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In October we held the IAPB Board meeting virtually over two days, which had some very productive discussions and key outcomes.
Day one’s focus was on the new sector strategy ‘2030 In Sight: Ending avoidable sight loss’. The Board received a presentation and inputted into the systems change process mapping a pilot project that is being led by the Fred Hollows Foundation in Bangladesh and the strategy implementation process which outlined our approach to communicating and implementing 2030 In Sight. This will include drop-in sessions for members to learn about it and understand how they can support its implementation (see Membership Matters for more details). Other agenda items on day one included the Goals for 2030 In Sight and the 10-year IAPB Advocacy and Campaign strategy which was approved by the Board and will focus on four key areas: child eye health; business; regulations and taxation, 2045 agenda.
The final session of the day focused on the IAPB Hybrid Meeting in Dubai which Manal Taryam, CEO, Noor Dubai presented to the Board as a partner with IAPB for the event. The event will take place over two days, face to face, as well as virtually for those who are unable to attend in person. The date has been confirmed for 2 and 3 March 2022 so do ensure you save this in your diaries!
Day two’s meeting began with an update from Alarcos Cieza, Unit Head, World Health Organisation. Alarcos updated the Board that WHO is developing relevant technical guidance and tools to support governments and other stakeholders to implement the recommendations of the World Report on Vision and the World Health Assembly Resolution. It is hoped that these will become available in early 2022.
The Board agreed to the 3-year IAPB secretariat plan which is centred around activities to achieve the goals of 2030 In Sight, as well as supporting members in implementing the recommendations of the World Report on Vision.
The Board considered a presentation on the concept of the Vision Observatory which builds on the current Vision Atlas. The aim of the Observatory will be to provide a foundation piece for data and evidence for the sector and to support the 2030 In Sight strategy. It aims to provide data and evidence in the three core elements of the strategy – Elevate; Integrate; Activate.
A Membership Growth Group is being formed to ensure that IAPB’s membership model maintains strong member engagement and is attractive to recruit new organisations to support the delivery of 2030 In Sight. The Membership Growth Group will bring together a diverse representation of members to review the existing criteria and make recommendations as appropriate. The group will be supported by a wider consultation group. Members who would like to engage in this work should contact Rachael Bourke, [email protected]
The Board meeting ended with a presentation on this year’s World Sight Day, which has been our most successful to date. Over 3.6 million sight tests were pledged, nearly 20,000 downloads of materials and over 1,000 submissions for the photo competition.
Click here to read the full Board pack.
