Working Through Partnerships

Much of The Foundation's success in treating blindness, improving Indigenous health and alleviating poverty is owed to our investment in partnerships. Partnerships are fundamental to the long term sustainability and effectiveness of any eye health or development program.

In our blindness prevention programs, The Foundation works collaboratively with other organisations who share our values and vision. These partners may be private or public health services at the local, regional and national level, community based organisations or passionate individuals who are committed to our objectives.

In Australia, we work in close partnership with local Indigenous organisations including Indigenous managed health services, women's centres and traditional owner's organisations. 

Our partnerships are formalised by agreements that outline each party's role and responsibilities and state our common objectives. This ensures that accountability for the program is shared by all.

The Foundation believes that partnerships are an opportunity for two-way learning. We respect our partners' existing knowledge and experience, appreciate their unique perspectives and seek their guidance and participation when planning and developing our programs.

The Foundation is a member or signatory to several local and global partnerships that aim to prevent global blindness, reduce poverty and improve the health and well-being of Indigenous Australians. These include:

• International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, an umbrella organisation that aims to lead and coordinate international efforts to reduce and prevent blindness. The Foundation is a member of the Board of IAPB.
• VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, a global campaign initiated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the World Health Organisation to eradicate all forms of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
• Close the Gap, a coalition of Australian non-government and development organisations that is calling on the Australian Government to do more to close the disturbing 10 year gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous life expectancies.
• Make Poverty History, the Australian arm of a global campaign by non-government development agencies to pressure governments to do more to reach the United Nation's Millenium Development Goals.
• Make Indigenous Poverty History, a campaign to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are built in to the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals.

The Foundation has drawn up a Strategic Framework for the coming years that includes our partnership plans. The Framework outlines our commitment to:

• Continuously identify and build relationships with relevant individuals and agencies.
• Endorse and support VISION 2020: The Right to Sight, the global campaign to eradicate all forms of avoidable blindness by the year 2020.
• Participate in the development and implementation of a global structure for The Foundation and key affiliates.

Find out further information about:

> Our Indigenous local partners in the Indigenous Australia program.

> Our local partners in the blindness prevention programs in Africa, South Asia, South East Asia and The Pacific by visiting Our Programs.

> The commitment of our partners and supporters and how they enable us to continue our valuable work.

> Our Strategic Framework 2006-2010