DUSHANBE, December 7, 2014, Asia-Plus — For the first time in Tajikistan, the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which promotes an understanding of disability issues and mobilizes support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities, was celebrated together with the traditional Winter Handicraft Fair, held this year at the Ismaili Center Dushanbe on December 6-7.
The joint event reportedly increased awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life, promoting the ideal of an inclusive society as a way to reach truly sustainable development.
According to Bactria Cultural Center, the initiative was supported by a solidarity alliance made of 21 local and international organizations, including the Union of Craftsmen of Tajikistan, the Associations of Parents with Children with Disabilities, and disabled persons organizations, which came together under the motto “United for an Inclusive and Sustainable Development.”
The event gave the opportunity of linking two important axes of the EU policies in Central Asia: economic development through support to small enterprises -namely in the handicraft sector- on the one hand; reinforcement of non-state actors for achieving a more inclusive and stronger civil society, on the other hand. Moreover, it is directly in line with the equity approach of UNICEF, and the inclusion focus of Handicap International.
The two-day handicraft fair, organized by the Union of Craftsmen of Tajikistan (UCT) in partnership with Cesvi, and jointly coordinated by Bactria Cultural Center, reportedly gathered more than 50 artisans presenting the state-of the art of Tajik regional crafts. The fair program included free master-classes in embroidery, textile, painting and decorations and three different workshops specifically conceived for children.
In parallel with the activities of artisans, inclusive events for both people with and without disabilities, such as, catwalks, music performances, food fair, film events, sensory experience corner, information exhibitions and more took place.
The solidarity alliance members (alphabetical order): AAR Japan, Associations of Parents with Children with Disabilities, Bactria Cultural Center, Bureau of Human Rights, Caritas Germany, Cesvi, Handicap International, Iroda, Ishtirok, Mission East, Public Organization of the Blind in Tajikistan, Rushdi Incluziya, SIDA, Special Olympics, Tajikistan Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions, STMAC, UNDP, UNICEF, Union of Craftsmen of Tajikistan, Union of the Deaf in Republic of Tajikistan, UNV.
