From the [Qatar] Gulf Times:

Panamanian First Lady Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos this week called for immediate action by world leaders on their commitment to “create equal opportunities for all human beings”.

“I am speaking to you as a woman, as a mother and as a citizen of the world. We must create a society where justice, equality and acceptance of diversity are the basic fundamentals. We the governments, ministers, first ladies, all have to ensure that we carry out our commitments,” said de Torrijos, wife of Panama’s President Martin Torrijos Espino.

De Torrijos was speaking at the concluding session of the 3rd Annual International Shafallah Forum on Children with Special Needs.

Citing the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, she said the world must hear their voice.

Also attending the conference were Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and Bob and Suzanne Wright, founders of Autism Speaks.

See also:

Researchers say sports are changing media stereotypes of disability

The Gulf Times is the leading English language newspaper in Qatar.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 am and is filed under civil rights, genetic diversity, international, law, United Nations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.