Our Bureau
London
On Saturday, 31 January 2026, global health leaders, policymakers, philanthropists, and youth changemakers will convene at the House of Lords, London, to commemorate the International Day for a World Without Childhood Blindness—a landmark global observance dedicated to ensuring that no child is needlessly blind in the 21st century.
The high-level commemoration marks 49 years of service to children since 31 January 1977, when the first eye camp was conducted—an act that ignited a worldwide movement to prevent and treat childhood blindness. Today, that movement spans continents, impacting millions of children and families through prevention, early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation.
The event is led by the Eye Foundation of America (EFA), in collaboration with global partners, leaders from Rotary, Lions, United Nations, Commonwealth Sec and civil society institutions, and is hosted at one of the world’s most influential legislative chambers—underscoring the urgency of embedding childhood eye health into public health, education, and global development policy.
A Global Health and Education Imperative
Childhood blindness remains one of the most preventable yet devastating challenges facing global health. Over 90% of learning happens through vision, making eye health inseparable from education, equity, and economic mobility.
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), the International Day serves as a global call to action for governments, multilateral agencies, CSR leaders, and philanthropic institutions to scale solutions that are proven, affordable, and transformational.
Leadership Behind the Movement
The global movement for a world without childhood blindness was founded by Dr. V. K. Raju, an internationally respected ophthalmologist and humanitarian whose life’s work has restored sight and hope to children across India, Africa, the United States, and beyond.
The commemoration is supported and championed by Lord Rami Ranger, a distinguished member of the House of Lords and a long-standing advocate for humanitarian causes, inclusion, and global equity.
What the Commemoration Represents
- 49 years of uninterrupted service to children since 1977
- A unified global platform linking health, education, CSR, and youth leadership
- A policy-anchored movement aimed at institutionalising childhood blindness prevention worldwide
- A call for governments and global institutions to prioritise childhood vision as a development multiplier
Event Details
Venue: House of Lords, Palace of Westminster, London
Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026
Time: 3:00 PM
Occasion: Commemoration of the International Day for a World Without Childhood Blindness
