The Fred Hollows Foundation to launch world-first research at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE

IAPB’s 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Singapore offers those in the eye health sector an opportunity to forge new ideas, partnerships, and approaches to our common goal of ending avoidable blindness.

I am therefore delighted that The Fred Hollows Foundation will be one of the IAPB change-makers, helping to make the 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE conference a pivotal moment for global eye health.

The Foundation and IAPB have a long history of working together. Our close partnership has supported the passage of global resolutions at the World Health Assembly and United Nations, elevated gender equity and raised the importance of eye health in countries around the world.

We are excited to share that The Foundation will make 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE the launchpad for our landmark investment case for eye health. The Foundation’s Senior Health Economist, Jack Hennessy, will present the world-first research that has been developed by The Foundation in partnership with Victoria University’s Institute for Strategic Economic Studies. The model provides the basis for greater investment in eye health programs and will be a key step forward in our efforts to end avoidable blindness. It demonstrates what we all know – that investment in eye care has a great return.

Equity has always been at the heart of our work. This year in Singapore, The Foundation’s Executive Director of Global Advocacy Jennifer Gersbeck, who also co-chairs IAPB’s Gender Equity Work Group, will lead a session on the state of gender equity in eye health. We will also see members of the Indigenous Peoples Special Interest Group, convened by our Director of Social Justice and Regional Engagement Jaki Adams, present its position statement Promoting Eye Health Equity for Indigenous Peoples Globally.

Delegates from The Foundation will also be speaking in a broad range of sessions, from the experience of Integrated People-centred Eye Care in-country to advocacy skills and a session in Mandarin.

As an eye surgeon and humanitarian, Professor Fred Hollows always pushed for change and put in motion a legacy to end avoidable blindness. Today we continue what he started, working towards a world where everyone has access to high quality, affordable eye care.

With just one month until 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE, I urge those who can, to attend the conference.

Together we will elevate the issue of eye health and discuss strategies to build momentum for change across health systems and beyond.