Chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on Autism in Bangladesh Saima Wazed Hossain Putul has put emphasis on ensuring more participation of the autistic people in every sector.
The child psychologist said: “Autistic people should be involved in decision-making process of every sector, including education, health, employment and social service in order to build an inclusive society.”
Putul, the daughter of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made the suggestion while participating in a discussion on Science, Cooperation and Answer for World Autism Community organised by the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations at the UN Headquarters in New York on Thursday evening.
According to a report of BSS, she also focused on the steps to be taken by the world in the field of autism.
She laid stress on ensuring inclusive development through cooperation, ensuring service for the entire life, undertaking country-based multi-sectoral and tier-based plan, implementation of sustainable and cost-effective work strategies and removing discriminatory system.
“Ignorance and superstition, limited service, lack of quality training of the service providers and social and economic isolation have been identified as a big challenge in the developing countries in facing the autism spectrum disorder,” she said.
While delivering her brief speech in the morning session, Putul called upon the small, medium and major businessmen and investors of the country to extend their support in this regard.
Diplomats from different UN member countries, executives of the multi-national companies including Ban Suntek, wife of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General Amina Mohammad, Indian Permanent Representative to UN Ashok Kumar Mukharjee, Co-founder of Autism Speaks Sujan Right also spoke on the occasion as panellists.
Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations Dr AK Abdul Momen and permanent representative of Qatar to the United Nations Alia Ahmed Al-Jani, moderated the programme.
Apart from diplomats and experts from different countries, visiting Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, expatriate Bangladeshi teachers, professionals, political leaders and media representatives were present in the afternoon session.
The main discussion on “Employment and Autism facilities” was held in the morning session, where UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivered the inaugural speech.
Governor of Delaware State Jack Markel presented the keynote speech in the session moderated by Under Secretary General of the UN Communication and Public Information Department Cristina Gallach.
In both the sessions, other speakers highly praised recent initiatives of the Bangladesh government in creating autism awareness and providing services to the autistic community. Bangladesh was the co-organiser of the both the sessions of the event.