International Medical Assistance related with Rock in Rio?

Nowadays medical assistance provided to the entire world, social action through projects and environmental care are rare, though much needed. AMI (Assistência Médica Internacional) which is a private, Portuguese, non-profitable and non-governmental organization with an independent character, assist communities and people with two main aims: to intervene rapidly in crisis and emergency situations. AMI is sponsoring for the first time Rock in Rio edition of Lisbon 2012.

International Medical Assistance related with Rock in RioAMI is known not only in Portugal but also all over the world. The organization aims to fight poverty, social exclusion, underdevelopment, hunger and the consequences of war, anywhere in the world. It is, moreover, fighting intolerance and indifference, continuing to convey its message of solidarity and humanism to the world through its international missions. In order to realize these objectives they take over action in three different types of intervention: Emergency Missions, Development Missions and Microprojects.

Microprojects which take place since 1989 consist in the funding and monitoring of projects presented and implemented by local organizations in developing countries. Only in 2009, AMI has financed 46 micro-projects from 38 local organizations in 26 countries in every continent. Most of the projects financed are in Asia and Africa. The organization´s budget to this arm of its intervention is more or less 500,000€ per year. Continuing this action, AMI is sponsoring the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon this year for the first time.

The choice for financing this specific event was made considering that it is one that attracts many youngsters. The purpose of sponsoring and being present at the grounds of Rock in Rio is to inform and raise the awareness of mainly young people, which are believed to form the future and furthermore are the only ones who can change the environmental and economic crisis.

At the festival, AMI informed people about their action and showed off three of the particles they recycle: broken mobile phones, X-Rays and empty toners and cartridges. Answering our question if they are going to be present at the next edition of Rock in Rio they answered positively and promised they will enrich their presence with games and attractive activities in order to change the ideology and improve the behavior of young and older people, which is related with the aspects of this independent organization.

Michalis Rousos, Melina Yerolatsite