We, the Board of Directors of the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety (the Alliance), express our profound appreciation to Hasselt University for conferring an honorary doctorate upon our Executive Director, Lotte Brondum, and by extension, the entire network of NGOs that make up the Alliance. This honor signifies the collective efforts of our extensive network of over 400 member NGOs across more than 105 countries, all committed to advancing road safety, road victim support, and safe mobility.
Over the years, the Alliance has played a central role in mobilizing NGOs around a shared vision of a world where every person has access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable mobility using the road systems, where no one dies or is seriously injured as a result of a road crash. The Alliance has grown in membership, expanded its global footprint, and strengthened its collective voice. It has championed joint advocacy campaigns, enabled strategic partnerships, and created platforms for NGOs to showcase the lived realities of unsafe mobility. We respond to local needs and contexts, building strategic partnerships to bring local NGO perspectives to the global arena and put people at the heart of road safety decision-making.
NGOs play a pivotal role in road safety advocacy and accountability and must be involved in decision-making processes. Operating at the grassroots level, they advocate for the implementation of evidence-based interventions and transparent and accountable investments to make mobility safe. They engage communities, influence policy for safe roads, and stand up for the rights of road users and road victims. They remind decision makers that behind every road fatality statistic is a name and a face, support those whose lives have been shattered by a crash, and hold governments accountable to prevent anyone else suffering loss of life or health on our roads. Their work is instrumental in addressing the global road safety crisis, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where the burden is heaviest.
Our member NGOs have been at the forefront of demonstrating the impact of local evidence in driving change. The Mobility Snapshots initiative exemplifies this approach. By collecting and analyzing data at specific intersections within their communities, NGOs have identified critical safety issues for those who walk and cycle and advocated for Priority Interventions. These Snapshots have not only informed local action but have also contributed to a broader understanding of road safety challenges and solutions.
Collaboration between academia and NGOs is essential in enhancing road safety outcomes. Hasselt University has been a valuable partner in this endeavor. Through joint initiatives like the Safe System Approach short course, developed in collaboration with the Alliance, the university has provided our members with access to cutting-edge research and practical tools. This partnership has strengthened the capacity of NGOs to support the implementation of effective road safety strategies and has fostered a community of practice dedicated to continuous learning and improvement.
The honorary doctorate awarded to our Executive Director symbolizes the collective achievements of our entire network. It acknowledges the strong network and dedication of our member NGOs, the collaborative spirit of our partners, and the shared commitment to making roads safe for all. We accept this honor with humility and as a reaffirmation of our mission to advocate for effective actions and strengthen accountability for safe mobility, using the road system, and support NGOs for the same, thus accelerating implementation that results in the reduction of road crash victims.
