International Conference of the Blind in Sarajevo

The International Conference of the Blind titled “Implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – Current State and Perspectives” began today at the Hotel „Terme“ in Ilidža. The organizer of the conference, which will continue its work tomorrow, is the Association of the Blind of Sarajevo Canton, reports the BiH news agency Patria.

The conference was attended by Muamer Bandić, Minister for Labour, Social Policy, Displaced Persons and Refugees of Sarajevo Canton.

- What I can promise is that, together with you, I will advocate for the adoption of legal solutions that will protect and promote your interests, as well as support all practical solutions that will facilitate your movement, all with the aim of creating conditions for your full integration into the social community - emphasized Minister Bandić.

Otherwise, the conference is organized within the framework of the project “Organizational Development”, funded by SIDA/MyRight from Sweden in partnership with the Swedish Association of the Blind.

The Executive Director of the Association of the Blind of Sarajevo Canton, Fikret Zuko, thanked Minister Bandić in his address for his presence at the Conference, as well as for the systemic support that, from the position of the responsible minister, he continuously provides to persons with disabilities and their associations.

Participants in the conference include: the Swedish Association of the Blind, as a partner organization, then the Croatian Association of the Blind, the Association of the Blind of Montenegro, the Association of the Blind of Serbia, the National Union of the Blind from Macedonia, the Association of the Blind of Kosovo, the Union of the Blind of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and associations of the blind from both entities of BiH, as well as representatives of associations of the blind from all cantons of the Federation of BiH.

As announced by the Association of the Blind of KS, the conference plans to define a joint action strategy, with the aim of changing the attitude of state institutions towards the specific problems of blind persons and increasing their social inclusion. A joint declaration of all participants of this two-day conference will also be adopted.