WCO receives a Friends of Canada Award
13 October 2009
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) receives an inaugural Friends of Canada Award at Canada House in London on Wednesday 21st October.
Friends of Canada Awards have been established in conjunction with the City of Calgary and the Government of Canada – Canadian High Commission to provide support to non-for-profit organisations both within Canada and internationally. In this first year of the Friends of Canada Awards, ten organisations in Alberta, Canada have been honoured, including the Alberta Association of Optometrists. The WCO has been granted a Friends of Canada Award in recognition of its international leadership role in the development of optometry.
The Award is a $5,000 (Canadian) research package, sponsored by GRAIN, a global research and market intelligence company, which can be used by WCO to support development of membership and sponsorship opportunities.
The award was accepted by Mr Bob Chappell, immediate WCO past president on behalf of WCO President, Professor George Woo at Canada House in Trafalgar Square, London. The ceremony was linked via satellite to an event being run simultaneously in Calgary, where the Canadian organisations also received their Friends of Canada Awards. Mr Chappell was accompanied by Mrs Caroline Hyde-Price, WCO Executive Director.
WCO President, Professor George Woo welcomed the announcement, commenting "I have many professional and personal links with Canada and I can testify to the professionalism and commitment of optometrists in Canada inproviding quality eye and vision care. This award recognises the importance and benefits of international links in optometry education, research, and professional development and will benefit WCO membership worldwide.
