ICO Advocacy Committee News
Posted on January 15, 2010
Topic: Advocacy/Vision 2020
Since its inception, the ICO Advocacy Committee has worked in cooperation with national societies to advocate for the prevention of visual loss.
The purpose of ICO Advocacy is to influence decision-making to make sure that comprehensive eye care is part of public health policy in each country and is financed as part of the national health system.
The ICO has asked member societies to each nominate an advocate to work with the Advocacy committee. Currently, 70 Advocates representing national and subspecialty societies are working with IAPB, WHO and VISION 2020, to represent ICO at WHO Regional Committee Meetings, inform national ophthalmologic societies and assist national societies to lead national Vision 2020 efforts.
In 2010, the Advocacy Committee will focus on stimulating and supporting implementation of the WHO Action Plan for the Prevention of Avoidable Blindness.
The ICO Advocates will again gather at the WOC 2010 in Berlin on June 5 to discuss plans for moving forward. A representative from the VISION 2020 Australia team will share their formula for success with the group.
