Little People of Kosova

Little People of Kosova has been accredited to participate in the work of the Ad Hoc Committee of the UN's General Assembly on a drafting the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Last event

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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

03 December 2009

Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Office for Good Governance organized conference on the occasion of marking the 3rd December, International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The aim of this conference was to promote the work of Government in the area of disability, understanding disability aspects, and commitment to build support for dignity, the rights of persons with disabilities.

During the conference spoke: Director of Post and Telecommunication of Kosovo Dr. Hoxha, Mr.Michael L.Giffoni - Italian Ambassador in the Republic of Kosovo, Habit Hajredini – Director of Office of Good Governance in prime Office, Hiljmnijeta Apuk – Human Rights Defender of Persons with Disabilities, Bujar Kadriu - representative of Blind Association and Afrim Malici – representative of NGO Hendikos and he promoted publication of Guidelines for Citizens, Persons with Disabilities and Institutions – “To know how “.

Exhibition of authentic culture of persons with disabilities

As a part of the Conference of International Day of Persons with Disabilities NGO Little People of Kosova organized exhibition of authentic culture of persons with disabilities of author Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk.

“We refuse any longer to hide our differences. Rather, we will explore, develop and celebrate our diversity by our authentic culture of persons with disabilities and offer its lessons to the world.” – said Ms. Apuk.

Dr. Shyqyri Haxha, Humanitarian Personality of the Year

Chief Executive Officer of PTK Dr. Shyqyri Haxha received one more appreciation on Thursday. Kosovo Coalition of Associations for the Blind and Visually Impaired has granted the award “Haxhi Leti” to Dr. Haxha.

The Post and Telecom of Kosovo, under the management of Dr. Haxha, has done more than any other institution in the field of training and solidarity, by promoting commitment to building support for the dignity, rights and welfare of persons with disabilities.

“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to provide assistance, to bring joy through a job and to give donations, no matter how modest, to the people with disabilities. But if such help and support to you does not continue, then the appreciation that you granted to me today shall not have the praiseworthy value”, said Dr. Haxha, who also urged other companies and institutions to provide support to these categories.

from left Chief Executive Officer of PTK

Dr. Shyqyri Haxha received award.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December 2009

Inclusion of persons with disabilities in realizing the Millennium Development Goals - MDGs

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities. The Day provides an opportunity to mobilize action to achieve the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities.

Little People of Kosovo and partnership of NGOs by Voluntary Promotional Program of DMD (Disability Mentoring Days) continue to work for the lobbying to the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The MDGs can only be achieved if persons with disabilities and their family members are included. Efforts to achieve the MDGs and implement the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.

A major focus of the Day is practical action to further implement international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities and to further their participation in social life and development on the basis of equality. The media have especially important contributions to make in support of the observance of the Day - and throughout the year - regarding appropriate presentation of progress and obstacles implementing disability-sensitive policies, programmes and projects and to promote public awareness of the contributions by persons with disabilities to the development of their communities.

Implementation of the

National Disability Action Plan

Workshop
02 December 2009, Pristina

The workshop was organized by the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo/Office of Good Governance together with Italian Co-operation – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.

This workshop aimed to analyze the main achievements in the implementation of the National Disability Action Plan by all parties involved, the identification of challenges and at the same time, the coordination of programs and projects for the 2010 Plan.

The workshop gathered representatives from Government, Institutions, Ministries and Non – Government Organizations – NGOs.

Two-day workshop

23 and 24 October 2009

Workshop was organized in partnership with MLA (multilateral Academy gGmbH (MLA) from Germany and Bosnia. Activities of the MLA are supporting to the states in process of stabilization to South Eastern Europe, the integration of the countries into the European community and encourage regional identity.

This two-day workshop promoted the Starting Initiative that prepared base-structural projects for reducing barriers and to increase access for persons with disabilities by implementation of Antidiscrimination Law.

This workshop served for the development of networking structures and activities to awareness raising in accordance with the subject matter, to thus accelerate the removal of barriers for persons with disabilities.

Starting as an initiative followed the preparations for the following specific objectives:

- Verification of the foundation set the central points

- Coordination with possible partners

Mr. Matthias Rösch from mla - Germany and Suada Zeba Hadzialic from mla – BiH participated actively in the workshop.

Greetings from Pristina to Washington DC regarding DMD global event

21 October 2009

On occasion of Disability Mentoring Day – DMD global event in Kosovo on October 21, 2009 Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk sent warmest greetings from Pristina to Washington DC with messages “ respect for integrity, dignity and differences of persons with disabilities”.

Disability Mentoring Day - DMD was born in USA during 1999 and today many countries follow this event, while the central ceremony of DMD is held at the same time in all over the world every third Wednesday of October.

In Kosovo DMD started to organize in 2002 and now is traditional.

Mr. Cemailj Kurtisi, Deputy of President of municipality Prizren has organized one day employment or 40 persons with disabilities and he organized every day some event during this campaign.

