UN Conference - World Down Syndrome Day

[Guest guest]

I am very happy to announce that we will be having a conference at the UN in NY on

March 21 to mark World Down Syndrome Day. It is the first time the date is going to be celebrated among all 192 UN countries, following a Resolution adopted by the General Assembly in December 2011.

Down Syndrome International would like to ask the DS community to help spread the word about this event, and hopes to get representants from as many countries as possible.

We also would like to ask people living in the NYC area to consider receiving in their homes the delegates that will come to the city for the conference, since lodging is so expensive in New York.

If you are willing to help with this, fundraising to cover the events costs or any other matter, please get in touch with us through the email:

undsconference@...Thanks, AlmeidaMember of the Board of TrusteesDown Syndrome InternationalWorld Down Syndrome Day at UN – 3/21 – “Building our Futureâ€http://www.inclusive.org.br/?p=21921The first official World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) will be celebrated at the UN Headquarters in NY, on March 21 2012 (3/21), with the Conference “Building Our Futureâ€.Inclusive education, political participation, independent living, how to work with the media and research are

some of the topics that will be discussed.The event is sponsored by the Missions of Brazil and Poland to the UN and organized byDown Syndrome International with the collaboration of the Brazilian Federation of Associations of Down Syndrome (FBASD), Down España, Down Syndrome Research and Treatment Foundation (DSRTF), National Down Syndrome Center (NDSC) and National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS).RegistrationParticipants from all around the world are welcome, especialy those with Down syndrome.There

is no cost for registration. Confirmation to attend the event can be made by the email unconference@....Please inform name, email, age, nationality, relation to Down syndrome (self, parent, relative, professional, teacher, student, friend or other-specify), document number (passport, driver’s license, student´s ID), whether you have a disability and what kind and if you need a disability-related accommodation or service.Only participants with their names on the list and an ID will be allowed in the building. Space is limited.About Down syndromeDown syndrome is a naturally occurring chromosomal arrangement that has always been a part of the human condition, being universally present across racial, gender or socio-economic lines, and affecting approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide. Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.About World Down Syndrome DayWorld Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) has been established by Down Syndrome International and celebrated since 2006 and observer in

over 60 countries in the world. It is held on March 21st (21/3) to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of chromosome 21 which causes this genetic ocurrence.The aim of the day is to raise awareness and understanding about Down syndrome, and to promote the inherent rights of persons with Down syndrome to enjoy full and dignified lives and be active and valuable participants in their communities and society.A resolution to designate 21/3 as “World Down Syndrome Dayâ€, to be observed every year beginning in 2012, was adopted by consensus by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011. The resolution was proposed and promoted by Brazil, and co-sponsored by 78 UN Member States. From 2012 onwards, the date will be celebrated by all

192 UN countries.For information on Down Syndrome:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001992/For more information on WDSD, visit DSi website.To know about the resolution process at the UN, visit:http://www.inclusive.org.br/?p=215503/21 – 10h – “Building our Future†– UN Headquarters in NY – Conference Room 2Confirmations: undsconference@...