The United Nations hopes that this year’s World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April, will provide a global perspective on the neurological and developmental disorder.
The UN is calling on member countries to mark the day by creating awareness about autism and to take action to protect and help those with the disorder.
This year’s theme is “Empowering Autistic Voices.”
In keeping with this theme, the UN will feature autistic panellists, from all walks of life, from Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin American and the Caribbean, North America and Oceania.
According to the UN’s website, “The speakers will provide their thoughts on the state of affairs in their respective regions, as well as the importance of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for autistic people to be able to thrive.”
The Institute of Neurodiversity (ION) is collaborating with the United Nations on this year’s event. The ION is an organisation, headquartered in Switzerland, that represents and empowers neurominorities with the focus on acceptance, appreciation, education and advocating for equal opportunities and human rights.
The internationally recognised day was first adopted in late 2007 after Moza bint Nasser Al-Missned, the United Nations Representative from Qatar, proposed the idea, which was subsequently supported by all member states.
World Autism Day is one of only seven official health-specific UN Days.
There are around 75 million people with autism globally and according to the World Health Organization, 1 in 100 children are diagnosed with the spectrum disorder.
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