Clearly E-Book

James Chen

• Herausgeber: Biteback Publishing
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2017

Beschreibung

Poor vision is the largest unaddressed disability in the world today. An estimated 2.5 billion people, mostly living in the poorest parts of the planet and a majority of whom are women, cannot see Clearly and have no access to treatment. Yet for 80 per cent of the 2.5 billion, all they need is a simple pair of prescription spectacles. Tackling this problem would unlock billions of dollars in productivity gains. It would give young people a better chance in school, would help women live better lives, and is critical to eliminating poverty. However, despite the potentially huge return on investment, basic eye care is low on the list of priorities for poor countries and donors. In this extraordinary book, businessman and philanthropist James Chen asks why this should be, and describes his mission to help the world to see. In Clearly, Chen reveals the personal stories of some of those afflicted and identifies the barriers to delivering access to glasses for all. He delivers a passionate call to governments to act and calls on business, technology and medicine to come together and find a solution to this global problem.

Leseprobe

“Clearly performs an important service in bringing the issue of poor vision to the world’s attention. The Clearly campaign, and this book, vividly shows us the cost, in human and economic terms, of so many of our fellow citizens being unable to see. New technology offers millions of the world’s visually impaired ways to see and to turn text into audio. It is time for the world to act fast. If we fail to act, those left behind will never catch up.”

GORDON BROWN, FORMER UK PRIME MINISTER

“With his Clearly campaign and this excellent book, James Chen has shone a light on an issue the world must now address. Too many of our fellow citizens suffer from poor vision for no other reason than they have never had access to an eye test and glasses. The cost in personal and economic terms is enormous. Good sight is the key to achieving many of our development goals. With his wonderful Vision for a Nation organisation in Rwanda, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, James has shown a visionary way forward. Governments across the developing world should follow their example. This is an important book. Health and economic ministers everywhere no longer have an excuse for ignoring the problem of correctable poor vision.”

ANDREW MITCHELL, FORMER UK SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

“I admire James Chen’s mission to help the billions of people on our planet with poor vision. In a world where we have made unprecedented progress, it is unforgivable that so many still struggle to see clearly. The time for the whole world to see has come.”

HELLE THORNING-SCHMIDT, CEO OF SAVE THE CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF DENMARK

“James Chen is living proof that often the greatest progress for humanity can come from personal setback for one human being. From a failed eye test when he applied for a driving permit was born Chen’s lifelong obsession to help the whole world see.

With 2.5 billion people unable to see properly, and unable to get basic eye care, Chen and his Clearly campaign are leaders in highlighting the greatest unmet disability of our times. They have shown, in Rwanda, how this problem can be fixed. And now he is determined to fix it for the world. This is a compelling story, well told, of that rare thing in the world – someone with a really bold vision who has the resources, the determination and the inspiration to make it happen.”

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL, WRITER, COMMUNICATOR AND STRATEGIST, FORMER BRITISH PRIME MINISTER TONY BLAIR’S DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

“James Chen has dedicated his life’s work to ensuring that everyone has access to basic eye care. Poor vision affects 2.5 billion people. Despite readily available solutions, access to basic eye care remains a barrier, leaving many unable to see properly.

Chen and his Clearly campaign recognise that health is a human right and have addressed the problem of poor vision in Rwanda by supporting the Ministry of Health to integrate eye care in the primary health system. Together, we have shown that good eye care does not just improve general wellness, but also has a fantastic economic return for individuals, families, local communities, and the entire country.

Chen’s new mission is to improve eye-care services for the entire world. This is the compelling story of how one man with a bold vision and an unwavering passion invested his resources to make his dreams a reality.”

PROFESSOR AGNES BINAGWAHO, VICE-CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF GLOBAL HEALTH EQUITY, FORMER MINISTER OF HEALTH, RWANDA

“As a lifetime wearer of specs, I was shocked to learn that a third of the world’s population cannot see properly purely because they have never had access to an eye test and the glasses they need to go about their daily lives. As James rightly says, it is unacceptable and it is a scandal that the world must address. The economics are a no-brainer. Helping people see will increase the world’s productivity and boost the learning of young people.

