Optometry Giving Sight and Brien Holden merge

Under the deal OGS – first conceived in 2003 by Brien Holden in partnership with the World Council of Optometry and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness – will be fully absorbed and become the BHVI Foundation.The merge will begin in Australia, with OGS in Australia joining with BHVI on March 1, before a similar process will follow in other countries where OGS has a presence. OGS chair Dr Juan Carlos Aragon, will join the board of the new foundation and also said current OGS global board mbers had been invited to become part of a newly-formed Advisory Board.{{quote-a:r-w:400-I:2-Q: Our goal is to ensure the campaign can continue to grow and develop. The Board feels this can be done most effectively as part of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation. -WHO:Dr Juan Carlos Aragon, OGS Chair}}“Optometry Giving Sight has done an incredible job over the past 14 years in mobilising resources from the global optometric profession and industry to support more than 117 high impact eye and vision care projects in 39 countries around the world,” Aragon said.“Our goal is to ensure the campaign can continue to grow and develop. The Board feels this can be done most effectively as part of the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation.”According to a joint-release from the charities, all current agreents with OGS project partners will continue and the OGS brand will be maintained, while current CEO Mr Clive Miller will become global head of philanthropy for the new foundation. All other OGS staff will rain working in the merged organisation.BHVI CEO Professor Kovin Naidoo said merging the two charities would allow th to become more effective and able to maximise the resources at their disposal to dedicate to key program areas.“These include the Our Children’s Vision campaign, education and training for new and established optometrists in erging communities, and a range of advocacy activities with organisations including the World Council of Optometry and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness,” he said.“I know it would be Brien’s fervent wish that our current donors and sponsors continue to support Optometry Giving Sight as we move forward and focus on the growing impact of myopia on children throughout the world, and the need to train and equip many more optometrists to be able to provide services in areas of great need.”More information: Merger FAQs