MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR
State leaders make a difference
On Nov. 12, Bangladesh held the “2nd National Leprosy Conference 2023” in Dhaka. The event follows up on the first National Leprosy Conference, held in December 2019,… Read More
REPORT
Bangladesh’s Second National Leprosy Conference
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with support from the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, held the 2nd National Leprosy Conference in Dhaka on Nov. 12, 2023. Read more
REPORT
New “reparation law” in Brazil comes with official apology to children separated from their parents
On Nov. 24, 2023, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marked a significant chapter in Brazil’s history by promulgating Law 14736 and calling it a “historical reparation for the mistakes of the Brazilian state.” Read more
LETTER
New UN Special Rapporteur invites all to explore together ways to achieve social justice
On Nov. 1, 2023, I was appointed Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy (Hansen’s disease) and their family members. Read more
REPORT
Bergen holds world’s first international film festival on Hansen’s disease
The Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative, in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Leprosy Museum, worked with the Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF) to offer the Armauer Hansen International Film Festival Oct. 24–26, 2023. Read more
AMBASADDOR’S JOURNAL
Goodwill Ambassador visits Bergen, Norway, and Dhaka, Bangladesh
WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa made a whirlwind trip to Bergen, Norway, to attend the opening of the Armauer Hansen International Film Festival on Oct. 24, 2023. Read more
ANNOUNCEMENT
New book published about the work of the Goodwill Ambassador
In 2001, Yohei Sasakawa was appointed WHO Special Ambassador to the Global Alliance for Elimination of Leprosy (GAEL). Following GAEL’s dissolution, the appointment was retitled WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. Read more
