Light for the World is an international disability and development NGO aiming at an inclusive society. The organisation currently supports more than 258 projects in 20 countries and 2 regions throughout

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

Asia Asia (, ) is one of the world's most notable geographical regions, which is either considered a continent in its own right or a subcontinent of Eurasia, which shares the continental landmass of Afro-Eurasia with Africa. Asia covers an are ...

Latin America Latin America or * french: Amérique Latine, link=no * ht, Amerik Latin, link=no * pt, América Latina, link=no, name=a, sometimes referred to as LatAm is a large cultural region in the Americas where Romance languages — languages derived ...

, and

Oceania Oceania (, , ) is a geographical region that includes Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. Spanning the Eastern and Western hemispheres, Oceania is estimated to have a land area of and a population of around 44.5 million ...

dedicated to the restoration of eyesight, prevention of blindness, rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, inclusive education and promotion of their human rights.

Organisation

Following a major change in governance in early 2016, the organisational structure of Light for the World is that of an international organisation with fully integrated core members and autonomous associated members. In 2008 a formal agreement of confederation had been signed by member organisations in

Austria Austria, , bar, Östareich officially the Republic of Austria, is a country in the southern part of Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine states, one of which is the capital, Vienna, the most populous ...

Belgium Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to ...

and

Czech Republic The Czech Republic, or simply Czechia, is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Historically known as Bohemia, it is bordered by Austria to the south, Germany to the west, Poland to the northeast, and Slovakia to the southeast. The ...

in order to strengthen collaboration and improve opportunities to distribute funds and resources. In April 2011, Dutch NGO Dark and Light joined Light for the World. Country Offices currently operate in

Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (, ; , ff, 𞤄𞤵𞤪𞤳𞤭𞤲𞤢 𞤊𞤢𞤧𞤮, italic=no) is a landlocked country in West Africa with an area of , bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana t ...

Cambodia Cambodia (; also Kampuchea ; km, កម្ពុជា, UNGEGN: ), officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia, spanning an area of , bordered by Thailand ...

Democratic Republic of the Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...

Ethiopia Ethiopia, , om, Itiyoophiyaa, so, Itoobiya, ti, ኢትዮጵያ, Ítiyop'iya, aa, Itiyoppiya officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the ...

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

Mozambique Mozambique (), officially the Republic of Mozambique ( pt, Moçambique or , ; ny, Mozambiki; sw, Msumbiji; ts, Muzambhiki), is a country located in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi ...

South Sudan South Sudan (; din, Paguot Thudän), officially the Republic of South Sudan ( din, Paankɔc Cuëny Thudän), is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of th ...

Tanzania Tanzania (; ), officially the United Republic of Tanzania ( sw, Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania), is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands ...

and

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The ...

. Core members: *Licht für die Welt - Christoffel Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (

) *Svĕtlo pro Svĕt (

) *Light for the World- Licht für die Welt e.V. (

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwee ...

) *Licht für die Welt- Lumière pour le Monde (

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

) *Light for the World USA Inc. (

United States of America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...

) Associated members: *Licht voor de Wereld - Lumière pour le Monde (

) The overall income of the confederation Light for the World in 2019 was €21.95 million. The foundation of the work is built on the commitment of over 150,000 individuals, who account for more than 50% of total revenue. Around 23% came from public bodies – mainly the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are located primarily in Europe, Europe. The union has a total area of ...

, th
Austrian Development Agency
(ADA), and the Czech Development Cooperation.

History

Austria

The Austrian organisation Licht für die Welt was founded in 1988 in

Vienna en, Viennese , iso_code = AT-9 , registration_plate = W , postal_code_type = Postal code , postal_code = , timezone = CET , utc_offset = +1 , timezone_DST ...

under the name "Christoffel-Blindenmission Austria". Among the first projects of the young Austrian organisation were eye care units and rehabilitation programs in

and

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...

. In 2004, the Austrian organisation changed its name to Licht für die Welt - Christoffel-Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, the German language equivalent of Light for the World. In the same year Austrian Federal President, Dr. Heinz Fischer, became patron of Licht für die Welt. In 2008 a formal agreement of confederation was signed by Light for the World in Austria, Belgium and Czech Republic in order to strengthen the collaboration in the program countries and to improve opportunities to distribute funds and resources. In 2010, Austrian Licht für die Welt and Dutch Dark and Light struck an agreement with regard to projects on which they collaborated. LICHT FÜR DIE WELT took over responsibility for projects in

and

Pakistan Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by population, fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 24 ...

