What the Global Project is:
The Global Project on the History of Leprosy is the initiative of the International Leprosy Association. The project is fully funded by the Nippon Foundation and is based at the Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine at the University of Oxford. The Project is developing a database of leprosy archives around the world dating from 1847.
Mission of the Global Project:
The Project seeks to preserve the modern history of leprosy by encouraging the preservation of archives, and to serve as a tool for researchers. The Project does not hold the actual records, collections, or archives, but provides information about their existence and whereabouts. Its database serves as a gateway or pathway for researchers, and the Project also allows researchers to network amongst themselves.
What the Global Project database contains:
The collections in the database have a wide range of organizational, policy, scientific, and medical archives. There are also leprosaria (special leprosy hospitals) records, museums and libraries. Included are private collections of those who have worked in the field and collections of testimonies from people affected by the disease.
Purpose of the International Leprosy Association:
- To facilitate the dissemination of knowledge of leprosy and its control
- To help in any other practicable manner the anti-leprosy campaign throughout the world
- To co-operate with any other institution or organization concerned with leprosy
For more information about The Global Project on the History of Leprosy:
Web site:
The Global Project on the History of Leprosy - information is also available in Spanish, French, and Portuguese
