June 6th agenda

07:45 - 08:45
Breakfast Meeting
Global Vision 2020: Expanding refractive error services into eye health care deserts, the case for task-sharing

Globally, entire regions and populations go without refractive care, not for lack of need but for a lack of the right delivery model. By removing barriers to access and rethinking who delivers refractive error services, eye health care deserts need not be inevitable. Drawing on field data and academic research from pilots in Ghana, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Kenya, this session makes the case for task-sharing as the foundation of a financially sustainable primary eye health system. Expect hard numbers, honest questions, and a conversation worth having.

Room: Mt Kenya 1 & 2

Breakfast Meeting
Peek Vision: Catalysing change: unlocking sustainable funding for eye health

Peek Vision will host an interactive breakfast session exploring one of the sector’s biggest challenges: how do we fund eye health sustainably to effect lasting, systemic change? Bringing together leaders from WHO, funders and eye health providers, the session will seek feedback from the sector and showcase emerging financing models being trialled in multiple countries in Africa and Asia. Attendees can expect candid insights, audience participation and open discussion on what must change to unlock lasting, large-scale progress in eye health worldwide.

Room: Breakout 4 - Mt Elgon 2 & 3

09:00 - 10:45

2030 IN SIGHT LIVE Plenary - Day 3 (Mt Kilimanjaro)

10:45 - 11:15

Networking, Break for Tea

11:15 - 12:30
Positioning Eye Health as a National Priority: From Strategy to Systems

What will it take to translate the strong economic case for eye health into national budget allocations?

This session demystifies how eye health competes for, and wins, space in national budgets. It explores how investment decisions are made and how to present finance-ready cases that resonate with ministries of finance, planning, and development partners. Drawing on the Value of Vision investment case, participants will examine how evidence, framing, and coordinated advocacy can help turn the case for eye health into credible budget allocations.

Key discussion elements

  • Understanding what decision-makers look for when allocating budgets
  • Framing the Value of Vision through economic, social, and political priorities
  • Learning from real-world examples of eye health influencing national budgets and development partners
  • Aligning government, NGOs, private sector, philanthropy, professionals, and the public around stronger investment cases

Room: Breakout 2 - Mt Kilimanjaro 1

Moderator

  • Drew Keys
    Drew Keys

    Drew Keys is the Director of Regions Engagement for IAPB, the global peak body for the eye health sector.

Speakers

  • Keisha McGuire
    Keisha McGuire

    Ambassador Keisha A. McGuire serves as Chief Global Affairs Officer at RestoringVision, a global nonprofit addressing the massive yet often overlooked vision crisis of presbyopia.

  • Frank Hida
    Frank Hida

    IAPB Latin America Sub-Regional Co-Chair, committed advocate for eye health and social impact initiatives in Brazil.

  • Oteri Okolo
    Oteri Okolo

    Dr. Oteri Eme OKOLO is a visionary public eye health ophthalmologist with expertise in program management and coordination, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and partnership building.

  • Fernando Botelho
    Fernando Botelho

    Fernando Botelho is the Assistive Technology Programme Specialist at the Children with Disability Team in UNICEF's Center of Excellence in Nairobi.

  • Louisa Syrett
    Louisa Syrett

    Louisa Syrett is a global advocacy and partnerships leader with 20 years’ experience advancing gender equality, social justice and inclusive development through strategic alliances, policy advocacy and narrative change.

  • Nadiya Deferne
    Nadiya Deferne

    Nadiya leads International Public Affairs at Santen, a global pharmaceutical company specialising in ophthalmology, where she has established the public affairs function with a focus on elevating eye health as a public health priority.

Unpacking the Investment Case: Moving from Advocacy to Actual Funding

What will it take to translate the strong economic case for eye health into national budget allocations?

This session demystifies how eye health competes for, and wins, space in national budgets. It explores how investment decisions are made and how to present finance-ready cases that resonate with ministries of finance, planning, and development partners. Drawing on the Value of Vision investment case, participants will examine how evidence, framing, and coordinated advocacy can help turn the case for eye health into credible budget allocations.

