#Japan #Tokyo #NTD Contest #NTDs Youth #Neglected Disease

Celebrating Young Innovators

The 2nd Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) Contest, organized by NTDs Youth with support from various ministries including the Foreign Affairs and Health, saw its winners announced recently. With NTDs impacting over 1.6 billion people globally, this contest aimed to raise awareness and encourage proactive thinking among youth about these diseases.

Contest Overview

Launched in conjunction with World NTD Day on January 30, the contest was open to students ranging from middle school to graduate level. Participants could join as individuals or in teams of up to four. The contest featured two main categories: A category, focusing on conveying the message about NTDs effectively, and B category, which asked participants to propose feasible actions Japan could take to combat NTDs.

The contest received a significant response, gathering 24 teams from 33 participants for category A and 11 teams from 23 participants for category B. High school teams constituted the majority of the entries, with many being first-time discoverers of NTDs through this initiative.

Results of the Contest

Following a thorough selection process, six teams from each category were invited to the final selection round. Utilizing social media platforms for preliminary judgments, the NTDs Youth's official Instagram and YouTube channels showcased the final entries, witnessing a total of 7,346 views and a reach of 2,470 accounts over a 13-day review period. This online engagement was crucial in spreading awareness about NTDs within the community.

Final Selection and Awards Ceremony

The final judgment occurred on January 11, 2025, in a conference room in Tokyo's Minato ward. The final jury consisted of experts from various sectors including industry, academia, and civil society. Subsequently, the award-winning teams were honored during an online ceremony on World NTD Day, January 30, 2025.

Many participants expressed how the contest inspired them, igniting a desire to engage more with social issues and raising their awareness about NTDs. Such insights underline the potential impact of educational initiatives like this contest on youth behavior and engagement.

Notable Winners

The top awards were given to:

• - A category Best Prize/U-18 Special Prize: Team Japan Stabilizing Landmass Association for their creation titled, “NTDs - Are You 'Common Sense'?”
• - B category Best Prize: Team Tottori University Tropical Medicine Research Association won with their work, “Lessons Learned from My Hometown: Eradicating Japanese Schistosomiasis and Challenges in the Philippines.”
• - The B category U-18 Special Prize went to Team MYST for “The Real Enemy of Hansen's Disease.”
• - The GHIT Prize was awarded to Team Shucrepells with their project titled, “What are NTDs - Things We High School Students Can Do.”
• - Lastly, the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Prize was clinched by Team Ruruko for their work, “Neglection Toward Distance.”

Moving Forward

The 2nd Neglected Tropical Disease Contest not only celebrated the creativity and dedication of young individuals but also highlighted the urgent need to tackle health issues affecting billions. NTDs Youth aims to communicate the significance of addressing NTD preventive measures and increase public engagement. Collaborating with various organizations, they aspire to push forward initiatives tackling NTDs both domestically and internationally.

The competition has successfully become a platform not just for learning but for sparking change within the younger generations. Acknowledging that Neglected Tropical Diseases are manageable with proper healthcare systems and community engagement, the ongoing effort is crucial in bringing attention to these critical health challenges.