News and notices. Comm Eye Health Vol. 19 No. 59 2006. September 09, 2006

Courses and conferences

The Inaugural World Congress on Refractive Error and Service Development

Theme: Meeting the Challenges of Refractive Errors in the 21st Century. Date: 14-16 March, 2007. Venue: The International Convention Centre, Durban, South Africa. Hosted by: The International Centre for Eyecare Education (ICEE). Scientific programme: Sessions include the latest in clinical issues, public health developments and research to address this major cause of visual impairment and blindness and meet the VISION 2020 goal of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020. Latest developments in correcting and treating refractive errors with spectacles, contact lenses and refractive surgery will be discussed as well as programme and community developmental efforts on how to address refractive blindness worldwide. Information: www.icee.org

Eighth General Assembly of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

Theme: Excellence and Equity in Eye Care. Date: July 28-August 2, 2008. Venue: Centro de Convenções Rebouças, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Email: [email protected]

International Ophthalmic Nurses Association Annual Conference

Date: 30-31 March 2007. Venue: University of Swansea, South Wales, UK. Information: Northern Network Events. Email: [email protected]

Bridging Communities and Eye Care Providers to Achieve VISION 2020 in Africa

Date: November 13-17, 2006. Venue: Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tanzania. Objectives: To meet VISION 2020 goals, developing and implementing better strategies for bridging communities and hospitals will be essential. This course will provide eye care programme managers with the skills necessary to develop, implement, and monitor strategies for increasing utilisation of services by the population in need. Target audience: Eye care programme managers (MoH, NGO, service groups), trainers, key decision-makers of national prevention of blindness programmes. Information and admission procedures: Genes Mng’anya, KCCO Courses Administrator – Email: [email protected]
Course supported by Seva Foundation

Organisational & Financial Management to Achieve VISION 2020 in Africa

Date: November 20-December 1, 2006. Venue: Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tanzania. Course objective: To provide practical (African-tested) strategies for either developing or strengthening management systems to facilitate increased efficiency, coverage, and satisfaction with eye care services. Target audience: The heads and key decision-makers of VISION 2020 planning areas. Information and admission procedures: Genes Mng’anya – Email [email protected]. Course supported by Fred Hollows Foundation

Short Course in Tropical Ophthalmology

Date: 21-23 November, 2006. Venue: International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, 8 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RE, UK. Course aims and objectives: The primary purpose of the course will be to familiarise participants with the main causes of blindness in the world, with emphasis on the tropics. This will be done through review of the clinical presentation and management of the following diseases: trachoma, onchocerciasis, vitamin A deficiency and measles, ophthalmia neonatorum, leprosy, and HIV and the eye. The workshop programme will also introduce participants to the Global VISION 2020 Initiative and its implementation through the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight programme. One of the goals of the Global Initiative is to reduce childhood blindness from its present level of 0.75 per 1,000 children to 0.4 per 1,000 children by the year 2020. The main focus of the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight Global Initiative is to create adequate eye care facilities within communities, particularly in underprivileged areas; to develop human resources so that well-trained eye care workers are available; and to implement specific programmes to control the major causes of blindness. Target audience: Ophthalmologists, from the UK and overseas, who wish to gain knowledge on eye diseases found in the tropics. Information and admission procedures: Applications for this workshop are available on the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine’s website www.lshtm.ac.uk/prospectus/short/sto.html or contact Emma Sydenham – Email: [email protected]

News and notices in Comm Eye Health Vol. 19 No. 59 2006 –