Key discussion elements

  • Understanding what decision-makers look for when allocating budgets
  • Framing the Value of Vision through economic, social, and political priorities
  • Learning from real-world examples of eye health influencing national budgets and development partners
  • Aligning government, NGOs, private sector, philanthropy, professionals, and the public around stronger investment cases

Moderators

  • Jude Stern
    Jude Stern

    Jude leads the IAPB knowledge agenda and team. Highlights from recent work include co-authoring The Value of Vision: the Case for Investing in Eye Health, the increase of use of the transformed Vision Atlas, the programme for IN SIGHT LIVE events, the Young Systems Leaders programme and the re-energised member engagement groups.

  • Fabrizio D'Esposito
    Fabrizio D'Esposito

    Fabrizio is the IAPB Head of Region for the Western Pacific Region. He is a public health specialist with over 15 years’ experience in advocacy, policy, program delivery, and research across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific.

Speakers

  • Aaron Magava
    Aaron Magava

    Dr Aaron Thembinkosi Magava is a Zimbabwean Qphthalmologist and Public Eye Health Specialist with extensive experience in clinical care, health systems strengthening, and regional policy development.

  • Amanda Davis
    Amanda Davis

    Amanda Davis has been working in the area of blindness prevention and public health since 2006. Her experience spans advocacy, education, research, infrastructure development and funding; developing and managing relationships

  • Jennifer Chen
    Jennifer Chen

    Jennifer Chen is Chief Executive of The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation, the global foundation which champions initiatives focused on vision correction and early childhood literacy.

  • Daniel Mwai
    Daniel Mwai

    Dr. Daniel Mwai, is the Presidential Advisor Health in the Executive Office of the President. A leading Health Economist and Health Financing Specialist in Kenya and the region.

  • Ngoc Pham
    Ngoc Pham

    As the Country Director of Orbis Vietnam, Pham Kim Ngoc leads the strategic and operational management of the country office, ensuring the successful implementation of Orbis’s mission in Vietnam.

AI and Diagnostics at the Frontline: Rethinking the Point of Care

AI is rapidly reshaping what frontline eye care can achieve, but how can health systems harness its full potential?

Beyond individual tools, AI has the power to redistribute expertise, expand diagnostic reach, and strengthen workforce capacity, helping health systems overcome structural constraints and deliver care closer to communities. Through case-led insights and structured dialogue, participants will explore how AI is transforming frontline diagnostics and patient pathways, improving access and quality of care, and addressing key system constraints.

Key discussion elements

  • Exploring AI as a system enabler for diagnostic reach, workforce capacity, and scalable task-shifting
  • Examining how AI is reshaping frontline diagnostics and patient pathways
  • Strengthening access, quality, capability, and resilience through responsible AI integration
  • Reflecting on the governance, regulatory, and partnership conditions needed for sustainable system-wide impact

Room: Breakout 3 - Mt Kenya 1 & 2

Moderator

  • Oli Barrett
    Oli Barrett

    Creator of the Build A Better Network Course and Co-founder of Children’s Literacy Campaign TOTS

Speakers

  • David Hunter Cherwek
    David Hunter Cherwek

    Dr Hunter Cherwek is a global ophthalmologist and clinical training specialist with extensive experience in technology-enabled eye care, surgical training, and programmes to eliminate avoidable blindness in low-resource settings. He currently serves as Vice President, Clinical Services & Technologies at Orbis International.

  • Snider Mugese
    Snider Mugese

    Snider Mugese is a finance and investment professional with 9+ years of experience supporting early-stage ventures across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on healthcare and life sciences.

  • Wesley Ooga
    Wesley Ooga

    I am a dedicated digital health professional passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.

