LONDON—The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) is still accepting nominations for the IAPB Young Systems Leader Awards, a new initiative designed to empower and amplify the voices of early-career professionals driving transformative change in eye health. This new award is a call for “Systems Thinkers,” young professionals working in the eye health sector who are shifting the paradigm to tackle avoidable sight loss. The IAPB Young Systems Leader Awards will shine a spotlight on exceptional young professionals (less than 35 years of age) who embody critical systems thinking. Deadlines for submissions are March 4. Details and criteria for nominating a candidate are posted here, and nominations are open to IAPB member organizations.

"The future of eye health rests on the shoulders of this next generation," said IAPB president, Caroline Casey. "The IAPB Young Systems Leader Awards celebrates the brilliance, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit that will define the future of eye health and change the lives of so many for the better. By investing in these inspiring young professionals, IAPB wants to empower them to champion systems change and ensure everyone, everywhere has access to quality eyecare."

The initiative has at its heart IAPB’s 2030 In Sight Strategy, driving the eye health sector to move beyond isolated interventions, calling on individuals and organizations to embrace a holistic systems approach, seamlessly integrating eyecare within health systems and demonstrating its vital role in other sectors and settings.

 
 
Award recipients will be able to take center stage at the upcoming eye health conference put on by IAPB this spring, 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Mexico, where they can also interconnect and meet senior-level professionals and IAPB's Casey at pre-arranged meetings. They will also be able to share their insights with the global eye health community through an opinion piece or Q&A published on the IAPB Knowledge Hub and social media channel. Candidates must be available June 26-27 to be able to attend the online program and 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE Mexico.

Up to 10 Systems Leaders will be chosen based on a commitment to systems thinking. Candidates must be less than 35 years of age as of June 30, 2024.

IAPB's upcoming 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Mexico will be held June 26-27 in Mexico City. It is planned to exclusively bring together people to find solutions to one of the world's biggest challenges, ensuring eye health is available to all by 2030. There will be a lineup of distinguished keynote speakers, expert-led sessions and interactive workshops at the event.

IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eye health sector, with more than 200 organizations in over 100 countries working together for a world where everyone has universal access to eyecare.