“The role of alcohol as an obstacle to development in the global South has been given increased attention in the GAPC conferences over the years. This trend was reconfirmed in this year’s conference, something that we as a development NGO warmly welcome”, comments FORUT.

Handing over of the GAPC flag from the Australian co-hosts to the next host country Sri Lanka marked the official closing of the Global Alcohol Policy Conference in Melbourne Friday. 331 delegates from 40 countries attended this year’s GAPC.

A tune played on a didgeridoo welcomed the around 300 participants to the Global Alcohol Policy Conference 2017 in Melbourne and to the land of the Wurindjeri people of the Kulin Nation. After this traditional opening the conference dived directly into the question of how alcohol harm can be reduced through advocacy and policy interventions.

More than 30 NGO experts from all corners of the world met Tuesday in Melbourne, Australia to discuss alcohol use as an obstacle to development, and in particular how alcohol impedes on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“With timely and right interventions children can be helped out of their drug problems. This requires broader interventions than only service delivery or education”, said CWIN representative Rashmila Shakya to the Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna today. She recommended participatory methods to empower children.

The South African beer company SAB planned to sell more beer by granting parts of the profits to the fight against hunger in Africa. “A good idea to support the work against hunger, but a bad idea to raise the money through increased alcohol consumption”, responded civil society organisations. Also this time Goliath was beaten by David. SAB has pulled back.