UICC Connect: Transforming member engagement, interactions, support and innovation

Last year at the World Cancer Congress 2024 in Geneva, UICC opened UICC Connect to all of its members. UICC’s diverse membership base encompasses over 1,150 cancer societies, patient support groups, research and cancer centres, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), grassroots organisations, professional associations and government agencies, in 172 countries and territories.

Since its launch, UICC Connect has seen steady growth and engagement. Today, 276 UICC member organisations have one or more staff members signed up, and on average, 100 users access the platform every month.

Members are using UICC Connect to communicate about events, share training opportunities, highlight funding calls, and exchange innovative ideas. The platform has also become a place where professionals can seek practical support, from advice on fundraising strategies to guidance on translating patient education materials.

UICC Connect hosts 11 discussion rooms and four thematic channels, each providing spaces for dialogue on specific areas of interest, such as global advocacy, health promotion, and equity in cancer research. It also serves as a venue for sharing deeply personal accounts of challenges faced in cancer control, from the intersection of gender-based violence and cancer care in Malawi to the treatment of Afghan children with cancer in Pakistan under difficult circumstances.

UICC also hosted a friendly competition during October on UICC Connect to highlight outstanding campaigns for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with three ‘winners’. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) encouraged women to prioritise self-examinations with the creative ‘Dry & Detect Towel Initiative’. In Malaysia, the Society for Cancer Advocacy and Awareness Kuching (SCAN) raised awareness through their Pink Warriors’ participation in the 10th Sarawak International Dragon Boat Regatta. And Pakistan’s Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre hosted pink tea parties, walks, and a pink-themed cooking and baking competition.

The competition was the top viewed content in 2024. Other content that users interacted with most includes the new GLOBOCAN cancer data published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, UICC’s new breast cancer advocacy handbook, and the call for applications for projects grants in HPV vaccination.

One of UICC Connect’s key features is its integration with UICC’s member-exclusive online learning (self-guided courses). UICC is in the process of transitioning its educational offer to UICC Connect, providing members with access to both its community and its courses in one place.

In 2024, three new self-guided courses were introduced in collaboration with the World Health Organization, focusing on its global cancer initiatives for childhood cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer elimination. Over the coming months, additional courses – covering topics such as leadership, supportive care, and financing for universal health coverage – will also be made available on the platform.

UICC Connect also aims to coordinate advocacy efforts between UICC and members, sharing tools and campaign messages and ideas, and mobilising members to take action on key issues. This has helped on the one hand to amplify UICC's voice and, on the other, to ensure that the concerns of the cancer control community are heard by policymakers and other decision-makers at the international level.

UICC Connect is not just a tool, it is an evolving community, bringing together professionals from every corner of the cancer control field. Whether members are looking to share expertise, seek advice, or promote new initiatives, UICC Connect offers the resources and networks to help them achieve their goals.

All content is available also in French and Spanish, thanks to a built-in AI-powered translation capability, recognising the diverse nature of UICC’s membership base. Users select their preferred language when they sign up to UICC Connect, and can switch languages when connected.

All UICC members are encouraged to take full advantage of the platform, which is free for staff of member organisations and offers unrestricted access to its many features, including exclusive member-only content. For those seeking to enhance their organisation’s engagement or advance strategic priorities, UICC Connect also provides opportunities to host dedicated discussion spaces tailored to specific interests.

The platform is continually evolving, and UICC is actively seeking feedback and ideas from members to make it even more valuable. UICC encourages all its members to become part of this growing global community, working together to improve cancer control worldwide.

Learn more about UICC Connect and sign up