Global Appeal 2022

Online Ceremony

This year, Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative has invited the world’s philanthropic foundations to join the call for an end to the marginalization of persons who have experienced leprosy and the realization of a just and equitable society that respects the human dignity and fundamental freedoms of all its members.

Video messages and the text of the Appeal are now available.

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Opening Remarks

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Mr. Yohei Sasakawa

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination,
Chairman of The Nippon Foundation

Addresses by Guests

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Her Excellency Ms. Damares Alves

Minister of Women, Family and Human Rights, Brazil

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Mr. Oleg Ouss

Chairman of the Board,
Raoul Follereau Foundation

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Ms. Yuliati Gowa

PerMaTa South Sulawesi,
People’s Organization of Indonesia

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Mr. Md. Roknuzzaman Rokan

Advancing Leprosy and disadvantaged peoples Opportunities （ALO）Society,
People’s Organization of Bangladesh

Global Appeal 2022

In recent times, we have seen how fear of disease has changed people’s behavior, creating divisions in society and widening inequalities.

Leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, has had this effect.
It is one of the world’s oldest recorded infectious diseases.

In the past, people with leprosy were ostracized out of fear of infection.
It was seen by some as a divine punishment or a curse.

Leprosy is now curable, but myths and misconceptions remain.
Even today, persons affected by leprosy and their families continue to face social rejection in various parts of the world, and this has been made harder to bear by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

As foundations, we are committed to contributing to the public good.
Addressing social injustice and building a better world is at the heart of what we do.

Discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families is an issue of human rights.

No one should be stigmatized on the basis of a disease.

In the spirit of philanthropy, we call for a society in which everyone can live a dignified life enjoying all their basic rights.

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