver. Symptoms can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases, such as chronic malaria. The disease is prevalent in areas with unsanitary housing conditions, which create ideal breeding sites for sandflies. Malnutrition also increases the risk that an infection will progress to the full disease, meaning that children and vulnerable adults living in some of the world’s poorest communities are most at risk.

Dr Mike Strange, Head of Global Health at LifeArc explains: “LifeArc is committed to progressing innovations in areas of unmet medical need, including neglected tropical diseases such as visceral leishmaniasis. Partnering with FIND to support the implementation of existing tools, as well as helping move forward new and improved diagnostic tests, represents a real opportunity to make a step-change and contribute towards eliminating this fatal disease in Kenya.”

Ms Helen Bokea, Director of Neglected Tropical Diseases at FIND, says: “FIND is committed to working with countries and communities to defeat this deadly disease, by boosting testing capacity so that infections can be identified early, and lives can be saved. The clock is ticking on the 2030 WHO elimination target, and this partnership with LifeArc will provide a major boost to help accelerate progress.”

The project is part of LifeArc’s Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Translational Challenge which aims to support the elimination and control of neglected tropical diseases through the translation, development and implementation of new diagnostics and therapeutics. FIND’s neglected tropical diseases programme is working to close multiple diagnostic gaps that are jeopardizing achievement of the targets set out in the WHO 2030 Roadmap (https://apo-opa.co/4cM1xU8).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of FIND.

For further press information please contact:
Hannah Severyn
Head of Media&PR, LifeArc
Hannah.severyn@lifearc.org

Sarah-Jane Loveday
Director of Communications, FIND
+41 79 431 62 44
media@finddx.org

About LifeArc:
LifeArc is a self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation and charity. We take science ideas out of the lab and help turn them into medical breakthroughs that can be life-changing for patients. We have been doing this for more than 25 years and our work has resulted in five licensed medicines, including cancer drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda®), lecanemab for Alzheimer’s (Leqembi), and a diagnostic for antibiotic resistance.

Our teams are experts in drug and diagnostics discovery, technology transfer, and intellectual property. Our work is in translational science – bridging the gap between academic research and clinical development, providing funding, research and expert knowledge, all with a clear and unwavering commitment to having a positive impact on patient lives.

LifeArc is a company limited by guarantee (registered in England and Wales under no. 2698321) and a charity (registered in England and Wales under no. 1015243 and in Scotland under no. SC037861).

Find out more about our work on www.LifeArc.org or follow us on LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/49oaAHR) or Twitter (https://apo-opa.co/4cYdp5B).

About FIND:
FIND accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with countries, WHO and other global health agencies, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage. We are a WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Strengthening and Diagnostic Technology Evaluation. For more information, please visit www.FINDdx.org.

The Vice President and Flagbearer of the NPP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has cut the sod for the construction of four-storey, 200-bed hostel facility for the Trinity Theological Seminary in Accra.

The multi-purpose hostel, which is being funded by the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFUND), is in fulfillment of a pledge Dr. Bawumia made to the Seminary, following a request by the College for assistance during its 2022 Congregation, which Dr. Bawumia graced.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony at the Seminary in Accra on Wednesday morning, Dr. Bawumia said, the construction marks an important milestone to ease the accommodation deficit of the school and also improve learning.

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that we gather here today for the sod-cutting ceremony, marking the commencement of  the construction of a 200-bed, four-storey hostel,” Dr. Bawumia said.

“The occasion symbolizes not just the beginning of a building project but also the dawn of a new chapter in the history of Trinity Theological Seminary. It is indeed an honour to join you all for this sod-cutting ceremony, which for me, is a very important milestone in addressing the accommodation deficit of the institution,”  he added.

The Trinity Theological Seminary, Dr. Bawumia stressed, is befitting of such a magnificent facility, even as a private institution, considering the role it plays in nurturing persons of good values.

“The Trinity Theological Seminary, as an institution that trains and instills Godly values, the construction of this hostel will not only provide the much-needed accommodation for the students, but will also serve as a hub for more learning and growth. It will be a space where students from diverse backgrounds come together to exchange ideas,” he said.

Dr. Bawumia also acknowledged the immense contributions of Churches and other faith-based groups to the development of Ghana, especially in the areas of education and healthcare, adding that such collaborations and support by government, complement their efforts.

“Where would Ghana be today, without all the schools and hospitals churches and other faith-based groups have built in the country?,” he asked.

Dr. Bawumia also expressed gratitude to a number of people who have contributed to making the commencement of the project possible, including the management of

Trinity Theological Seminary, the Honourable Minister for Education, the Board of Trustees and Management of the GETFUND, as well as the Board and Management of GTEC.

Facilities for the hostel will include accommodation, study area, sports Centre, kitchenette, among others.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.