The second “Bahrain for All Kids Fun Day Out” was aimed to raise awareness on the public’s duty to engage with differently-abled individuals and help to create equal opportunities for all. This event started with a dream to leave no one behind in the society.
The event was organized in partnership with the Ministry of Interior and in coordination with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), the UNDP and the Hidd Rehabilitation Centre for Special Needs. The fun day offers the children a variety of activities, including, painting and games as well as personal awareness programs managed by the MOI First Aid, Civil Defence, Community Police, K9 Unit, CID and Traffic Police.
Mr. Amin El Sharkawi, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative, expressed his support for the “Kids Fun Day Out”. He recognized it as a positive step by the Kingdom of Bahrain to engage its citizens and raise their awareness to contribute to the various platforms and channels that kids with special needs can resort to. H.E. Mr. El Sharkawi cited the importance of such events as they embody the spirit of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in recognizing the infrastructure required for kids with special needs. Such initiatives transcends all barriers and advocate the duty of all citizens, not only to tend the children with special needs but to offer them supporting environment to grow and develop in our societies.
Samir Imtair Aldarabi, United
Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Director who spent the day with the children said, “I am extremely happy to be a part of this very special event for very special children for the second consecutive year. My heartfelt appreciation to ‘Bahrain for All’ and its partners for organizing a fun filled day for the children with special needs. I highly appreciate the role of the Government of Bahrain, particularly H.R.H the Prime Minister for his continued support and patronage of such notable causes.”
In December 2006, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has spurred significant progress in commitment and action for equality; inclusion and empowerment of them around the world; incorporation of them into the global human rights and development of agendas for the ones with special needs.
In 2016, UN member states embarked on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The agenda highlighted the blueprint for peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all on a healthy planet. With its 17 interdependent Sustainable Development Goals, the 2030 Agenda is based on a pledge to leave no one behind. The attainment of this goal requires the full inclusion and effective participation of persons with special needs in the society. The time has come for the world to work together to ensure the complete and equal participation of the persons with special needs in an inclusive and sustainable world that embraces humanity in all its diversity”.
Brigadier Fawaz Al Hasan, Colonel Mohammed AlHussaini, Colonel Isa AlSulaiti, Basma Buradha, Principal of Hidd Rehabilitation Centre for Special Needs and Christine Gordon, Founder of the Regional Institute for Autism (RIA )and members of the media and VIPs also attended the event.