  • Prof Sile Yu
    Prof Sile Yu

    A paediatrician and public health practitioner with a special focus on leveraging big data to build predictive models that assist clinicians in diagnosis and treatment, with a particular emphasis on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into frontline healthcare to elevate the quality, accessibility, and efficiency of primary care services.

Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Eye Care Systems in Francophone Africa

What will it take to strengthen and scale eye care across Francophone Africa?

This interactive session explores how countries across the region are addressing persistent barriers to avoidable vision impairment, from workforce shortages and limited funding to weaker partnership ecosystems. It will spotlight practical examples of innovation, training, and government-NGO collaboration that are beginning to shift what is possible.

Key discussion elements

  • Addressing workforce, funding, and partnership barriers
  • Learning from practical examples across Francophone Africa
  • Strengthening training models and government-NGO collaboration
  • Identifying opportunities to scale eye care services across the region

Room: Breakout 4 - Mt Elgon 2 & 3

Moderator

  • Henry Ebong Nkumbe
    Henry Ebong Nkumbe

    Dr. Henry Ebong Nkumbe is a vitreo-retinal surgeon and healthcare executive, serving as CEO and Medical Director of the Magrabi ICO Cameroon Eye Institute (MICEI) in Yaoundé, one of Central Africa’s leading centres for subspecialty eye care.

Speakers

  • Bernard Agbor
    Bernard Agbor

    Bernard Agbor is a seasoned senior eye care programs professional with vast experience in managing eye care projects. He has transformed the eye care landscape over time through impact driven programs and projects in Africa.

  • Benjamin des Gachons
    Benjamin des Gachons

    Benjamin des Gachons is an international development and global health leader with over 20 years of experience designing and delivering high-impact programs across NGOs, philanthropic organizations, and digital civic platforms.

  • Thierry Nassouri
    Thierry Nassouri

    Thierry Rock Nassouri is a distinguished Burkinabè professional who currently serves as the Country Director of GoodVision Burkina Faso. Since taking the helm in November 2021, he has dedicated his leadership to expanding access to essential vision care and cataract surgeries for vulnerable communities, particularly in the country's rural regions.

12:30 - 13:45

Networking, Break for Lunch

12:40 - 13:25
IAPB Membership 101 meeting

New to IAPB or want a refresher on all things membership?

Join Caroline Casey, IAPB President, Peter Holland, IAPB CEO, and Rachael Bourke, IAPB Senior Membership Manager, to find out how to get the most out of IAPB membership and be involved in our activities.

Room: Mount Kenya 1 & 2

13:45 - 15:00
Scaling Core Interventions: High Impact Strategies for Cataract and Refractive Error

How do core interventions for cataract and refractive error achieve population-scale impact while delivering quality visual outcomes?

Cataract and refractive error are among the clearest indicators of whether eye health systems can deliver high-volume, high-quality care at scale. This session will explore how integration, workforce design, service efficiency, financing, and accountability can work together to strengthen effective coverage. In the lead-up to the Global Summit for Eye Health, it will also help clarify the policy, implementation, and financing commitments needed to accelerate progress to 2030.

Key discussion elements

  • Strengthening cataract and refractive error services within health systems
  • Expanding access while maintaining quality visual outcomes
  • Aligning workforce, service delivery, financing, and accountability
  • Identifying commitments needed to accelerate progress towards 2030

Room: Breakout 1 - Mt Kilimanjaro 2 & 3

Moderator

  • Oli Barrett
    Oli Barrett

    Creator of the Build A Better Network Course and Co-founder of Children’s Literacy Campaign TOTS

Speakers

  • Amanda Davis
    Amanda Davis

    Amanda Davis has been working in the area of blindness prevention and public health since 2006. Her experience spans advocacy, education, research, infrastructure development and funding; developing and managing relationships

  • Sumrana Yasmin
    Sumrana Yasmin

    Sumrana Yasmin is the Technical Director of Inclusive Health at Sightsavers, based in Pakistan. She is a public health professional, and her work focuses on developing scalable, inclusive vision and eye care programmes

  • Geoffrey Wabulembo
    Geoffrey Wabulembo

    Senior ophthalmologist and global health leader with extensive experience in clinical care, leadership in ophthalmology faculty positions, and multi-country health programs.