, and Dark and Light did the same in

Nepal Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is ma ...

and

Sudan Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic t ...

Belgium

The Belgian organisation was founded in 1997 under the name of Christian Blind Mission Belgium. One of the first programs supported was CCBRT – an orthopaedic and eye care hospital and rehabilitation program in

Dar es Salaam Dar es Salaam (; from ar, دَار السَّلَام, Dâr es-Selâm, lit=Abode of Peace) or commonly known as Dar, is the largest city and financial hub of Tanzania. It is also the capital of Dar es Salaam Region. With a population of over s ...

. Throughout 2003 CBM Belgium performed the first cateract surgery on children at Kabgayi Eye Hospital in Muhanga, Rwandaformer Gitarama, which is a major milestone in the organisations history. In 2008 CBM Belgium becomes Licht voor de Wereld the Dutch equivalent to Light for the World through a formal agreement of confederation, which resulted in stronger cooperation with the Austrian & Czech equivalent. In recent year milestones include: opening of Saint Joseph Eye Hospital in Likasi, Congo; the launch of an inclusive education project in Lubumbashi, Congo and the opening of the Mwangaza eye hospital in Kolwezi, Congo.

Czech Republic

In July 2007, the Czech organisation Svĕtlo pro Svĕt was founded in Prague supporting programs in

. In 2008 Svĕtlo pro Svĕt joined a formal agreement of confederation by the organisations in

and the Czech Republic in order to expand joint efforts on various programs.

Germany

Founded on 28 November 2014 Licht für die Welt Deutschland was born in

Munich Munich ( ; german: München ; bar, Minga ) is the capital and most populous city of the German state of Bavaria. With a population of 1,558,395 inhabitants as of 31 July 2020, it is the third-largest city in Germany, after Berlin and ...

. In October 2015 Licht für die Welt Deutschland was one of the founding members of Light for the World International, the umbrella organization under which the different branches operate today. Due to trademark issues on the 1.1.2021 Licht für die Welt Deutschland changed their name to Light for the World - Licht für die Welt e.V..

The Netherlands

In 1982 Dark and Light was founded by Martien Cozijnsen an ophthalmologist and his wife Jenny. Dark and Light rapidly grew from a small family foundation to a major NGO in the Netherlands. In 2010, Austrian Licht für die Welt and Dutch Dark and Light struck an agreement with regard to projects on which they collaborated. Dark and Light took over responsibility for projects in

and

, their equal did the same in

and

. In 2011 Dark and Light signed a confederation agreement and rebranded itself Dark and Light The Netherlands, this change formally was adapted in 2012. In 2020 Light for the World The Netherlands decided to separate themselves from the Dark and Light family, on 1 January 2021 Light for the World The Netherlands became the Seeyou foundation.

Switzerland

Licht für die Welt- Lumière pour le Monde was founded on 3 December 2014 in Zurich.

United Kingdom

On 30 September 2015, Light for the World UK was founded in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. They work closely with the British Lottery Community Fund,

Sightsavers Sightsavers is an international non-governmental organisation that works with partners in developing countries to treat and prevent avoidable blindness, and promote equality for people with visual impairments and other disabilities. It is based i ...

and the FCDO. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities plays a central role in Licht für die Welt UKs work.

United States

Looking to expand their global presence another Licht für die Welt branch was founded in May 2016 in

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

. What differentiates Light for the World USA Inc. from other branches of the Light for the World family is that Light for the World USA Inc. doesn't support individual donors due to the limited resources Light for the World has in this area. Light for the World USA Inc. is participating in various medication programs founded by the

US government The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America, composed of 50 states, a city within a feder ...

Key activities

Initially, prevention of blindness and restoration of eyesight were the most important sector focus in the programmatic work of Light for the World. Recent years have seen a widening of scope towards the promotion of

Inclusive Education Inclusion in education refers to all students being able to access and gain equal opportunities to education and learning. It arose in the context of special education with an individualized education program or 504 plan, and is built on the ...

, Community Based Rehabilitation, and

Disability Rights The disability rights movement is a global social movement that seeks to secure equal opportunities and equal rights for all people with disabilities. It is made up of organizations of disability activists, also known as disability advocat ...

