In Canada, we have a lot going on for FASD Awareness Month in September, with celebrations mostly centered around FASD Day on September 9! Today we want to highlight some of the activities happening internationally that bring awareness and attention to FASD in other countries! 

FASD Hub Scotland, Scotland 

As we step into International FASD Month this September 2024, the team at FASD Hub Scotland are brimming with excitement and pride as they celebrate a major milestone—their five-year anniversary! Over the past five years, they’ve been dedicated to supporting families and individuals affected by FASD and have lots of events planned to mark this special occasion.  

Their FASD Month events include a webinar on September 5th titled “Essential FASD Supports”, which is excellent opportunity to gain practical insights and strategies for supporting individuals with FASD. They are also launching a new training course called “FASD: The Teenage Years” to support parents and caregivers as they navigate this crucial stage of development.  

The FASD Hub is planning a one-day conference in Edinburgh on November 6th to celebrate their anniversary. The event promises to be both informative and inspiring. It features an impressive lineup of speakers and will offer a mix of main platform speakers and interactive workshops. 

The team at the FASD Hub says, “As we celebrate FASD Month 2024 and our five-year anniversary, we invite you to stay connected with us through our events, webinars, and training sessions. Together, let’s continue to build a strong, supportive community—because when it comes to FASD, we are truly stronger together.” 

Fundacion Visual TEAF, Spain  

In terms of awareness efforts, the landmark light up continues in Europe, with Spain lighting up some of their buildings in a “water green” colour. In Spain, red has political connotations, so they use a softer blue-green colour to bring awareness to FASD instead! Visual TEAF, a national group addressing FASD, have also launched an awareness campaign in their country.  

In other exciting news, the 7th European FASD Conference is being held in Madrid, Spain this September. Many European organizations are gearing up for this event. Our very own Executive Director, Audrey McFarlane, will be attending to showcase some of the research on FASD that is being done in Canada.  

The conference has some big names attached to it. Her Majesty the Queen Letizia of Spain is acting as the Honorary President at the event.  

Foundation for Alcohol Related Research (FARR), South Africa 

Every year for FASD Month, FARR emphasizes community events at their 13 project sites, which are located in 4 of the 9 provinces in South Africa (Free State, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape Provinces). The staff working in these project centres arrange community awareness events to get as many leaders, government officials, religious leaders, local businesses and community members as possible involved. Events include  

• Awareness walks through central business areas and residential areas;  
• FASD ringing of the bell ceremonies; 
• Involvement of secondary schools by means of discussions before 9 September and then art or drama “competitions”; 
• Alcohol Harm Reduction Seminars with professional service providers;  
• Distribution of FASD knots and FASD buttons.   

To get the message further, FARR partners with three national newspapers to publish articles on FASD on September 9. They usually participate in 30-40 radio interviews about FASD on district and national radio stations.  

Africa FASD Network, Africa 

Established in 2023, the Africa FASD Network consists of a Chairperson from South Africa, a Vice-Chairperson from Réunion Island, and a steering committee made up of medical professionals from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Mali. Their focus this month is to raise awareness of FASD amongst medical practitioners, especially obstetricians, paediatricians and the nursing staff. 

FASD Care Action Network (FASD-CAN), New Zealand 

Aotearoa (New Zealand) has a FASD Action Plan that is being revitalised this year by the new Government Health Minister – this FASD Action Plan is the type of coordinated federal response to FASD that we hope to see in Canada if Bill S-253 for National FASD Framework is passed.    

As part of this revitalization, on September 9th they will have an online panel discussion with leaders in the sector, opened by their Health Minister, discuss future planning for FASD. They will also hear from community members about what they ‘hope’ for in the FASD space in Aotearoa in the future.       

Many of FASD-CAN’s ‘Champions’ across education, health, and justice have organised special things within their circle of influence. For example, FASD-CAN collaborated with a champion within the national police force to launch an online 3-minute learning opportunity for all police officers across Aotearoa to kickstart their journey into understanding more about FASD.      

The light up red movement is spreading to New Zealand as well! The list of regional places committing to lighting up ‘red’ for FASD is growing.   

NOFASD Australia, Australia 

Australia is buzzing with events and activities to celebrate FASD Month. The National Organisation for FASD in Australia has a list of events happening throughout the country on their website. Community members are welcome to submit their own events to be added to their website. These events include things like 

• Morning tea to gather community members together and learn about FASD;  
• FASD training opportunities;  
• A red shoes rock art exhibit;  
• A parliamentary event where speakers with lived experience present at parliament house;  
• And more!  

Australia is joining in on the landmark light up and will be illuminating various cities across Australia red for FASD Month. In 2023, over 50 locations in Australia participated. This year NOFASD already have 52 places on their list.