[PDFlist] Get Ready for the 2025 World Blindness Summit & WBU General Assembly! *Important Deadlines*

[Martine Abel-Williamson]

Friends and colleagues,
FYI and distribution. Please consider applying to present and/or attending to join many others.
I’d love to catch up with all in September.
M
Martine Abel-Williamson – WBU president


From: World Blind Union <info at wbu.ngo>
Sent: Friday, 7 March 2025 12:00 am
Subject: Get Ready for the 2025 World Blindness Summit & WBU General Assembly! *Important Deadlines*

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Join Us in São Paulo for the Biggest Gathering of the Global Blind Community

The World Blind Union (WBU) is thrilled to invite you to the 2025 World Blindness Summit and WBU General Assembly, taking place September 1–5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil. This is a historic event—the first time ever in South America and the first in-person gathering in nearly a decade since Orlando in 2016.

We are proud to be working alongside Organização Nacional de Cegos do Brasil (ONCB) and the Brazilian Paralympic Committee to bring you an inspiring, dynamic, and impactful event.

Event Overview

  *   September 1 (Evening): Opening Ceremony
  *   September 2–3: World Blindness Summit – Featuring global leaders, experts, and advocates addressing the most pressing issues for blind and partially sighted people.
  *   September 4–5: WBU General Assembly – Where we elect WBU’s next leadership and set the strategic direction for the coming four years.
  *   Technology Expo: Explore the latest innovations in assistive technology, products, and services designed to enhance accessibility and independence.
Stay tuned—registration and the official event website are coming soon!

A One-of-a-Kind Global Gathering

There is no other event like this. The World Blindness Summit brings together the entire global blind movement to share knowledge, debate key issues, and shape the future. This is where we, as a community, determine our priorities and define what matters to us.
Expect engaging keynotes, panels, and interactive workshops led by experts from all over the world. Topics will span accessibility, digital inclusion, employment, education, advocacy, and more.

Do you have a great idea for a presentation? We welcome submissions! If you or your organization would like to speak at the Summit, please submit your name, topic of interest, abstract, and relevant details to ga2025 at wbu.ngo<mailto:ga2025 at wbu.ngo>. We will feature a diverse range of formats, from keynotes to panel discussions and workshops.

WBU General Assembly: Leadership Elections & Governance

The WBU General Assembly is where members elect the International Table Officers and vote on key decisions that will shape the organization for years to come.

Leadership Nominations:

Nominations for WBU Table Officer positions (President, two Vice Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretary General) must be received by June 1, 2025, to be included in pre-conference materials. Nominations received after June 1 will still be accepted but will not be circulated to delegates ahead of the Assembly.

Eligibility Requirements:

  *   Candidates must be blind or partially sighted as defined in the WBU Constitution.
  *   Nominations must be supported in writing by a majority of the delegation from the candidate’s home country.
  *   The nominating country must be in good financial standing with WBU.
For full details on the nomination process, refer to Article IV, Section 6 of the WBU Constitution. Available on our website here.<https://worldblindunion.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c3d30465cab01af49cfca7e8d&id=b63fc6de7a&e=f610da12c7>

Constitutional Amendments:

The General Assembly also holds the power to amend the WBU Constitution. Amendments must be proposed by the Executive Committee or by two or more national, grouped, or special members representing at least seven delegates.

Deadline to submit proposed amendments: May 1, 2025
Final amendment text will be circulated six weeks prior to the Assembly

Recognizing Outstanding Achievements

The WBU General Assembly is also a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of blind and partially sighted individuals. Information on WBU awards and honors will be shared separately, including:

  *   Women’s Empowerment Award
  *   Louis Braille Medal
  *   Honorary Life Memberships
These awards recognize trailblazers in advocacy, leadership, and inclusion, and we look forward to honoring those making a lasting impact.

Stay Tuned & Get Ready to Join Us!

This is your chance to be part of the most important event for the global blind community. Whether you’re attending, presenting, or engaging in discussions that will shape the future, we can’t wait to welcome you to São Paulo.

Registration and event details coming soon!

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at ga2025 at wbu.ngo<mailto:ga2025 at wbu.ngo>.

We look forward to seeing you in Brazil!

The World Blind Union Team
Together Towards Inclusion

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Copyright 2025 World Blind Union
President: Mrs. Martine Abel-Williamson, Chief Executive Officer: Mr. Marc Workman
Address: 1929 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON Canada M4G 3E8

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