How Came VISION 2020 Into Being?
History Of The Campaign
In the mid-1970s, the International Federation of Ophthalmological Societies (IFOS), the World Blind Union, and a group of international NGOs formed the IAPB. In 1978, WHO established the Prevention of Blindness programme (WHO/PBL).
Throughout the 1980s, a close working relationship developed between WHO/PBL and the NGOs. One outcome of this was the unique partnership between WHO, Merck and Co. Inc., and NGOs involved in onchocerciasis control, which led to collaboration with the World Bank for the development of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC).
In 1994, based on the positive experience of this public-private partnership to control one specific blinding disease, WHO and the NGOs formed a joint task force to address the increasing problem of global blindness. With support from the NGOs, WHO convened consultations with experts in the field, which in 1997 resulted in the publication of The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness. That document explains the rationale, global strategy, and targets for the VISION 2020 programme.
In May 2003, the World Health Assembly unanimously passed resolution WHA 56.26, which urges Member States to commit themselves to supporting the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness by setting up, not later than 2005, a national Vision 2020 plan, in partnership with WHO and in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations and the private sector thus giving a highly visible international impetus to the prevention of avoidable blindness.
Reference: VISION 2020 Website
Further Information: VISION 2020 Toolkit
Go back: VISION 2020
Throughout the 1980s, a close working relationship developed between WHO/PBL and the NGOs. One outcome of this was the unique partnership between WHO, Merck and Co. Inc., and NGOs involved in onchocerciasis control, which led to collaboration with the World Bank for the development of the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC).
In 1994, based on the positive experience of this public-private partnership to control one specific blinding disease, WHO and the NGOs formed a joint task force to address the increasing problem of global blindness. With support from the NGOs, WHO convened consultations with experts in the field, which in 1997 resulted in the publication of The Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness. That document explains the rationale, global strategy, and targets for the VISION 2020 programme.
In May 2003, the World Health Assembly unanimously passed resolution WHA 56.26, which urges Member States to commit themselves to supporting the Global Initiative for the Elimination of Avoidable Blindness by setting up, not later than 2005, a national Vision 2020 plan, in partnership with WHO and in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations and the private sector thus giving a highly visible international impetus to the prevention of avoidable blindness.
Reference: VISION 2020 Website
Further Information: VISION 2020 Toolkit
Go back: VISION 2020
