Reinforcing VISION 2020

Signatures handed over to World Health Organization

On 15 May 2012 CBM handed over more than 8200 signatures to the World Health Organization (WHO). This concluded a signature campaign led by CBM Germany in favour of strong blindness prevention efforts by WHO Member States. The text of the petition requests WHO Member States to put in place national blindness prevention plans with the final goal to eliminate avoidable blindness.

CBM Advocacy Manager Lars Bosselmann (left) hands the petition to WHO Representative to the EU Dr. Roberto Bertollini (centre) in the presence of Michael Gahler (MEP) at the WHO Brussels Office. Photo : CBM

The signatures were received by Dr. Roberto Bertollini, WHO Representative to the EU. Member of the European Parliament, Michael Gahler, who has been supporting the work of CBM for many years, attended the ceremony.

After having received the signatures, Dr Bertollini declared "I thank CBM for the ongoing commitment to the goals of VISION 2020 and I strongly believe that our partnership can make a significant difference."

Michael Gahler added "I am engaged in development work to create the right policy framework allowing people to improve their quality of life. This works best when various stakeholders join forces; the Vision 2020 campaign is a good example of this."

CBM's EU Advocacy Manager, Lars Bosselmann, said: "We are doing this work in order to fight for equal opportunities in poorer and richer countries. We thank all those who give their support to VISION 2020, including those who signed the campaign."

Further Reading

 Vision 2020 - Read more about the global "Vision 2020: The Right to Sight" initiative; of which CBM are founding members.