  • Josie Noah
    Josie Noah

    Josie Noah serves as Chief Program Officer at Cure Blindness Project, overseeing program strategy, implementation and regional operations.

  • Jack Hennessy
    Jack Hennessy

    Jack is an internationally recognised economist with extensive experience in health economics research, policy, advocacy, and evaluation.

Masterclass: Six Accelerators, One System: Unlocking Investment to Scale Eye Care by 2030

How can targeted investment unlock system-wide gains in access, affordability, and quality?

This session explores how the six Value of Vision accelerators can strengthen eye care at national scale while demonstrating measurable return on investment. Designed for leaders shaping funding and delivery strategies, it will examine how targeted investment can drive systems change and expand access over the next five years.

Key discussion elements

  • Understanding the six investment accelerators for eye health
  • Exploring how targeted investment can strengthen eye care systems
  • Assessing stakeholder priorities and incentives across government, NGOs, private sector, professionals, and communities
  • Identifying priority accelerators and actions for national or organisational impact

Room: Mount Kenya 1 and 2

Moderators

  • Brenda Mareri
    Brenda Mareri

    Brenda Mareri is a Systems Change Practitioner, Engagement Curator and moderator with 14+ years of cross-sectoral experience in regional food and nutrition development and sustainable development.

  • Njoki Wachira
    Njoki Wachira

    Njoki Wachira has over 15 years of experience working in the health sector in East Africa. She joined Seva Foundation in 2024 as our Africa region Program Officer.

Speaker

  • Fabrizio D'Esposito
    Fabrizio D'Esposito

    Fabrizio is the IAPB Head of Region for the Western Pacific Region. He is a public health specialist with over 15 years’ experience in advocacy, policy, program delivery, and research across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific.

Discussion Leads

  • Shaifali Sharma
    Shaifali Sharma

    Shaifali Sharma is a seasoned development leader with over 20 years of experience spanning national and international organizations, as well as leading corporate CSR initiatives. She currently serves as Country Director, India, and Global Director – Primary Care at the Cure Blindness Project.

  • Gabriel Ogunyemi
    Gabriel Ogunyemi

    Gabriel Ogunyemi is VisionSpring’s Africa Region Director. Gabriel is responsible for all business development and operations in our key markets– Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, Uganda - as well as indirect operations and expansion in other markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Raphael Okumu
    Raphael Okumu

    Academic-Academic excellence in Strategic Human Resource management. Competency skills in Peoples management, work culture, organizational development.

  • Kate Moynihan
    Kate Moynihan

    Kate Moynihan is an impassioned leader and decision-maker who has overseen programs in networked organizations and social enterprises in resource-constrained settings, internationally and in the United States.

  • Jacqueline Grove
    Jacqueline Grove

    Jacqueline Grove is a senior executive and global vision health leader serving as President of 20/20 Quest, National Vision’s Charitable Foundation, and Chief Executive Officer of The Coalition for Clear Vision.

No One Left Behind: Scaling Telehealth Methods

Telehealth can transform access to eye care, but what makes connected care models work at scale?

From remote screening and consultation to coordinated referral pathways and shared data systems, telehealth offers new ways to reach underserved communities and reduce delays in care. Through case examples and discussion, delegates will explore what makes telehealth practical, sustainable, and integrated with wider health systems, and what governments and partners must address to move from pilots to lasting impact.

Key discussion elements

  • Understanding how telehealth can expand access and reduce delays in care
  • Learning from real-world examples of connected care models
  • Exploring the infrastructure, policy, and integration conditions needed for scale
  • Identifying what makes or breaks telehealth models beyond the pilot stage

Room: Mount Kilimanjaro 1

Moderator

  • Reshma Dabideen
    Reshma Dabideen

    Senior global health and development consultant with over 25 years of leadership and advisory experience across Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA and international contexts.

