CoMO is pleased to share an exciting development that looks set to be the start of a new chapter in the organisation’s history.
CoMO and Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF) are currently in discussions about a merger, as a way to be more resilient and expand upon the organisations’ respective activities. With meningitis higher on the global agenda than ever before due to the World Health Assembly’s endorsement of the Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, this also feels like the perfect moment to strengthen collaborations and do all we can to move towards that goal. The rolling out of country plans will not be possible without CoMO members and other advocates worldwide and, with MRF being a key driver of the Road Map, we’re thrilled at the prospect of working more closely together towards a world free from meningitis.
While both CoMO and MRF undoubtedly have the same vision, we do engage in different activities and none of this is expected to change. CoMO will continue to serve our members and be committed to providing them with a vibrant network that both offers support and opportunity for change, via events like our Members’ Conferences (currently adapted to webinars) and campaigns like World Meningitis Day.
For those outside of CoMO and MRF, there will likely be no discernible change. Both CoMO and MRF have been sharing the same office since 2015 and have worked on multiple projects together. Instead, during a time that has been trying for many charities, the merger will help us keep our overhead costs low and facilitate information sharing between organisations, allowing both parties to work more efficiently.
With both MRF and CoMO boards seeing the rationale behind the merger, this week CoMO members voted in support of this change, so all that remain are the final decisions by the boards following this vote, with the hope of the merger taking place by the end of 2020.
This signifies a momentous occasion in CoMO’s history and we’ve come a long way since the photo below was taken! With 79 CoMO members worldwide and a lot of excitement around the Road Map, we look forward to a bright future in the landscape of meningitis prevention and advocacy.
The photo above was taken in 2004, during CoMO's first World Conference, a year after it was formally agreed that CoMO should form.
More updates will be provided as plans progress.
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