EssilorLuxottica is celebrating World Children's Day 2023 today to raise awareness for children's rights – specifically concerning good vision so they can ‘see more and be more’ to reach their full potential.

World Children’s Day is an annual day of action every November 20 established by the United Nations and promoted by UNICEF to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, encouraging dialogue and actions that help build a better future. The official theme for this year is: ‘for every child, every right.’

In line with its Mission to help people ‘see more and be more’ and its ‘Eyes on Inclusion’ pillar, part of its Eyes on the Planet corporate sustainability program, EssilorLuxottica believes good vision is a basic human right. The Company is committed to creating a more equal and inclusive world by helping children gain access to vision care so they can reach their full potential.

This World Children’s Day, EssilorLuxottica is hosting a live stream panel discussion on ensuring vision care access for children worldwide via Leonardo, its online learning platform, to provide updates on vision care for children and address why good vision is so essential for learning and much more. A global campaign is being also rolled out by the Company, emphasizing how good vision is linked to a bright and promising future.

Complete Eyecare Solutions

Children are a priority at EssilorLuxottica with a dedicated ‘Kids Category,’ which is supported by ongoing investments in research, development and new technologies that target youth-related vision care issues, such as myopia management. The Company aims to provide complete eyecare solutions that help children see clearly and protect their eyes as well as empower them with sustainable, comfortable designs that enhance self-expression and boost their confidence.

Access to Vision Care Services

EssilorLuxottica also helps millions of children around the world gain access to vision care services through activities carried out by the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation. The Foundation actively promotes the importance of vision care for children, as they are among the most vulnerable, by hosting charitable vision clinics throughout the year, and partnering with local schools and community organizations to ensure under-resourced children and their families can access eyecare. For example, in collaboration with the government of India, the Foundation set up the Universal School Eye Health Program in India to positively impact 1 million school children in Maharashtra, 800,000 in Karnataka and 250,000 in Goa.

In addition, every year EssilorLuxottica reinforces its commitment to children's vision with two key campaigns. The first takes place in September, promoting back-to-school “Eyecare for all Grades” that encourages parents to have their children's eyesight checked before classes begin so they can succeed both academically and socially. The second takes place on World Sight Day in October, raising awareness and promoting the ‘right to see’ through powerful portraits of children captured by world-renowned photographer Steve McCurry.

On this World Children’s Day 2023, the Company’s Salmoiraghi & Viganò retail brand is launching a special project in Milan to engage young generations with art. The initiative, called ‘Uno sguardo al futuro’ (or ‘A Look into the Future’), originated through a partnership between Italian artist Domenico ‘Frode’ Melillo and Milan's Istituto Comprensivo Gino Capponi school. The artwork celebrates children’s eyes and sight as a powerful means to imagine a more inclusive and equal society for a responsible future.

World Children's Day 2023