Speakers

  • Hillary Rono
    Hillary Rono

    Dr. Hillary Rono is an ophthalmologist and researcher serving as the Eye Coordinator for Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Rono is a pioneer in delivering eye care to remote, underserved regions and a key leader in the global mission to eliminate avoidable blindness.

  • Caio Abujamra
    Caio Abujamra

    Caio Abujamra is the President of the Suel Abujamra Institute and Co-CEO of the Juntos pela Visão alliance. He assumed leadership of the Institute in 2018, transforming it into the largest provider of ophthalmic services within Brazil’s public health system (SUS).

  • Shintaro Nakayama
    Shintaro Nakayama

    Graduated from Hitotsubashi University Faculty of Law. Former COO/Vice President of Cross Fields. Experience in infrastructure projects in developing countries for 10 years in Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Mitsubishi Corporation, Joined OUI Inc.

  • Ciku Mathenge
    Ciku Mathenge

    Cikũ Mathenge is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Medical Retina specialist. She is a Co- Founder and Director of Training and Research at the Rwanda International Institute of Ophthalmology (RIIO) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Intersectional Approaches to Advancing Equity in Eye Health

How can intersectional approaches help eye health programmes reach those most often left behind?

Intersectional inequities shape who accesses eye care, who is excluded, and whose voices inform programme design. This session brings lived experience and practice-based insight to explore how intersectional approaches can strengthen eye health programming in real-world contexts. Participants will examine how moving beyond single-issue lenses can improve analysis, planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.

Key discussion elements

  • Understanding how intersectional inequities affect access to eye care
  • Bringing lived experience into programme design and decision-making
  • Applying intersectional approaches across planning, implementation, and evaluation
  • Strengthening eye health programmes to better reach excluded communities

Room: Breakout 4 - Mt Elgon 2 & 3

Moderator

  • Caroline Casey
    Caroline Casey

    Caroline Casey is the businesswoman and activist behind The Valuable 500, the world’s largest CEO collective and business move for disability inclusion.

Speakers

  • Samson Waweru
    Samson Waweru

    Samson Waweru is a proven transformational leader as attested by the remarkable achievements undergone by the Kenya Society for the Blind over the last 6 years. He has a background in Political Science and public administration.

  • Jacqueline Ramke
    Jacqueline Ramke

    Jacqui’s research is focused on health equity. Her projects share a common goal of improving access to and outcomes of eye health services, particularly for cataract and refractive error as the leading causes of vision impairment.

  • Renata Watene
    Renata Watene

    Renata Watene is a therapeutically qualified Māori optometrist, award-winning Indigenous eye health leader, and strategic clinical health leader from Aotearoa, with tribal affiliations to Ngā Puhi and Tainui.

15:00 - 15:15

Networking, Break for Tea

15:15 - 16:30
Beyond 2030: What Will Make Eye Health Impossible to Ignore?

Eye health has made significant progress, yet more than a billion people still live with avoidable sight loss. Is this a moment to rethink how vision is positioned on the global stage - not just as a health issue, but as a political, economic and societal priority?

This debate session will challenge established thinking and explore the future of the global eye health agenda beyond 2030. A series of bold motions will be put to those gathered, with speakers arguing for and against, and the audience invited to vote, challenge and contribute.

Join us as we ask: what will it take to make eye health impossible to ignore in the decade ahead?

Room: Breakout 1 - Mt Kilimanjaro 2 & 3

Moderator

  • Oli Barrett
    Oli Barrett

    Creator of the Build A Better Network Course and Co-founder of Children’s Literacy Campaign TOTS

Speakers

  • Rohit Khanna
    Rohit Khanna

    Dr. Rohit C Khanna is the Network Director for the Public Health Unit of L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) – The Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care.