More important than that, it will make a huge difference to the quality of life of the 2.5 billion people who just need a pair of glasses. This book is a wake-up call. I hope it inspires the people who have the power to make things right to do just that.

James Chen is a true visionary whose Clearly campaign and this totally excellent book has done an enormous service to the world.”

KEVIN CAHILL CBE, FORMER CEO AND HONORARY LIFE PRESIDENT OF COMIC RELIEF

“In Clearly, philanthropist James Chen highlights a global problem too long neglected: the 2.5 billion people worldwide who cannot see clearly, but for whom a simple pair of glasses is beyond their reach. With one-third of the global population affected, poor vision may be the largest unaddressed disability in the world today.

Poor vision is a barrier to progress on so many levels, hindering education, employment opportunities and productivity. Chen presents the barriers people face in the developing world to acquiring glasses – a 700-year-old invention – as well as ready solutions to eliminate these barriers. It is a must-read for any policy maker who is serious about education, poverty reduction, closing the equity gap and achieving the 2030 development goals. In health costs and lost productivity alone, poor vision carries a global cost of trillions of dollars per year.

This book is just what we need to kickstart action and drive the change needed – to work together so no one is left behind for lack of a pair of glasses.”

JUSTIN FORSYTH, DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNICEF

“I am excited to endorse this book both in my role as CEO of Sightsavers and personally as someone whose extreme short-sightedness was discovered at a school screening programme when I was six. Sightsavers is dedicated to fighting avoidable visual impairment in developing countries, whether that be through strengthening eye health systems or ensuring people are able to access eye tests and spectacles. The issue has not had the attention it deserves – poor eyesight makes it more difficult to get a good education, hampers job opportunities and therefore damages economies. It also means people miss out on beautiful sights – a sunrise, their grandchildren – things beyond price. So I welcome James Chen’s involvement wholeheartedly.”

CAROLINE HARPER, CEO OF SIGHTSAVERS

“Right now, life as we know it is being disrupted by a technological revolution. Yet 2.5 billion people are being left out of benefiting from progress because they lack something so basic – a pair of glasses.

Through his work with Clearly, James Chen reveals the mind-boggling problem of a world where inventions from drones and 3D printing to virtual reality are becoming commonplace, but we haven’t found a way to put a pair of glasses on the noses of everyone with poor eyesight.

His mission to bring pioneering entrepreneurs and new technology together, to mobilise this old invention for the good of everyone, is as uplifting as it is innovative. A true visionary.”

RUSS SHAW, FOUNDER OF GLOBAL TECH ADVOCATES AND TECH LONDON ADVOCATES

First published in Great Britain in 2017 by

Biteback Publishing Ltd

Westminster Tower

3 Albert Embankment

London SE1 7SP

Copyright © James Chen 2017

James Chen has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the publisher’s prior permission in writing.

This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition, including this condition, being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

Every reasonable effort has been made to trace copyright holders of material reproduced in this book, but if any have been inadvertently overlooked the publishers would be glad to hear from them.

ISBN 978-1-78590-268-0

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

This book is dedicated to my late father, Robert Yet-Sen Chen, who, despite having to overcome much hardship in his life, inspired so many with his kindness, decency and determination to leave the world better than when he arrived.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have made it my life’s work to help the world to see, but it all started with an interesting investment idea with a social mission: Adlens’ adjustable power lenses for glasses. This evolved into a journey of enlightenment in Vision for a Nation’s Rwanda initiative, tackling the challenges and invisible barriers around the issue of access to vision correction in the developing world. The brilliant TED Talk by Dr Andrew Bastawrous about his smartphone app Peek Vision, coupled with our learnings from Rwanda, sparked my most recent and most ambitious campaign – Clearly.

