Special Talent Exchange program has organized this conference for disabled people from all over the world for an inclusive society and accessibility and mobility. It is been held in Serena hotel Islamabad from 3rd Oct 2011 to 5th Oct 2011 to promote the ratification of UNCRPD and to empower them with Leadership.

Welcome speech was delivered by Peter Hill, GM Serena. He mentioned that from the past few years Hotels has been taking initiatives for changes. And they still need a lot to do to support the disability.

Followed up by Mr. Atif Sheikh, President STEP. He pointed that there has been a lot of work still in progress to help disabled people. Like he mentioned that the stage has Wrack instead of stairs to Able the Disable people. He stressed upon the change process that has been in progress for the past few years. The need to rehabilitate the DP and empower them with Leadership qualities to give them a lead. And now they are changing the lives of others.

He mentioned the achievements of STEP in the past towards PWD’s. 14 DP from all over the world was selected and was given leadership trainings and attention has been diverted to how to utilize the persons with disabilities in corporate sector. He thanked the Partner for their contribution and participation in the Conference and making it successful. Which includes Government of Pakistan, Site Savers, Telenor Pakistan, British Council, Plan International, UNESCO, Concern World Wide, American Embassy, CBM, BAAP. Chef International, Light for the World, SAIBER, PUAN.

Mr. NiazUllah Khan from SAIBER Foundation, He said it’s not a Story of an Organization but it’s a Story of Leadership of Person with Disability. He thanked DG Special Education for signing the convention of PWD. Ms.IfatJamel from Plan International mentioned that we belief in Human Rights peace organization and it’s an honor to work with people who wants to make this society inclusive. Ms. RabbiyaIftikhar from CHEF International contributed that PWD has a lot of barriers and this conference helps in the Implementation of the UNCRPD convention.

Dr. Kozue Kay Nagata Director/ Representative UNESCO Pakistan showed her gratitude towards the STEP efforts and the participants. She mentioned that though UNCRPD convention is at International Level but still a lot of measures have to be taken including the inclusion of its implementation. She ended her welcome speech by saying that There is nothing about a disabled people, we take out the disabled people.

Mr. David Martin, Country Director British Council mentioned that we cannot build bridges until we are conclusive. Value of diversity comes with race, religion, age etc but it also includes disability. This conference will raise the value of PWD’s. He mentioned that people aren’t disabled, that what the environment makes them.

Mr. Karl Erik Broten, CFO, Telenor Pakistan added to the discussion that we need to change the mind sets within community nationwide.  Currently 16 employees with disability are working with us and are really motivated and educated and they are one of the biggest resources to us.

Mr. Imam YarBaig, Country Director Pakistan Sightsavers congratulated for UNCRPD for the price of disabled people.  And mentioned that working together is the real development of our country Pakistan inclusive of DP.

Chief Guest Mr. Syed MustafainKazmi Director General Special Education and Child Development gave the Ending words of Inauguration ceremony. He welcomed the foreign Delegates and participants from Korea and UK. He thanked the Organizers STEP (Special Talent Program) in collaboration with other organizations. And emphasized on the fact that we should make this conference result oriented.  And thanked the foreign delegates for sharing their experience. He mentioned that Governments is working on the quotas for DP to ensure their participation and responsibility. And Added that ratification of the PWD convention will give prominence to the DP. Government of Pakistan has mainstreamed the disability into development of Pakistan. One of them is to allot them National Identity Cards to give them their own identity.  We need to turn their challenges into opportunities.

He congratulated STEP to promote the cause of disabled people at national and international level. Followed up by Panel Discussion on Leadership in Disability Movement.Then Networking & Collaboration. A lot of interest has been shown in the panel discussion on Employment Opportunities and Challenges.

Then a Leadership Development session was held by Dr. AwaisSiraj, British Alumni Association and Mr. Khalid Naeem, Honorary Country Director, ICEVI

And a panel discussion on Community Based Inclusive Development, followed up by question and answer session very beautifully.  And with this the first day of International Leadership Conference of Persons with Disabilities came to an end.