Hessa Buhumaid Attends Self-advocacy Programme Session For People With Down Syndrome

Hessa Buhumaid attends self-advocacy programme session for people with Down syndrome

DUBAI, (Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2020) The Emirates Down Syndrome Association is organising a Self-Advocacy Programme for the first time in the UAE, which represents an important pillar of the "World Down Syndrome Congress-Dubai 2020", WDSC 2020, after the UAE won the bid to host the Congress for the first time in the MENA region in November 2020.

It will be held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council.

The WDSC will bring together an anticipated 1,200 delegates including people with Down syndrome, their families and advocates, experts, specialists and researchers in the field of Down syndrome.

Hessa Bint Essa Buhumaid, Minister of Community Development, attended one of the 9th Self-Advocacy Programme sessions for People with Down Syndrome, the first-of-its-kind in the UAE, in coordination with Down Syndrome International, based in the UK.

She praised the session, an extension of the regular interactive self-advocacy training sessions, which saw the participation of 20 facilitators and 30 Down syndrome self-advocates all over the UAE, giving them the opportunity to express themselves and enhance their confidence.

At the Emirates Down Syndrome Association in Al Qusais, Buhumaid was received by the Chairperson of the Association, Dr. Manal Jaroor, members-board of directors, technical and specialised, as well as administration staff, Down syndrome advocates, and other relevant persons from different centres and institutes all over the UAE.

The minister toured the association’s development centre, where she viewed all the services provided, the progress of work and met the teaching and specialised staff.

The Ministry of Community Development and the Emirates Down Syndrome Association also discussed bilateral cooperation. The visit concluded with the honouring of Buhumaid with a painting done by a person with Down syndrome. She then signed a letter of thanks and expressed her appreciation in the association’s Visitors' Book and lauded the voluntary efforts of the board of Directors and the association in providing a bright future for people with Down syndrome and their families.

Jaroor expressed her appreciation over the visit of the Minister of Community Development and commended the efforts of the UAE’s leadership towards People of Determination and the national policy for empowering People of Determination which was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.