Marking of this day is supported by PTK - Post and Telecommunications of Kosovo.

"Social Inclusion: Getting on Track with the Millennium Development Goals in Kosovo",

Conference: 20 October 2009

The conference aimed to bring together Members of Parliament from the Committees of the Assembly of Kosovo, Members of Parliament from the region, Government Institutions, civil society, donors, private sector with the long-term goal to advance MDGs and Social Inclusion in Kosovo.

During the Conference Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk discussed MDGs - The Millennium Development Goals and disability that MDGs cannot be achieved without the full and effective inclusion of persons with disabilities and their participation in all stages of the MDGs processes.

October - Disability Employment Awareness Month

Disability Mentoring Day - DMD

October - Disability Employment Awareness Month is new free initiative of US that increase equal opportunities to employment for persons with disabilities.

Action of DMD brings:

- increase economic

- fight against poverty

- decrease of unemployment

This month, we rededicate ourselves to fostering an inclusive work culture that welcomes the skills and talents of all qualified employees. During Disability Employment Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves to implementing effective policies and practices that increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

A job can provide financial stability, help maximize our potential, and allow us to achieve our dreams.



		VIDEO CLIP in three languages

One month awareness campaign

September - Month of Anti Discrimination

During this month a series of activities will be undertaken, under the motto "Respect Differences - Against Discrimination".

The announcement of the anti-discrimination month is aimed to sensitive public opinion regarding the promotion of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation in conformity with international Human Rights standards.

Persons with disabilities are multiple discriminated on ground of their mental or physical disability, gender, age ...


	Discrimination can happen to anyone It can happen to you It can be because: of your disability, of your nationality, of your gender, of your language, of your religion of belief, of your marital status, of your age, of your sexual orientation, of your ethnic origin. of your social origin or any other status;
				VIDEO CLIP in three languages

A FORGOTTEN PROMISE

FUND RAISING FOR VICTIMS OF LEAD POLLUTION IN IDP-CAMPS IN KOSOVO

DONATION FOR ROMA CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

08 August 2009

Danish KFOR donated wheelchairs, crutches and toys for Roma children with disabilities from Roma Mahalla in southern Mitrovica. Donation was delivered by leaders of NGO Little People of Kosovo and NGO Roma Women for Roma Women.

APPEAL FOR ROMA RIGHTS
29 August 2009

Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk, Human Rights Defender visited a most toxic Roma Camps in northern Mitrovica. She appeals to donors for urgently help Roma children with disabilities and protection their rights according new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Toxic camps

In past decade, children and their families of internally displaced Roma, Ashkali and Kosovan- Egyptian families (RAE) approx. 200 families live in three temporary camps Osterode, Cesmin Lug / Çesmin Llug and Kablar (northern part of Mitrovice/a) on highly toxic land next to hundreds tons tailings of lead and other heavy metals.

"It is clear that lead contamination has damaged the health of people in the camps," said Troszczynska-van Genderen. "Children are especially badly affected, with some suffering from stunted physical and mental growth."

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/06/23/kosovo-act-now-close-poisoned-camps

The highest lead levels in medical history

Some results of lead pollution especially in young children were found to be the highest in recorded medical history.

“Many of the lead levels of the Gypsy children in these three camps were over 65 μg/dL, the highest level the WHO machine could read. WHO staff suspected that some children (because of their symptoms) had lead levels in the 80s and 90s. As it turned out, two children had a lead level of 120 μg/dL, the highest in medical history.

… the lead poisoning in north Mitrovica is unique, which has never been known before in history. This is one of the biggest catastrophes connected with lead in the world and in history…” (Speech delivered by Mr. Polansky in the Brussels hearing, link to http://www.savethesekids.com/ )

Medical Evacuation

Large health consequences of RAE children and their families require urgent medical evacuation from the dangerously toxic camps Osterode and Cesmin Lug / Çesmin Llug.

In the beginning of August, fourteen internally displaced RAE families are evacuated from the poisoned camps from the northern part of Mitrovica and they are returned to their new apartments and houses in Mahalla in the southern part of Mitrovica. The medical evacuation was financed by international donors.

Unfortunately, the evacuee children and their families carried contaminated things from toxic camps to new houses because of donors did not provide new furniture, bedding, footwear and clothing in the required amount.

Health problems for the rest of their lives

Tragically, children from the lead-contaminated Roma camps in northern Mitrovica are most vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and they became disabled for rest of their lives. Also, high levels of lead pollution can cause death.

Lead poisoning affects children and toxic substances can negatively affect their physical and mental development.

Protection rights of Roma children with disabilities

Life in highly toxic temporary camps points to the fact that Roma children with disabilities are multiple discriminated on base of their origin, race, social status and disabilities and they stay isolated in poverty and without any adequate medical care.

We ask for urgent financial and medical assistance for our people in most toxic camps of lead and other heavy metals. We ask for a chance for our children to live.

