“Having a sense of belonging to something bigger than oneself, bigger than one’s community, bigger than one’s country, has proven to be instrumental in restoring self-confidence and instilling a feeling in each person, no matter where they live, that they are part of the process, that they have a contribution to make, that their voice will be heard.”

This sentence is in the opening paragraph of IDEA’s 2007 Annual Report. The International Association for Integration Dignity and Economic Advancement of people affected by leprosy has identified its international network of support as the key link to all of its strategies. It firmly believes that the network it has created has been crucial in eliminating stigma.

In 2007, IDEA extended its international network of support to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Latvia, Romania, Taiwan, Province of China and Ukraine.*

It also became a partner of organisations with allegiances beyond leprosy.  Importantly representatives of IDEA are exploring ways to become a partner of organisations involved with human rights, as well as how to bring attention to the issue of the human rights of people affected by leprosy to the United Nations, its members and other international organisations. This includes participating in 60^th Anniversary celebrations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, promoting IDEA’s international Day of Dignity and Respect internationally and joining a Conference of non-governmental organisations in consultative relationship with the United Nations and which have an NGO Committee on Human Rights.

Click here for the IDEA Activity Report January – December 2007.

* On 20^th May 2008 The Leprosy Mission Sudan launched IDEA Sudan during their First Empowerment Workshop.

Click here to read article about the launch of IDEA Sudan. 

Categories: News and Notes