Fund Forum, SISF awarded certificates for supporting Special Olympics athletes in Uzbekistan

November 30, 2011

The Fund Forum and the Social Initiatives Support Fund were awarded certificates for supporting Special Olympics athletes in Uzbekistan. The certificates were presented by Denis M. Doolan, the President and Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia at a conference timed to coincide with the 10th anniversary of Special Olympics Uzbekistan.

The certificates come as recognition of the accomplishments of Special Olympics Uzbekistan over the past decade as well as of the significant contributions by the Fund Forum and the SISF to the development of Special Olympics movement in Uzbekistan, the support of athletes with disabilities and active international cooperation.

In his letter of gratitude to Professor Gulnara Karimova, the Chairperson of the Fund Forum’s Board of Trustees, Doolan says: “We now have more than 16,000 athletes in Uzbekistan, and this would not be possible without your support and the valued assistance of the Fund Forum. We have also been part of the positive development of social inclusion for people with disabilities in Uzbekistan, and this progress is very much appreciated by the athletes’ parents, coaches and volunteers because it makes a big difference to their environment and to the communities they live in. I know that you will continue to focus on issues of social integration and improvement in the lives of people with disabilities in Uzbekistan, and this comes as great encouragement for our work.”

Since its establishment, the Social Initiatives Support Fund has accorded a great amount of attention to issues in social adaption for people with intellectual disabilities. The Program to introduce the National Model of Inclusive Education includes seminars, workshops and Special Olympics games featuring children with disabilities from all parts of Uzbekistan. Also, in conjunction with partners the SISF works to draw public attention to issues related to the social adaptation and support of people with disabilities.

Previously, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia had bestowed certificates of recognition on the SISF and the Women’s Council for supporting children with disabilities and Special Olympics Uzbekistan.

Thanks to collaboration with and support from governmental entities, public and international organization in Uzbekistan the awardee organizations have reached impressive results in the area of protecting the rights of people with disabilities, promoting social integration through sports and active participation in social events, advocacy of healthy lifestyles and tolerance as well as fighting stereotypes.

Special Olympics is the world's largest public health organization for people with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3 million athletes in 175 countries. For more than 43 years, Special Olympics has been spreading the message: people with intellectual disabilities can – and will – succeed when given the chance. It leads the world in researching the concerns of people with intellectual disabilities and how others perceive them while fighting negative stereotypes and misperceptions.