News and notices. Comm Eye Health Vol. 16 No. 47 2003. October 01, 2003

World Sight Day: 9 October 2003

‘Tool Kit Prevents Blindness Worldwide’

This year World Sight Day will be celebrated by the launch of a ‘Government Tool Kit’ which provides information and guidance on developing, implementing and evaluating VISION 2020 National Prevention of Blindness Plans. This free interactive CD-ROM has been produced in response to the acceptance of the VISION 2020: The Right to Sight Resolution at the 56th World Health Assembly in May 2003.

The ‘Tool Kit’ will be launched around the world and as a Patron of VISION 2020, Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, will take part in an event in London on World Sight Day.

World Sight Day 2003 aims to raise awareness of the fact that 80 per cent of blindness is avoidable, and by successfully implementing the VISION 2020 initiative, 100 million people will be prevented from going blind.

With the world’s focus on Blindness Prevention, World Sight Day provides an opportunity to secure support from people around the world by encouraging them to ‘Sign Up for Sight’. VISION 2020 aims to collect over 20 million signatures by the year 2020 to show governments and decision makers the degree of international support for investment in tackling avoidable blindness. Please sign our Declaration of Support at your local event or online at www.v2020.org.

World Sight Day is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO). It is supported by organizations, including UN agencies, governments, eye care organizations, health professionals, philanthropic institutions and individuals working together in a global partnership – to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020.

For more information about World Sight Day 2003, the WHA Resolution and VISION 2020’s work, please visit www.v2020.org or e-mail: [email protected]

News and notices in Comm Eye Health Vol. 16 No. 47 2003 –