UN autism forum praises Qatar's role

QATAR’S efforts to raise autism awareness came in for praise at a UN meeting in New York on Friday.

More than 150 first ladies and other dignitaries, including Ban Soon-taek, wife of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and Sarah Brown, wife of the British prime minister, attended the UN World Focus on Autism.

The meeting was organised by Suzanne Wright, co-founder of Autism Speaks, the largest non-profit autism organisation in the world.

The hosts honoured Qatar’s Hassan Ali Bin Ali, a key member of the discussion panel at the event, for his efforts to raise awareness on behalf of the Shafallah Centre for Children with Special Needs.

The Shafallah Centre recently became an Autism Speaks global affiliate for the Middle East region.

In April, the centre held a three-day ‘Third Annual International Forum’ in Qatar, where Suzanne and Rob Wright were special guests along with Cherie Blair, wife of former British prime minister Tony Blair, and Vivian Fernández de Torrijos, first lady of Panama, among others.

Ali bin Ali is the chairman of Shafallah Centre.

Speaking at Friday’s meeting of representatives from 55 countries, he said that if all present “leave the event with a mission to raise awareness of the warning signs of autism, and encourage early diagnosis, we will have made a major step in meeting the challenges.”

On the role of the global media in raising awareness of autism, Ali Bin Ali recounted his experiences at the recent Paralympic Games in Beijing: “For the first time in history, the Paralympic Games were broadcast live around the world and record numbers viewed.”

Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by behavioural challenges.

In her remarks, event chair Ban Soon-taek said “it is still sadly a reality that in some parts of the world, those affected by autism-related disorders are set aside, placed in institutions or dismissed as untreatable lost causes.”

“It is crucial that professionals and society at large become more involved, compassionate and accepting of this complex condition,” she added.

Calling for action, Suzanne Wright appealed to the delegates “not just as the co-founder of Autism Speaks, but as a grandmother of a little boy who has slipped into the silent world of autism, to please lend your voices and stand united with us in our worldwide campaign. By recognising World Autism Awareness Day every April 2 until a cure is found, you will help to shine a global spotlight on autism.”

Bob Wright said an estimated 67mn people – about 1% of the global population – suffered from autism.