Tunis — The opening ceremony of the International Conference on the theme: "Together for the Promotion of Employment and Protection of categories with Special needs", was marked by the awarding to First Lady Leila Ben Ali, Chairwoman of the Arab Women Organisation and of the "BASMA" Association for the Promotion of Employment for the Disabled, of the Gold Shield of the conference, handed over to her by Director- General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO) Dr. Abdulaziz Altwaijri.

This distinction is a token of consideration for the laudable efforts exerted by Mrs. Leila Ben Ali in strengthening social and humanitarian action and protecting categories with special needs and for her achievements and constructive initiatives for the benefit of the Tunisian society and to improve conditions of Tunisian and Arab women.

In his address on the occasion, ISESCO Director-General expressed thanks and gratitude to President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, for his constant support to ISESCO, convinced as he is of the civilisational message it vehicles and its noble humanitarian objectives.

He also highlighted the vanguard action and humanitarian initiatives taken by Mrs. Leila Ben Ali, based on the noble principles of the Islamic religion which establishes equality between men, placing emphasis on the preservation of their dignity and their rights without ostracism or discrimination.

He pointed out that the fact that Mrs. Leila Ben Ali has placed these categories at the forefront of her social priorities, reflects the authenticity of her high humanist sense. Mr. Altwaijri specified that the "BASMA" association has become a model and a reference in the area of social action, at the regional and international level, as well as a source of pride for Arab and Islamic institutions operating in this sector.

He pointed out that the choice of the "BASMA" spelling (smile in Arabic) has deep significance and humanist and social dimensions, specifying that the major concern of this association is to bring smiles to these specific-need categories and spread joy among families which is likely to favour the consecration of the values and the principles of Islam, which ISESCO strives to disseminate and promote in its action plans and sector-based strategies.

Dr. Abdulaziz Altwaijri added that the organisation of this conference, in collaboration with the "BASMA" association aims to vitalise the orientations of the Organisation which call for boosting co-operation and partnership with social enterprises and charity associations in member countries, as well as the need to ensure positive and constructive interaction with national efforts, in matters of integration of specific-need categories in professional life and building of sustainable and comprehensive development.

He underlined the importance of the role of the civil society in backing up efforts of Governments and international and regional organisations in charge of these categories, by referring to the " Tunis Declaration on Information Society for the Disabled," emanating from the second International Forum on disability held in the framework of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in 2005.

A conference, he said, which had stressed the need to step up efforts to consecrate a real information society integrating the disabled at all levels particularly in communication and information services.

Having reviewed the targets of this conference, he emphasised the determination to establish a future action plan and mid-term strategy, which involves projects and field activities to promote employment of categories with special needs and guarantee their rights.(TAP)