Andrew has since become a friend and, as I reflect on my incredible journey to date, what stands out is the thought that without the goodwill and support of colleagues and compatriots like Andrew, of whom there have been so many, my journey would have been so much more difficult, if not impossible. I feel lucky and blessed to have benefited from their trust, expertise and friendship.

Over the past thirteen years, so many colleagues have contributed to bringing the adjustable power lens technologies to the benefit of the public at Adlens and Adaptive Eyewear. The brilliant and always disruptive Professor Josh Silver, forever with a cheeky twinkle in his eyes. The equally brilliant Dr Rob Stevens, our long serving Chief Technology Officer. Dr Graeme MacKenzie, a research optometrist by training, exceptionally knowledgeable, multi-talented and my longest-serving colleague, to whom I turn when I am lost. My dear friend, shareholder and board member Hamilton Tang. Board members past and present: Dean Butler, Dave Chute, Remi Corlin, Greg Nugent, Mike Nuttall and Dame Sue Street. CEOs Sjoerd Hannema, Mike Ferrara, John Kennedy and Julian Lambert, who recently lost his battle with cancer. Julian, with a distinguished career in the development sector, took a secondment from the Department for International Development to lead Adaptive Eyewear in an ill-fated attempt to persuade the World Bank to support the deployment of adjustable power glasses in the developing world, and I credit him with recommending that we focus our efforts on Rwanda in what would become Vision for a Nation (VFAN).

Dr Agnes Binagwaho as Permanent Secretary of the Rwandan Ministry of Health immediately understood the potential impact of Vision for a Nation’s proposed project in Rwanda and she took a chance on this brand new organisation with no record of accomplishment to team up with the Ministry of Health to establish primary eye care in Rwanda. She continued to be our champion as Minister of Health and described our partnership as a model public–private partnership. If not for her taking a risk on the upstart VFAN and her unwavering support, we could not have accomplished as much in Rwanda and in the timescale to complete the mission. John Rhodes, as chairman of the board of trustees, has ably led us through thick and thin along with fellow trustees Catherine Colloms, Arnold Ekpe, Alex Scott, Paul Tomasic and I. As CEO, Tom Rosewall applied his deep business management experience, took a faltering effort in Rwanda, and transformed the operations into a focused, results-oriented machine, with Tony Hulton now developing plans to take VFAN beyond Rwanda. Abdallah Uwihoreye, our ever-resourceful Rwanda country director and our trusted eyes and ears on the ground with his team, John Asiimwe, Bizimungu Emile, Clarisse Dusabimana, Innocent Habimana, Reuben Kalisa, Agnes Safari Mbabazi, Joseph Munana, Chance Pascal, Evode Rwasamanzi, Sarah Day Smith, Pascal Umugwaneza, Charlotte Umurerwa, Cyriaca Uwababyeyi, Pacifique Uwamahoro and Marie Ange Uwase. Dr Ciku Mathenge, who created the eye test protocol used so successfully in Rwanda and Dr John Nkurikiye, who built the support of the professional eye community and within the government. UK team members Peter Desmond, Sebastian Ford and Sebastian Ling.

Greg Nugent, who also serves as a director of Adlens, is my partner in Clearly and the wizardly mastermind behind this campaign. The ‘first follower’ to build this movement, to whom I am eternally grateful, he has mobilised his entire company, Inc. London, along with his business partner Godric Smith to drive this campaign forward as the firm’s commitment to social impact. Thank you, Inc. London. Compatriots of the Clearly team seconded from Inc. London include the most able Will Straw, who I hope one day will lead Britain onto the right path, the meticulous Phil Webster, who has put my story into this book, Marion Allene, Charleen Cannone, Simon Darvill, Julie Fenton, Nina Ferrier, Morgan George, Katie Heywood, Jo Irwin, Nicola Minford, Neil Minott, Alex Oates, Kate Potts, Jemma Thompson and Charlotte Todman. The trustees of Clearly Initiatives: Penny Chu, Nick Mercer and Paul Tomasic. At Seven Hills, the mission-driven PR and communications firm, co-founders Nick Giles and Michael Hayman have dedicated resources to this campaign beyond the call of duty, Charlotte Hastings, who makes me look smart, at least in front of the media, Matic Boh, Becky Emery, Henny Hamilton, Rachel Ringstead and Hannah Sewell.

