Sustainability
The United Nations' global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set the direction for our future. Our contribution: We want all people worldwide to have permanent access to affordable, high-quality basic optical care. Good vision for almost 1 billion people is one of the most important prerequisites for advancing the 2030 Agenda.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
The 2030 Agenda contains five key messages
- Putting human dignity at the center,
- protecting the planet, respecting ecological limits, preserving natural resources,
- promote prosperity for all and make lifestyles sustainable,
- promote peace and protect human rights,
- build global partnerships together.
Our work makes a significant contribution to achieving the following sustainability goals:
No Poverty (SDG 1)
Good vision paves the way to economic and social participation and is therefore also a key prerequisite for overcoming poverty.
Zero Hunger (SDG 2)
We see links between poor eyesight and the ability to produce and consume staple foods.
Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)
We are committed to providing optical care. This includes eye tests, the provision of glasses, education about eye health and referral to necessary eye operations.
Quality Education (SDG 4)
Good eyesight is the basis for children, young people and adults learning to read, write and do arithmetic.
Gender Equality (SDG 5)
We pay for the same function and performance regardless of gender. At the same time, it is important to open up opportunities for women in particular in their social environment. By giving them their own fixed income, which gives them more say in their own marriage, as in India, or enables them to return to work after having children and also promotes them to management positions.
Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
The proceeds from the sale of the glasses enable the locally trained spectacle producers and opticians to earn a living for themselves and their families. We offer jobs to people who would otherwise have no chance of employment due to physical limitations, for example. Fair pay is always a matter of course for us.
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
With our eye camps, we go to the most remote and poorest regions of our program countries. It is precisely there that basic eye care is usually lacking. With our ongoing work, we want to provide the impetus to build infrastructure or create it ourselves.
Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10)
We mainly employ local people in our program countries and thus contribute to their social and economic participation. It is important to us to provide women in particular with employment so that they can lead a more self-determined life.
Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12)
Our glasses are manufactured without electricity. They are extremely robust and durable. The glasses are also affordable for particularly poor people and can be easily repaired by our trained technicians.
Climate Action (SDG 13)
We support our local organizations with a separate funding pot for active climate protection projects, which are awarded via an application process based on the respective reviewed concept.
Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
Our organization works through operational partner organizations in the various program countries in cooperation with the local authorities. We cooperate with other NGOs and are an active member of various organizations for the mutual improvement of our work.