SCA awarded international certificate on inclusive education
SCA has been awarded a certificate during the three days Zero Project Conference, confirming SCA’s commitment to service delivery, advocacy and capacity development in the area of inclusive education. The conference was held in the United Nations office Vienne International Center, Austria. SCA was selected as one of the 98 Innovative Practices and Policies from 300 nominations.
“Our commitment is particularly seen in creating inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream schools in a war-torn country,” says Mr. Joseph M. Evans, SCA inclusive education advisor, who attended the conference and received the certificate.
Zero Project, founded in March 2008, is a Foundation launched by Mr. Martin Essl a renowned entrepreneur of Austria, his wife Gerda and their children.
Essl Foundation is dedicated to supporting people in need, promoting public awareness about helping others and supporting research. The Foundation works together with World Future Council (based in Hamburg – Germany) and European Foundation Centre based in Brussels – Belgium. The mission of Zero Project is to work for a world with zero barriers according to the goals and principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
According to Mr. Joseph, 534 participants from more than 70 countries attended the Conference. Various thematic areas were addressed by respective representatives of organizations, UN Agencies, banks, embassies, parliamentarians, ambassadors, academicians, governments and universities.
During the conference, lack of data about children with disabilities and access to higher education for persons with disabilities were among the challenges identified. According to the participants some countries do not keep data on children with disabilities, whether the children are in school or out of school. Conference participants insisted that barriers must be removed so that persons with disabilities are able to access higher education.
Mr. Joseph says that SCA is seen as one of the organizations with children and persons with disabilities in their heart and practice. Participation in such a Conference confirmed SCA’s commitment to its vision and mission which focuses on Afghanistan free from poverty, dignified life and where human rights are respected so that the Afghan people can participate fully in their own development.
“SCA has now appeared on the World Map and has been invited to attend all other future Conferences held by Zero Project,” Mr. Joseph concluded.