  • Kathleen Sherwin
    Kathleen Sherwin

    With more than 25 years of leadership experience in global health and development, Kathleen is committed to advancing eye health as a global priority and accelerating Orbis International’s impact worldwide as President & CEO.

  • Peter Milo
    Peter Milo

    Peter Milo is the Country Director of The Fred Hollows Foundation in Kenya, where he leads efforts to end avoidable blindness through stronger, more accessible, and integrated eye care services.

  • Brandon Ah Tong
    Brandon Ah Tong

    Brandon is the Director of Global Policy and Advocacy at The Fred Hollows Foundation, with more than 20 years’ experience across the health, disability, human rights, and international development sectors.

WHO Global Research Agenda for Eye Health: Evidence for Action

What high-priority research questions could most advance evidence-shaped action in global eye health?

This session will present the first public findings from the WHO Global Research Agenda for Eye Health project. It will outline priority research questions across cataract, refractive error, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and child eye health, and look ahead to the action needed to answer them.

Key discussion elements

  • Presenting the findings of the WHO Global Research Agenda for Eye Health project
  • Identifying key research priorities across major eye health areas
  • Exploring how research can support evidence-shaped action
  • Considering the next steps needed to turn priority questions into action

Room: Breakout 2 - Mt Kilimanjaro 1

Moderator

  • Matthew Burton
    Matthew Burton

    Matthew Burton is the Director of the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) and Professor of Global Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. ICEH is an international team of clinicians, scientists, economists and public health specialists, focused on research, education and capacity strengthening for global eye health.

Speakers

  • Abigail Steinberg
    Abigail Steinberg

    Abigail Steinberg (“Abi”) is the Executive Director of the Eyeglasses Initiative at the Livelihood Impact Fund, managing a diverse portfolio of 25+ organizations across 15+ countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. 

  • Sumrana Yasmin
    Sumrana Yasmin

    Sumrana Yasmin is the Technical Director of Inclusive Health at Sightsavers, based in Pakistan. She is a public health professional, and her work focuses on developing scalable, inclusive vision and eye care programmes

  • Oteri Okolo
    Oteri Okolo

    Dr. Oteri Eme OKOLO is a visionary public eye health ophthalmologist with expertise in program management and coordination, advocacy, stakeholder engagement and partnership building.

  • Sucheta Kulkarni
    Sucheta Kulkarni

    Sucheta is an Ophthalmologist and a public health specialist. She hasover 28 years of professional experience in eye care services and a vast experience of training over 300 ophthalmologists and 100 allied ophthalmic personnel.

  • Stuart Keel
    Stuart Keel

    Dr Stuart Keel leads the work on Vision and Eye Care in the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, at the World Health Organization headquarters in Geneva.

  • Nyawira Mwangi
    Nyawira Mwangi

    I am Dr Nyawira Mwangi, working at the intersection of eye heath, health systems, research, education and administration.

  • Jude Stern
    Jude Stern

    Jude leads the IAPB knowledge agenda and team. Highlights from recent work include co-authoring The Value of Vision: the Case for Investing in Eye Health, the increase of use of the transformed Vision Atlas, the programme for IN SIGHT LIVE events, the Young Systems Leaders programme and the re-energised member engagement groups.

  • Fatima Kyari
    Fatima Kyari

    Prof. Fatima Kyari is the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), where she provides strategic leadership for the regulation of medical and dental practice, professional conduct, and training standards nationwide.

  • Jacqueline Ramke
    Jacqueline Ramke

    Jacqui’s research is focused on health equity. Her projects share a common goal of improving access to and outcomes of eye health services, particularly for cataract and refractive error as the leading causes of vision impairment.

Revisiting the Care Pathway: Lived Experience & the Demand - Continuity Challenge

Where and why do people fall out of the eye care pathway?

Led by voices with lived experience, this session explores how people-centred design can increase demand, strengthen trust and continuity, and improve effective coverage. It connects system performance directly to lived outcomes and examines how practical pathway improvements can sustain engagement with care.