Jennifer Chen, Phoebe Ma, Gladys Choy and Linda Tsui, colleagues at my family office Legacy Advisors, ably dealing with the myriad details allowing me the freedom to do what I do best.

Many sector and domain experts contributed their knowledge and expertise openly to the writing of this book, including Peter Ackland, Astrid Bonfield, Brian Doolan, Kristan Gross, Caroline Harper, Jordan Kassalow, Jonathan Ledgard, Will Hetzler, William Mapham, Jacob Mohan, Kovin Naidoo, Ollie Rickman, J. C. Hinsley, Michael Conway, Rupert Ellwood, Natalie Au, Lucy Hopkins-Parkinson and Liz Smith. My friends Vikram Gandhi, Steve Greer, Gwen Rehnborg and Araminta Whitley took the time to plough through early drafts of this book and provided invaluable feedback.

This book is dedicated to my late father Robert, but it is the support of my entire family that has given me the strength and the resources to pursue and persevere in this wondrously challenging journey of discovery and purpose. My mother Daisy, so intuitive and resolute, the bedrock of our family. My wife Su, whose patience and love for a card-carrying member of the ‘league of misfits and outliers’ keeps me grounded. Our kids, Jack, Jamie and Jake, have grown up experiencing my struggles and personal challenges to live up to the saying ‘to whom much is given, of whom much is expected’. Finally, my dear sister Margaret, who passed away in 2016, at the age of fifty-two after a long struggle with her personal demons, tragic and heartbreaking and a great loss to our family.

CONTENTS

Part I: The Scandal the World Forgot

Chapter 1

Wake Up World

Chapter 2

Glasses Change Lives

Chapter 3

The Four Ds: Obstacles to Progress

Chapter 4

Counting the Cost

CASE STUDY I

THEOPHILLE

Chapter 5

The Golden Thread through the Global Goals

Part II: The Science

Chapter 6

The Mystery of the Human Eye

Chapter 7

The Great Glasses Rush

Part III: The Visionaries

Chapter 8

Giants of the Eye World

CASE STUDY II

FREDERICK

Chapter 9

The Inventors

Chapter 10

A Vision for Rwanda

CASE STUDY III

EMMANUEL, SACKEY AND ASHA

CASE STUDY IV

PASCAL AND REGINE

Part IV: The Second Optical Revolution

Chapter 11

On the Edge of Change

CASE STUDY V

FELICIEN

Chapter 12

The Answers in Sight

Chapter 13

Diagnosis: In the Palm of Your Hand

Chapter 14

Distribution: As Easily Available as a Can of Cola

Chapter 15

Dollars: Cost Down, Local Production Up

Chapter 16

Demand: The Last Taboo

Chapter 17

Conclusion: The Answer Is Glasses – See for Yourself

About the Author

References

Index

PART I

THESCANDALTHEWORLDFORGOT

CHAPTER 1

WAKE UP WORLD

More than 700 years ago, spectacles were invented. One of the greatest innovations in our history had arrived.

In those early years, perhaps only aristocrats and the clergy experienced the joy of reading. But the invention of the Gutenberg press in around 1440 meant that very quickly there was a mass audience wanting to read, and requiring glasses if they could not see properly. Over the centuries, as aesthetics improved and our understanding of the eye advanced, we have become so comfortable wearing glasses that we now buy them in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Would Steve Jobs or Bill Gates have been able to code without their glasses? How would Elton John have learned the piano? Would the magical world of Harry Potter ever have been created if J. K. Rowling didn’t have a pair of specs?