KARACHI (NPTV/UN): Ever since the UNGA designated 2nd April as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) in 2007, the UN has observed the day as a means to affirm and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for autistic people on an equal basis with others.
Neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
Bringing together global experts, policymakers, and autistic voices, the event features keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, addressing areas such as inclusive healthcare, education, employment, and urban development. T
In 2025’s discussion explores the role of neurodiversity in shaping policies that promote accessibility, equality, and innovation across multiple sectors. Discussions focus on inclusive healthcare, quality education, workplace accessibility, reducing inequalities, and designing autism-friendly cities and communities.
The 2025 WAAD event is organized by the Institute of Neurodiversity (ION), with the support of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. ION is a neuro minority-founded and led global membership organization headquartered in Switzerland, with a presence in 40 countries worldwide.
As the largest, most globally represented neurodiversity initiative, ION works to empower neurominorities, advocate for equal opportunities, and promote acceptance and education.
By fostering dialogue and collaboration across multiple sectors, World Autism Awareness Day 2025 will reinforce the need for sustained efforts to eliminate barriers, promote inclusive policies, and recognize the contributions of autistic individuals to society and the achievement of the SDGs.
All you need to know about autism. An interview with Roohi Maroof.
Children from Al-Umeed Rehabilitation Association (AURA) converged at the lawns of Alliance Française de Karachi (French Cultural Centre) to enjoy a day full of fun & frolic!
Lady behind the organization is Goshi Minwalla Masnata, a karachiite by birth. Wife of Swiss Ambassador to Pakistan Silvio Masnata, she traveled the world and said was very content to be back home.
Speaking about Al-Umeed she said: “These children belong to an organization that we formed with my family. We have 200 disabled children that we pick up every day from the streets and bring to our center.
“We have teachers to teach them, we have physiotherapy for the very disabled ones and we have been very successful. Unfortunately, we can’t take more and more children. There is a waiting list for about 50 more.
“I’m trying to expand our facilities to see if we can take in more children…Financially my family and our members help. Unfortunately, a lot of our donors have left Karachi or are not here anymore but we manage to keep it running, we have a committee of 5 or 6 people.
“The Habib foundation helps and so we are able to survive. They are all basically poor children so the parents are very grateful that they’ve had two hot meals a day from us and the education. We now have children that have grown with us.
“At the age of 15-16, they go and get jobs. We’ve had three people who we have managed to place into banks. If they are not totally disabled, they are able to go and work. Well, they get a full education and we try to teach them skills and things that they can do with their hands.
“But a lot of them, as you can see, are totally crippled. Their minds are quite sharp, some of them, so they are taken into wheelchairs and given jobs. Their family members, I take in a couple of them, to teach them. The women, housework so that they can go out and do housework as they grow up.
“We don’t try to keep them after the age of 15 or 16, but when we have them they start from five years old. Yes, we try our best. I’m very happy to say that Pakistanis are basically very caring people and I show a lot of them to do very good work.”
In Seoul, South Korea, an art exhibition was held at the Seoul Art Center where 43 artists with developmental disabilities participated in the exhibition of over 100 different paintings. Among them were artists Hansol Kim and Shinhey Park. We go behind-the-scenes to follow them in their daily lives and see that they are ultimately no different from the rest of humanity, and that overcoming the inequalities they face will benefit all of society.
This video depicts young film-maker Benjamin Rosloff’s visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and his interview with (the then) UN’s Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon. Before the interview, Benjamin had the opportunity to explore and film the building including art and photo exhibits from all over the world. The video – produced for the World Autism Awareness Day (2 April 2016) – reflects on Benjamin’s future and how it relates to major global issues.
Newspakistan.tv
