On 19 November, the Australian Embassy to Bosnia and Herzegovina, in partnership with UNICEF, hosted a reception in Sarajevo at the Art Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina to mark Universal Children’s Day. 20 November is the the day on which the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of theChild in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
Speaking about the event, the Australian Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, David Stuart, said “this evening we heard first-hand about the challenges and opportunities which exist in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the provision of disability-inclusive education and related support services for children with disability, in particular intellectual disability.”
The event attracted representatives of a wide range of relevant stakeholders from across the country – including government, heads of international and regional organisations in Sarajevo, members of the diplomatic community, aid officials, civil society leaders, as well as members of the Australian community in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Deputy Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Denisa Maglić- Sarajlić, spoke at the event. UNICEF’s Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Florence Bauer, also spoke as a co-host.
Dr Nirvana Pištoljević from EDUS – EDUKACIJA ZA SVE, and a mother and advocate with the NGO, Život sa Down sindromom, Ms Maida Agić, addressed what could be done to enhance the lives of children with disability in Bosnia and Herzegovina through inclusive education.
“Tonight’s reception honors those who are working hard to realise the full potential of every child, including EDUS in Sarajevo and Los Rosales in Mostar – two organisations the Australian Embassy has been privileged to work with closely. Participation in projects run by EDUS and Los Rosales reflect the diversity of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s society. Children from the three constituent peoples (Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats) and other minorities are included without prejudice or discrimination,” Ambassador Stuart said.
(Source: Australian Embassy to B&H)
