SELF-ADVOCATES (ONE STEP CLOSER) SUMMIT BEGINS IN SHARJAH
On Friday morning, September 27, 2019, Self-Advocates Summit, which Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) and Inclusion International for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are organizing for the first time in UAE under the title (One Step Closer), began. SCHS is organizing this summit, which is taking place in the Act Hotel Sharjah, with participation of 14 self-advocates accompanied by their supporters and nine mothers. It will last until 1 October.
The self-advocate Sheikha Al Qasimi, Representative of Inclusion International for Middle East and North Africa, talked at the beginning of the training program about preparing self-advocates leaders in Inclusion International as the international network of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. It works to ensure respect for their rights. It includes 200 associations and bodies from 115 countries.
Al Qasimi talked at the beginning of the training program, which she is conducting the training for along with self-advocate Salma Kanaan from Egypt who is a member in the Board of Directors of Inclusion International. She explained the way to make persons with disabilities stronger throughout integration and the importance of sharing experiences, communicating, and following a systematic working plan to reach objectives.
The self-advocate Sheikha Al Qasimi was always interested in involving self-advocates in discussions by asking questions and stimulating participants to provide answers to. Most of the remarks, which self-advocates provided,
focused on their right to an independent life, involvement, and integration into society.
For her part, self-advocate Salma Kanaan talked about self-advocacy elements (personal power, teamwork, and taking actions), confirming that the success of self-advocacy can only be achieved by the availability of these elements combined.
She added, “It is necessary for self-advocates to know their rights, express themselves, and demand the support they need, make appropriate decisions, and work in a team spirit to discuss the major issues that concern them. In addition, they must share experiences.
During the training program, the two distinguished advocates, Sheikha and Salma, preformed a representative scene depicting the importance of positive ideas among self-advocates and enhancing self-confidence to claim their rights and those of their peers.
During the program, groups of self-advocates were formed to discuss information, make suggestions, and express their views on the issues addressed in the summit according to their viewpoints.
Self-advocate Mohammed Issa from Lebanon was very happy to participate in the summit due to its importance in forming leaders capable of claiming the rights of persons with disabilities. He confirmed that the most important of these rights is independent living and integration into society.
Self-Advocacy Maisa Deghidi from Egypt emphasized the significance of raising community awareness in the importance of integrating persons with disabilities and achieving their rights.
The activities of Self-Advocates Summit is going to include a training program to prepare self-advocates becoming leaders. It targets persons with intellectual disability, who have the will to work as self-advocates. It includes training workshops aiming at teaching self-advocates the necessary skills to become leaders, empower them to strengthen the networking of self-advocacy in their societies.
Her Highness Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director General of SCHS and Regional Representative of Inclusion International, received self-advocates on Thursday in an introductory meeting in which she welcomed them and wished them success in discussing all-important issues and reaching their ambitions.
Self-Advocates Summit, which is taking place in the Act Hotel Sharjah, will continue until 1 October. Please join us