Vision, Mission & Objectives

Rare disease patients are faced with common challenges derived from the rarity of their conditions and aggravated by the low priority given to rare diseases globally. Rare diseases are often chronic, progressive, degenerative, disabling and life-threatening.

A long road to diagnosis, lack of adequate treatments and care are challenges faced by rare disease patients around the world. These difficulties are greater in many developing nations.

Addressing rare diseases on an international level is critical to reduce health inequalities between populations worldwide and ensure that people living with a rare disease have access to the same resources as any other population.

We work to:

Unite, expand and reinforce the rare disease movement of patient organisations and patient advocates
Put rare diseases on the agenda of international organisations and multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, ECOSOC and the WHO, and on the national agenda of every country around the world
Strengthen rare disease patient groups capacity to act at local, national, regional and global levels and to interact with other rare disease groups

Vision

RDI recognises that people living with a rare disease are facing similar challenges irrespective of where they live in the world. The over 300 million people living with one of over 6,000 known rare diseases around the world share a common interest to address their comparable or specific needs.

RDI helps ensure that people living with a rare disease worldwide and their families experience better recognition and support, improved health or social services, and overall a better life.

Mission

RDI’s mission is to be a strong common voice for people living with a rare disease around the world.

Objectives

To promote rare diseases as an international public health, research and human rights priority through public awareness and policy-making
To represent its members and people living with a rare disease in international institutions and forums
To enhance the capacities of its members through information, exchange, networking, mutual support and joint actions