Global Appeal 2026Global Appeal 2026
The appeal will be launched at a ceremony in Brussels, Belgium, on Thursday, 29 January 2026. The event is being co-hosted by Education International and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative, in partnership with the Damien Foundation.
Since its establishment by the Initiative in 2006, the Global Appeal has been an annual call to action, aiming to mobilize different sectors of society—ranging from religious leaders and Nobel laureates to nurses and legal professionals—to sign a collective pledge to eliminate the social barriers surrounding leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease.
Although leprosy is often perceived as a disease of the past, it remains a health and human rights issue. In 2024, 172,717 new cases were reported from 133 countries. Millions of people worldwide live with leprosy-related disabilities, a reality that continues to fuel stigma and discrimination.
Addressing the misconceptions that perpetuate this injustice requires the transformative power of education. This is the message that Education International delivers through the Global Appeal 2026. As the global voice of teachers and education workers, Education International pledges to use its collective voice to promote knowledge, empathy and action, working toward a society in which the dignity of all individuals is upheld.
The launch event, which will be live-streamed worldwide, will bring together persons affected by leprosy, educators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, education unions, and civil society organizations, to reaffirm their shared commitment to dignity, inclusion and the principle of leaving no one behind.
The event will feature testimonials from persons affected by leprosy from Brazil, India, Indonesia and Senegal whose stories highlight the persistence of stigma even after medical cure. There will also be a panel discussion and a multi-stakeholder dialogue.
On the morning of the event, a delegation of persons affected by leprosy and participating stakeholders shall be received in audience by Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.
Time: 13:30 – 18:30 (CET)Program: https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/latest-updates/initiative-news/6359/Streaming URL: https://eur.cvent.me/vvlkdx
About leprosy
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. In 2024, 172,717 new cases were reported worldwide. Although leprosy is curable, delayed diagnosis and treatment can result in permanent disability. Beyond the physical toll, many people who have experienced leprosy continue to face deep-seated stigma and systemic discrimination, which prevents them from participating fully in society.
About Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative
The Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative is a strategic alliance of WHO Goodwill Ambassador Yohei Sasakawa, the Sasakawa Health Foundation, and The Nippon Foundation for achieving a world without leprosy and problems related to the disease. Since 1975, the Initiative has contributed over US$200 million to support national leprosy programs through the WHO. It is also committed to empowering persons affected by leprosy and their organizations. The Initiative has played a key role in raising leprosy as a human rights issue at the UN, resulting in several resolutions to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families.
About Education International
Education International is the Global Union Federation that brings together organizations of teachers and other education employees from across the world. Through our 375 member organizations, we represent more than 33 million teachers and education support personnel in 180 countries and territories.
About Damien Foundation
Damien Foundation is a Belgian medical non-profit organization that works to support people with tuberculosis and skin-related neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy and leishmaniasis.
For over 60 years, we have shared this expertise in the area of public health by building solid partnerships wherever we go, to support vulnerable populations and help advance research.
We work to strengthen healthcare systems in support of, and at the request of, the national authorities of 13 countries.
Our mission is to provide equal access to robust health services throughout the world including Belgium, ensuring that no one suffers or dies from diseases that can be prevented and cured.
``` [Source link ](http://www.prnasia.com/story/archive/4869725_CN69725_0?rand=89749) ``` This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network ``` ##### You May Also Like [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/eqt-raises-asia-pacifics-largest-private-equity-fund-closing-bpea-ix-at-usd-15-6-billion-in-total-commitments/) ## EQT raises Asia Pacific's largest private equity fund, closing BPEA IX at USD 15.6 billion in total commitments EQT BPEA IX oversubscribed; closes at USD 15.6 billion in total commitments… - [CISION PRNewswire](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/author/cision/ "View all posts by CISION PRNewswire") - April 21, 2026 [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/dxc-introduces-new-assure-smart-apps-to-accelerate-insurers-ai-powered-transformation/)  - [Press Release](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/category/press-release/) ## DXC Introduces New Assure Smart Apps to Accelerate Insurers' AI-Powered Transformation DXC Assure Smart Apps provide modular, pre-built, AI-driven workflows that deliver business… - [CISION PRNewswire](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/author/cision/ "View all posts by CISION PRNewswire") - April 9, 2026 [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/dbs-partners-with-ascenda-to-grow-premium-rewards-impact/)  - [Press Release](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/category/press-release/) ## DBS partners with Ascenda to grow premium rewards impact HONG KONG, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ascenda, the loyalty commerce network… - [CISION PRNewswire](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/author/cision/ "View all posts by CISION PRNewswire") - April 27, 2026 ##### Most Read - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/priority-pass-to-accelerate-travel-innovation-backed-by-the-collinson-groups-500-million-growth-programme-2/ "Priority Pass to accelerate travel innovation, backed by the Collinson Group's £500 million growth programme") [Priority Pass to accelerate travel innovation, backed by the Collinson Group's £500 million growth programme](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/priority-pass-to-accelerate-travel-innovation-backed-by-the-collinson-groups-500-million-growth-programme-2/ "Priority Pass to accelerate travel innovation, backed by the Collinson Group's £500 million growth programme") - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/img-completes-acquisition-of-world-nomads-expanding-global-travel-insurance-distribution/ "IMG Completes Acquisition of World Nomads, Expanding Global Travel Insurance Distribution") [IMG Completes Acquisition of World Nomads, Expanding Global Travel Insurance Distribution](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/img-completes-acquisition-of-world-nomads-expanding-global-travel-insurance-distribution/ "IMG Completes Acquisition of World Nomads, Expanding Global Travel Insurance Distribution") - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/modern-meadow-and-bellroy-partner-on-carry-products-made-of-next-generation-material/ "Modern Meadow and Bellroy Partner on Carry Products Made of Next-Generation Material") [Modern Meadow and Bellroy Partner on Carry Products Made of Next-Generation Material](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/modern-meadow-and-bellroy-partner-on-carry-products-made-of-next-generation-material/ "Modern Meadow and Bellroy Partner on Carry Products Made of Next-Generation Material") - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/dorco-wins-2026-red-dot-award-for-renewed-corporate-identity/ "DORCO Wins 2026 Red Dot Award for Renewed Corporate Identity") [DORCO Wins 2026 Red Dot Award for Renewed Corporate Identity](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/dorco-wins-2026-red-dot-award-for-renewed-corporate-identity/ "DORCO Wins 2026 Red Dot Award for Renewed Corporate Identity") - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/tamarind-health-launches-rare-cancer-centre-to-make-specialist-expertise-easier-to-access/ "Tamarind Health launches Rare Cancer Centre to make specialist expertise easier to access") [Tamarind Health launches Rare Cancer Centre to make specialist expertise easier to access](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/tamarind-health-launches-rare-cancer-centre-to-make-specialist-expertise-easier-to-access/ "Tamarind Health launches Rare Cancer Centre to make specialist expertise easier to access") - [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/memomind-one-rolls-out-new-features-and-prepares-for-a-new-stage-of-developer-access/ "MemoMind One Rolls Out New Features and Prepares for a New Stage of Developer Access") [MemoMind One Rolls Out New Features and Prepares for a New Stage of Developer Access](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/memomind-one-rolls-out-new-features-and-prepares-for-a-new-stage-of-developer-access/ "MemoMind One Rolls Out New Features and Prepares for a New Stage of Developer Access") ##### Subscribe via Email Enter your email address to subscribe and receive notifications of new posts by email. Email Address Subscribe [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/discovering-indonesia-through-experiences-beyond-the-ordinary/)  ## Discovering Indonesia Through Experiences Beyond the Ordinary SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —… [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/vestas-powers-up-vietnams-clean-energy-ambitions-with-two-new-projects-under-pdp8-totaling-16-wind-turbines/)  ## Vestas Powers Up Vietnam's Clean Energy Ambitions with Two New Projects Under PDP8 Totaling 16 Wind Turbines HANOI, Vietnam, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vestas has been awarded contracts… [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/iqiyi-aigc-series-the-ferry-man-exceeds-rmb-8-million-in-revenue-sharing-as-third-instalment-debuts-on-october-1/) ![iQIYI AIGC Series "The Ferry Man" Exceeds RMB 8 Million in Revenue-Sharing as Third Instalment Debuts on October 1](https://i0.wp.com/mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS2001352/20261001223355EDT_image_1.jpg?resize=260%2C140&ssl=1 "iQIYI AIGC Series "The Ferry Man" Exceeds RMB 8 Million in Revenue-Sharing as Third Instalment Debuts on October 1") ## iQIYI AIGC Series "The Ferry Man" Exceeds RMB 8 Million in Revenue-Sharing as Third Instalment Debuts on October 1 BEIJING, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — iQIYI, China’s leading online… [](https://thailandbusinessnews.net/press-release/ifs-capital-signs-inaugural-msme-loan-securitisation-programme/) ## IFS Capital signs inaugural MSME loan securitisation programme S$79 million securitisation transaction backed by a portfolio of MSME loans secured…