The Blue Circle Voices (BCV) is an IDF initiative, launched in 2016, that aims to represent the interests of people living with, or affected by, diabetes, through a worldwide network of members and other stakeholders.

The BCV network draws upon the experiences of people with diabetes, acts as their global voice and provides them with an opportunity for expression. This network focuses on a variety of issues and challenges that people with diabetes encounter in our world today.

Seeking to understand and clarify challenges within diabetes communities, BCV consultations will result in the development of strategies aimed at improving diabetes prevention, care and management. The network also strengthens IDF’s presence in global fora and brings both heightened awareness and credibility to diabetes prevention, care, access and rights issues.

Composed of adults living with diabetes of all ages and from all IDF regions, BCV accommodates representation from the following groups:

• People with type 1 diabetes
• People with type 2 diabetes
• People with less common types of diabetes
• Women with a history of gestational diabetes
• People connected to diabetes through the care of a child, close relative or loved one with diabetes

Below you can find an infographic with the main stastistics of the network - which currently comprises 136 members.

BCV - Raising the voice of people with diabetes

The 24th edition of the IDF Congress was held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, on 4-8 December 2017. Some of the Blue Circle Voices' members had the opportunity to participate as speakers during one the many conferences: Riva Greenberg (USA), Gopika Krishnan (India), Phylissa Derose (United Arab Emirates) and Rakiya Kilgori (Nigeria).

The BCV's views of their network (2018)

Between February 14 to March 5, 2018, IDF launched a consultation with its members to better understand BCVs’ opinion of the network, the activities developed so far and their expectations for the future. Some 56 people BCVs participated in this consultation. 

Learn more about the outcomes of the survey, in English, Spanish and French.