Key discussion elements

  • Identifying where and why demand for eye care breaks down across the pathway
  • Understanding how gaps in continuity affect uptake, equity, and system performance
  • Exploring how lived experience can inform people-centred service design
  • Co-designing practical pathway improvements aligned with the 2030 In Sight strategy

Room: Breakout 3 - Mt Kenya 1 & 2

Moderator

  • Brenda Mareri
    Brenda Mareri

    Brenda Mareri is a Systems Change Practitioner, Engagement Curator and moderator with 14+ years of cross-sectoral experience in regional food and nutrition development and sustainable development.

Speakers

  • Josie Noah
    Josie Noah

    Josie Noah serves as Chief Program Officer at Cure Blindness Project, overseeing program strategy, implementation and regional operations.

  • Anne Makau
    Anne Makau

    I’m a public health professional based in Nairobi County, Kenya, currently serving as a Deputy Sub-County Community Coordinator and Community Health Officer Kibra Subcounty.

  • Samson Waweru
    Samson Waweru

    Samson Waweru is a proven transformational leader as attested by the remarkable achievements undergone by the Kenya Society for the Blind over the last 6 years. He has a background in Political Science and public administration.

  • Aurelia Tanki
    Aurelia Tanki

    Aurelia Tanki is a Certified Human Resources practitioner working as a Human Resource Business Partner at Amaco Insurance. She is also a Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) advocate with lived experience of navigating the challenges of visible eye-related conditions.

Ancestral Intelligence: Seeking wisdom through ancestral knowledge and ways of knowing, being and doing

How can Indigenous knowledge and leadership shape more equitable eye care systems?

Ancestral knowledge and Indigenous worldviews are crucial to creating equitable outcomes with Indigenous communities. In this session, delegates will hear from Indigenous experts and explore how Indigenous leadership, innovation, and strengths-based approaches can be better integrated into eye care systems. The session will also consider the role of allies in supporting Indigenous Peoples’ eye care outcomes and invite participants to reflect on how these insights can challenge practice in their own context.

Key discussion elements

  • Recognising the role of Indigenous knowledge, leadership, and worldviews in eye health equity
  • Learning from Indigenous Peoples’ experiences and expertise
  • Understanding the role of allies in supporting and advancing Indigenous Peoples’ eye care outcomes
  • Reflecting on how to apply these insights within participants’ own spheres of influence

Room: Breakout 4 - Mt Elgon 2 & 3

Moderator

  • Jaki Adams
    Jaki Adams

    Jaki has over 30 years’ experience in government and non-government/international development sectors. In 2025 joined the Lowitja Institute as the Executive Manager Research and Knowledge Translation.

Speakers

  • Melesse Akalu
    Melesse Akalu

    A social development professional with more than 18 years’ experience in programme development and management. Currently leading the programme team of Sightsavers Pakistan Country Office.

  • Danny Teece
    Danny Teece

    A Gomeroi man from Moree, NSW, Danny is a communications and engagement professional and filmmaker with nearly 25 years’ experience in purpose-driven storytelling. Inspired by the work of Jaki Adams, he brought his skills to The Fred Hollows Foundation to help close the gap in eye health for Indigenous Australians.

  • Tsedeke Alemu
    Tsedeke Alemu

    Dr Tsedeke is a consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon with a Master’s degree in Medical Education. He is an active researcher with publications in ophthalmology and medical education, focusing on practical challenges in training, service delivery, and health systems to inform policy and practice.

  • Renata Watene
    Renata Watene

    Renata Watene is a therapeutically qualified Māori optometrist, award-winning Indigenous eye health leader, and strategic clinical health leader from Aotearoa, with tribal affiliations to Ngā Puhi and Tainui.

16:30 - 16:45

Sessions close for Closing Plenary - Day 3

16:45 - 17:15

Closing Plenary - Day 3 (Mt Kilimanjaro)

All Day

Poster Display & Innovation Showcase (Mt Kenya 3 & Mt Elgon 1)

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