In the camps children are born with a high percentage of lead and other heavy metals in their blood, which causes permanent physical and mental disabilities and our children need immediate medical treatment. “says Elizabeta Bajrami, lieder of NGO Roma Women for Roma Women.

Ambassador Werner Almhofer, Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo hosted a multiethnic group of Children's Ambassadors with and without disabilities occasion of International Children's Day,

01 June 2009.

The multiethnic group of Children's Ambassadors with / out disabilities sent letter to children of the OSCE region, from Vancouver to Vladivostok on the occasion of International Day of Children and they invited to join a celebration of the third birthday of new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and to become a reality in every country, allowing children with disabilities to grow up equally with others.

The Children's Ambassadors reminded the adults that every tenth child in the world is permanently or temporarily disabled and their psychophysical states often require families and society to show more consideration for prevention of development of disabilities.

"In the 21 century, we want to see a democratic environment adapted to the rights and needs of children with and without disabilities." - messaged the Children's Ambassadors to the world.



	Ambassador Werner Almhofer, Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo with Children's Ambassadors

Artist and Human Rights Defender Ms. Hiljmnijeta Apuk has made voluntary the video clip at International Children’s Day at same time it promotes authentic culture of persons with disabilities and rights of children with/out disabilities that is contained in new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - CRPD.

RTK, Channel 21, TV Most and TV MIR published a video clip.



English		Romany
Albanian		Bosnian
Serbian		Turkish

	VIDEO CLIP in three languages

National Action Plan

for Persons with Disabilities in Republic of Kosovo

2009 - 2011

The Government delegated the responsibility of drafting the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities (NAPPD) to the Office of the Prime Minister/Office of Good Governance, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities (OPM/OGG).

On the basis of these responsibilities, the Office of the Prime Minister/Office of Good Governance, Human Rights and Equal Opportunities had led the drafting process and it has coordinated cooperation with all respective Government institutions at the central and local level, and with international experts, different organizations which represent Persons with Disabilities in Kosovo and Little People of Kosovo participated actively in this process.

The Government in its 62nd meeting held on 29 April 2009, continuing to take responsibility for fulfilling its program obligations, on this occasion approved the National Action Plan for Persons with Disabilities for the years 2009 – 2011.

In order to be more transparent and to inform the public about this process, the OPM/OGG organized a conference to launch the National Working Plan for Persons with Disabilities.

The approval of this plan also has a symbolic importance, since for the first time in Kosovo a document was approved which clearly shows what we have to do as institutions, but also as society to improve the quality of life of all Persons with Disabilities in Kosovo .

The Conference to launch the National Working Plan for Persons with Disabilities was held on 23 May 2009.

International Women’s Day

08 March 2009

Girls and women of all ages with any form of disability are among the more vulnerable and marginalized of society. There is therefore need to take into account and to address their concerns in all policy-making and programming. Special measures are needed at all levels to integrate them into the mainstream of development.

Awareness statement

Happy Family of Equal Men and Women

Respect to all the woman of the world and I wish you that every day seems as this one – International Women’s Day. Let us remember that female gender makes half the population of the planet and among them every 10th woman with temporary or permanent psychophysical disabilities, and we seek effective participation in a society based on indiscrimination and equality with everyone else. Special measures are needed at all levels to integrate them into the mainstream of development.

Girls and women with disabilities of any age are more vulnerable and marginalized groups of society, and therefore, they are being discriminated against on bases of gender and disabilities, and especially if they belong to a minority group.

Mothers with disabilities require special support in services pertinent to fostering of their babies.

Women, and especially women with disabilities are often exposed to a violation of instilled dignity of a human being.

Admitting that life of women with or without psychophysical disabilities in itself is not an easy task, and we are often victims of violence, exploitation and abuse in family and in broader environment, we are often exposed to human trafficking, our freedom of movement is often limited due to patriarchal prejudice or barriers in the environment where we move, we comprise a high percentage in rate of mortality, poverty and illiteracy, and we have a lower percentage of participation in high business, higher education, and higher instances of authority.

Remembering that men in the U.S. are number one lobbyists for women's rights and are giving enormous contribution toward equality of the sexes, we call upon you dear fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, colleagues don't forget us tomorrow, we ask for your partnership for respect toward human diversity in regards to sex (gender), race, limited psychophysical abilities, age, ethnic origin, nationality or any other criteria, and together with you we comprise humankind.

In cooperation with men we can achieve the goals of the 21st century in which women with disabilities will be businesswomen, successful, independent, under health protection, educated, informed, economically independent, and happy in family and society.

Let us be a happy family and carry out our human essence based on equality and without discrimination throughout all 365 days in the year!

Respectfully yours,

Hiljmnijeta Apuk, Human Rights Defender & Director of NGO Little People of Kosovo

http://see.oneworldsee.org/article/view/151857/1/

http://ssla.oneworldsee.org/article/view/151856/1/


	VIDEO CLIP in three languages

Valentine's Day

14 February 2009


English		Romany
Albanian		Bosnian
Serbian		Turkish

	VIDEO CLIP in three languages