19 November 2009
“Australia can eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific
within 10 years”
Australian Government and Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium
set to transform the lives of millions
In an historic first, eye health and vision care organisations have united
with the Australian Government to eliminate avoidable blindness and
reduce the impact of vision loss throughout South East Asia and the Pacific
over the next 10 years.
The partnership is part of the Rudd Government’s focus on improving living
standards, health care and access to education in the Asia Pacific, and is a
key element of AusAID’s new Development for All disability strategy.
80% of global blindness is avoidable, treatable or preventable and, as a
result of this partnership, as many as 100 million people in South East Asia
and the Pacific will have their vision restored or improved.
The Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International
Development Assistance, will today launch the Vision 2020 Australia Global
Consortium. The 2008 federal budget contained a $45 million commitment
to improving eye health in the Asia Pacific. Since then, there has been
much progress in establishing a Consortium partnership and developing a
partnership agreement to commence the first stages of this
groundbreaking initiative.
“The Consortium represents another important development partnership
between the Government and non-Government sectors. The Australian
Government looks forward to working with the Vision 2020 Global
Consortium to improve the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people
in our region,” Mr McMullan said.
Jennifer Gersbeck, CEO, Vision 2020 Australia, said, “Australia can
eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific within 10 years. This
would be a remarkable legacy to leave our closest neighbours. Blindness is
both a cause and consequence of poverty, and improving eye care and
reducing preventable blindness is a simple and cost effective way to
reduce poverty.
“We are very excited and proud to be working in partnership with the
Australian Government to deliver these projects. The Consortium members
are all specialist organisations with a track record of achieving outstanding
results both in Australia and overseas. Working together, we can achieve
our goal to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific – and this is
the first step.”
2
Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium launch
Thursday 19 November: 10.00am
Mural Hall - Parliament House, Canberra
The Hon Bob McMullan MP, Parliamentary Secretary for International
Development Assistance, will launch the Vision 2020 Australia Global
Consortium.
About the Consortium
The Vision 2020 Australia Global Consortium brings together a group of
leading eye health and vision care organisations. Global Consortium
activities will include:
•
addressing primary and secondary eye care needs in the Asia-Pacific region
•
expanding the number of eye health workers in the region through support
to training centres, medical colleges and teaching hospitals
•
building on existing efforts by non-government organisations, governments
and other organisations in providing quality eye health services
•
informing the design of longer term programs to address avoidable
blindness.
The Consortium’s activities over the next two years constitute the first
step in implementing Vision 2020 Australia’s 10 year Regional Plan, which
aims to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Asia Pacific. The Secretariat
function of the Global Consortium is being coordinated by Vision 2020
Australia. Other members of the Consortium include:
•
CBM Australia
•
Centre for Eye Research Australia
•
Foresight
•
The Fred Hollows Foundation
•
International Centre for Eyecare Education
•
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
•
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
•
Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children
•
Vision Australia.
-ENDS-
Jennifer Gersbeck is available for interview.
High resolution images and broadcast quality footage are available.
For more information, please call Michelle Kelly on 9827 0422/0438 232
054 or email michelle@mendleson.com.au
NEWS 
