When we empower, we reshape reality.
In a strategic partnership with the Human Resources Management Foundation and in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, the Disability Association Intilaka organized the launch of the World Day of Persons with Disabilities event at the Seven Gates Hotel (formerly Sheraton).
The event was attended by Minister of Finance Mohammad Yaser Barniya, Deputy Minister of Tourism Ghayath Al-Farah, Dr. Abdul Razzak Al-Hussein, President of the Syrian Private University, Dr. Munir Abbas, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Human Resources Management Foundation, and Ms. Mona Omqi, Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the Disability Association Intilaka, along with a number of official figures and representatives of relevant institutions, organizations, and associations.
Role of the Human Resources Management Foundation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities
Dr. Munir Abbas, Chairman of the Board of the Human Resources Management Foundation, pointed out that the event was held in collaboration with the Intilaka Disability Association.On the occasion of its launch and World Day of Persons with Disabilities, it was noted that the foundation has been supporting the ‘Disability is a Starting Point’ initiative from the beginning, and today the association has become officially registered. It was emphasized that the foundation continues to offer free training programs for persons with disabilities, which has been its consistent approach since its establishment.
Dr. Abbas also pointed out that the large statistics showing the size of this group call for effective coordination between government bodies, organizations, and community initiatives, stressing the importance of digitally integrating this group to accurately assess their needs and develop practical recommendations that help improve support and protection policies and enhance government decision-making in favor of persons with disabilities.
Finance Minister Mohammed Yasser Barniyah, during his participation in the event, emphasized the importance of partnership between the state, society, associations, and NGOs to achieve a qualitative shift in serving the segment of persons with disabilities and creating genuine community awareness of their issues. Barniyah also highlighted the ministry’s keenness to create tax incentives for business owners and economic activities, provided that they employ persons with disabilities or offer services to this segment.Engineer Al-Farah explained that the ministry coordinates with investors to provide community services that include members of the local community, allocating a share of these initiatives for people with disabilities by providing healthcare and appropriate facilities. He emphasized that this support contributes to enhancing their active role in society and allows them to participate more fully in various fields.
Meanwhile, the President of the Syrian Private University, Dr. Engineer Abdul Razzak Al-Hussein, highlighted the importance of persons with disabilities in Syrian society, especially given the impact of the years of war, which left a large number of them. He confirmed that the university seeks to integrate this group into society through designing educational programs that meet their needs and aspirations, and attracting them to enroll in the university, providing them with opportunities for education and professional training and enhancing their active participation in various fields.
The Chairwoman of the Board of Trustees of the ‘Disability as a Starting Point’ Association stated that the establishment of the association constitutes a fundamental step towards organizing efforts supporting persons with disabilities and turning individual initiatives into sustainable institutional work that brings real change to their lives.She pointed out that the association will work according to a comprehensive vision based on educational empowerment, professional qualification, and psychological and social support, in addition to raising community awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities and promoting their integration in various fields of life.
She also emphasized the importance of partnership between government entities, private sector institutions, and civil society organizations, considering that joint cooperation is the best way to build an inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities and opens horizons for the potentials and creative abilities of this group.
The event concluded with all participants affirming the importance of enhancing the role of persons with disabilities in society by providing support, training, and appropriate opportunities, and the necessity of combining efforts of government, private, and civil institutions to ensure an inclusive environment that enables this group to actively participate in all areas of life, reflecting the values of justice, equality, and social integration.
