Global Appeal 2015 – First Global Appeal being Launched from Japan Aims to Eliminate Social Stigma and Discrimination against Leprosy

Time: January 27, 2015 (Tuesday) 10:30 – Launch Ceremony; 13:00 – Symposium
Location: ANA InterContinental Tokyo (Minato-ku, Tokyo)

Every year, the Nippon Foundation delivers a Global Appeal to End Stigma and Discrimination against People Affected by Leprosy to coincide with World Leprosy Day, observed each January. This year will mark the 10th Global Appeal, and is being launched from Japan for the first time. Side events will also be held at various locations, with the aim of promoting a correct understanding of leprosy.

THINK LEPROSY NOW Logo

The Nippon Foundation has been working for more than 40 years to bring leprosy under control. Today, Brazil is the only remaining country where this has yet to be achieved, and medical advances are being made toward the elimination of the disease. Nevertheless, stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy remain firmly rooted around the world.

Yohei Sasakawa (WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination and Japanese Government Goodwill Ambassador for the Human Rights of People Affected by Leprosy), the Nippon Foundation’s chairman, has issued a global appeal each year since 2006 together with medical, legal, educational, and religious leaders from around the world, to draw attention to the facts that leprosy is a curable disease, medical treatment is free, and there is no basis for discrimination.

This year’s 10th Global Appeal will be delivered together with the International Council of Nurses and the nursing associations of countries around the world, and is being launched from Japan for the first time. A symposium will be held on the day of the launch to raise awareness of leprosy.

Various side events to promote a correct understanding of the disease will also be held, and will include a media event with persons who have recovered from leprosy, sidewalk campaigns for the elimination of discrimination that will include persons who have recovered from leprosy, a photo exhibition, and lectures and discussions.

Global Appeal 2015 Launch Ceremony and International Symposium

Event Launch Ceremony
Time January 27, 2015 (Tuesday) 10:30–12:00
Location Prominence ballroom, ANA InterContinental Tokyo
Event International Symposium on Leprosy: “Why Leprosy Now?”
Time January 27, 2015 (Tuesday) 13:00–18:00
Location Galaxy banquet room, ANA InterContinental Tokyo

Side Events

  • From January 22 (Thursday) at various locations around Tokyo

Contact

Public Relations Section, Communications Department
The Nippon Foundation

E-mail
cc@ps.nippon-foundation.or.jp