. Light for the World commits itself to strengthening the rights of persons with disabilities and creating new opportunities, increasing mobility with the help of devices and starting initiatives that will provide education and incomes. Another objective is to raise awareness on the inclusion of persons with disabilities in their family and social environment as well as in international, regional and national contexts. Raising public awareness on the situation of persons with disabilities in developing countries vis-a-vis the United Nations and bodies of the European Union among other international actors also forms a crucial part of Light for the World's work. Light for the World is currently active in the following partner countries:

Rwanda Rwanda (; rw, u Rwanda ), officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator ...

DR Congo The Democratic Republic of the Congo (french: République démocratique du Congo (RDC), colloquially "La RDC" ), informally Congo-Kinshasa, DR Congo, the DRC, the DROC, or the Congo, and formerly and also colloquially Zaire, is a country in ...

Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mo ...

Northeast India , native_name_lang = mni , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = , motto = , image_map = Northeast india.png , ...

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Gui ...

Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (abbreviated PNG; , ; tpi, Papua Niugini; ho, Papua Niu Gini), officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea ( tpi, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niugini; ho, Independen Stet bilong Papua Niu Gini), is a country i ...

Bolivia , image_flag = Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg , flag_alt = Horizontal tricolor (red, yellow, and green from top to bottom) with the coat of arms of Bolivia in the center , flag_alt2 = 7 × 7 square p ...

, and

Bosnia-Herzegovina Bosnia and Herzegovina ( sh, / , ), abbreviated BiH () or B&H, sometimes called Bosnia–Herzegovina and Pars pro toto#Geography, often known informally as Bosnia, is a country at the crossroads of Southern Europe, south and southeast Euro ...

. Former partner countries, include

Haiti Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and s ...

Togo Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...

, and

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

. On its website, the organisation cites the following ''guiding principles in cooperation with partners in the developing world'': *Support local partners in underprivileged regions of the world in their work with and for people who are blind, have other disabilities or are at risk of becoming disabled. *Provide help irrespective of gender, ethnicity or religion and in particular to very underprivileged groups, such as women, children, indigenous peoples and marginal groups in society. *Act according to the needs of the people affected. *Projects reach as many people as possible. *Support programs leading to sustainable strengthening and social inclusion of people who are blind or have other disabilities in their communities. *Support programs also in difficult periods and respond to current challenges with endurance, perseverance and flexibility. *To apply efficient and economical use of funds in projects and take into consideration principles of ecological and social sustainability and fair trade whenever possible. *Enable a global exchange of experiences regarding effective and efficient concepts in the program areas that Light for the World support.

Ambassadors

Light for the World is represented by an International Board of Ambassadors, which consists of: *

Paralympics The Paralympic Games or Paralympics, also known as the ''Games of the Paralympiad'', is a periodic series of international multisport events involving athletes with a range of physical disabilities, including impaired muscle power and impaired ...

winner Henry Wanyoike * Olympic champion

Haile Gebrselassie Haile Gebrselassie ( am, ኀይሌ ገብረ ሥላሴ, ''haylē gebre silassē''; born 18 April 1973) is an Ethiopian retired long-distance track, road running athlete, and businessman. He won two Olympic gold medals and four World Champions ...

* Prince Maximilian of Liechtenstein *

Benita Ferrero-Waldner Benita Ferrero-Waldner (born 5 September 1948) is an Austrian diplomat and politician, and a member of the conservative Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). Ferrero-Waldner served as Foreign Minister of Austria 2000–2004 and was the candidate of th ...

former Austrian minister and EU commissar * Collin Allen former president of the World Federation of the Deaf * Colin Low vice president of the

RNIB The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is a UK charity offering information, support and advice to almost two million people in the UK with sight loss. History The RNIB was founded by Thomas Rhodes Armitage, a doctor who had ey ...

* Disability inclusion activist Prof. Ron McCallum.

Awards

Light for the World received the Zero Project Award 2023 for innovative solutions for persons with disabilities. Ahead of the 2015 National Elections in Burkina Faso it facilitated, monitored, documented, and implemented solutions that removed barriers for persons with disabilities regarding political participation. Among others, ballot papers were printed in Braille and legislative bodies hired persons with disabilities to ensure equitable elections. These good practices have further been shared with various West African stakeholders.

External links

LIGHT FOR THE WORLD International

References

{{Reflist Blindness organisations in Austria International organisations based in Austria