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Getting to know each other over sweets and tea. |
Special Olympics Uzbekistan and UNICEF are continuing their cooperation in bringing children with and without intellectual disabilities together. On 25 January 2008, a meeting was held in Tashkent with 25 pupils from mainstream school No. 171 and 30 pupils from special school No. 101, which played host. The pupils, who ranged in age from 14-16 years, participated in cultural and sports activities and a tea party. The day included a presentation about Special Olympics. Ravilya Mirzaeva, Special Olympics Uzbekistan Family Coordinator, and Lilya Bogomolova, Special Olympics Uzbekistan Sports Director, represented Special Olympics. “Bringing schoolchildren with and without intellectual disabilities together is the best way of breaking down social barriers that would usually keep them segregated. They learn from each other that they are more alike than different,” said Mirzaeva.
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Fun and games bring children together. |
UNICEF Uzbekistan was represented by Simona Ferrari and Nargiza Umarova, who talked to the pupils about UNICEF's work and children's rights. “It is important that all children understand that they have human rights. These rights are not abstract, but rather very real and relevant to children's lives,” said Ferrari. “The school meetings Special Olympics organizes in cooperation with UNICEF provide children with a happy and playful environment in which they learn life-affirming lessons.”
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UNICEF representatives Simona Ferrari (at the microphone) and Nargiza Umarova (right) talk to the children about human rights. |
During 2008, approximately 750 children with and without intellectual disabilities will come together for a total of 14 school meetings in Tashkent and 12 school meetings in six regions (Samarkand, Sirdariya, Djizzak, Angren, Republic Karakalpakstan and Termez) with the aim of fostering understanding and acceptance of children with intellectual disabilities.
In April UNICEF will support Special Olympics Uzbekistan's efforts in organizing an event in Karshi Region for Special Olympics European Football Week.
Learn more about Special Olympics in the Europe/Eurasia region.
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