UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 02 April 2008 -- As the U.N. marked the first World Autism Awareness Day, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, who strive every day “to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope.”

The General Assembly declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day last November in a bid to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the complex brain disorder.

Autism, which affects people all around the globe, impedes the ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioural challenges.

In his message marking the Day, Mr. Ban stressed the need to build enabling environments for children with disabilities so they can prosper as future members of their communities, citizens of their countries and as fully-fledged members of the global community.

“Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow,” he stated.

The Secretary-General noted that throughout its history, the UN has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities.

“It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights, and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006,” he added.

UN Headquarters in New York is marking the Day with a discussion sponsored by Qatar, which spearheaded the initiative to create an annual observance, along with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the non-governmental organization Autism Speaks.

IN WORLD DAY MESSAGE, SECRETARY-GENERAL PAYS TRIBUTE TO COURAGE OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND FAMILIES, WHO CONFRONT DISABILITY WITH DETERMINATION, HOPE

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message on the inauguration of World Autism Awareness Day observed 2 April:

Today, the world marks the first commemoration of World Autism Awareness Day.  I commend this important initiative spearheaded by the State of Qatar, and applaud the leadership of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, the Consort of His Highness the Emir of Qatar, in raising awareness about children with developmental disabilities.  Her Highness’s vision and initiatives have helped to empower children with disabilities and their communities in the Arab region and worldwide.

On this day, the United Nations reaffirms its commitment to the rights and well-being of people with disabilities -- a commitment rooted in our fundamental principle of universal human rights for all.  Throughout its history, the United Nations family has promoted the rights and well-being of the disabled, including children with developmental disabilities.  It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights, and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006.

As we advance the universal human rights of children with disabilities, let us focus on building enabling environments for them to prosper as future members of their communities, citizens of their countries and as fully-fledged members of the global community.  Let us pay tribute to the courage of children with autism and their families, as they strive every day to confront the disability with a powerful combination of determination, creativity and hope.  Let us empower them and respond to their needs today, so as to make our societies more accessible, enabling and empowering for all our children tomorrow.

UNITED NATIONS MARKS FIRST WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY TODAY

The United Nations will mark the first official World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday, 2 April, to highlight the need to help improve the lives of children and adults who suffer from the disorder.  The United Nations General Assembly unanimously declared 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day last November.

“On this day, the United Nations reaffirms its commitment to the rights and well-being of people with disabilities -- a commitment rooted in our fundamental principle of universal human rights for all,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement marking the day.  “It is especially fitting that this inaugural Day falls in 2008 -- the year in which we celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Declaration for Human Rights and expect to see the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, adopted by the General Assembly in 2006.”

Autism is a complex brain disorder that affects people on all continents.  It inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioural challenges.

The Day will be marked at United Nations Headquarters in New York with a panel discussion sponsored by Qatar along with the World Health Organization and the non-governmental organization Autism Speaks.  The event, which will take from 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. in Conference Room 1, will be moderated by Riz Khan from Al Jazeera International.  General Assembly President Srgjan Kerim and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Sha Zukang will address the panel, and representatives from Governments, the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations, academia and civil society will participate.

Tomorrow, 3 April, the United Nations Department of Information will hold a briefing for non-governmental organizations, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Conference Room 1, with representatives from major autism organizations, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and the media.  For more information, please visit the Department of Public Information NGO Section’s website: www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/index.asp.

In both events, participants will speak about their personal efforts in raising awareness and eliminating stigma associated with autism, discuss the daily struggles of people with autism and highlight the importance of a better understanding of the disorder.  They will also share personal perspectives on the impact of autism both locally and globally.

Labels: United Nations, U.N. World Autism Awareness Day

 

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