1. Advocacy success strategies in EMR and lessons learnt Dr. Abdulaziz AlRajhi Executive Co-Chair, IAPB-EMR Dr. Mansur Rabiu Director of Programs Director of Programs

2. Advocacy Advocacy is the process of influencing people to create change. Advocacy uses information in deliberate and strategic ways to change perceptions and to influence decision-making Advocacy ≠ education Basic principle: WHO Advocacy If you do not ASK for it, you will not GET it.

3. Decision makers Decisions makers are the target of most advocacy efforts. International – UN agencies- WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, World Bank etc – Corporate bodies, Networks, Groups and movements etc. – NGOs National – Governments, Local NGOs, Civil societies – Community & religious, leaders, celebrities Professional – Professional medical organizations at international, regional and national levels

4. What about the media? The media can get key messages to both decision makers and influencers. Need to work effectively with the media, as part of an overall advocacy plan. Provide items tailored especially for the needs of journalists (reproduction quality images, broadcast footage, pre-packaged print and video media features). WHO Advocacy

5. Advocacy

6. EMR EMR has 23 countries

7. Some major advocacy successes of the EMR All 23 EMR countries have –signed the Vision 2020 declaration, –established PB committees with a National coordinator –developed a national plan Actively secured the support of all the EMR countries for the major WHA resolutions –WHA 56.26 in 2003, WHA 59.25 in 2006 and the WHA 62.1 in 2009 including the Action plan for prevention of blindness Securing support of all EMR countries to request WHO to develop a follow up action plan for the prevention of blindness 2013-2019

8. EMR Advocacy successes Secured the approval of all EMR countries to request the inclusion of eye health in the GPW (general program of work) of WHO for the period 2013-2019 IAPB-EMR Chair routinely addresses the EMR Health ministers during their annual WHO EMRO meetings Development in collaboration with WHO EMRO regional specific guidelines for control of some major blinding conditions and eye health programs like Diabetic Retinopathy 2006, Glaucoma 2009, School Eye Health 2009, Primary Eye Care 2011 etc.

9. The EMR Experience

10. Do Your Homework

11. Know what you want

12. Make Your Message Clear

13. Know whom you are talking to

14. Know His/Her Keys

15. Never Give Up

16. Don’t Contradict Yourself

17. Don’t be intimidated

18. Pick Your Fights!

19. Win Win Solution

20. If Plan A Fails Have Plan B and C !!!

21. Just When You Think That You Have Won…..

22. Info@PBU.org