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Sent: March 30, 2012 13:10
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Subject: AUTISM AWARENESS DAY SHOULD SPUR GLOBAL ACTION TO COMBAT
DISCRIMINATION, SAYS BAN

AUTISM AWARENESS DAY SHOULD SPUR GLOBAL ACTION TO COMBAT DISCRIMINATION,
SAYS BAN New York, Mar 30 2012  1:10PM The annual observance of
<"http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/index.shtml">World Autism Awareness
Day should spur global action to combat the "unacceptable" discrimination,
abuse and isolation that people with the disorder and their loved ones face,
according to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

"Autism is not limited to a single region or a country; it is a worldwide
challenge that requires global action," states Mr. Ban's
<"http://www.un.org/en/events/autismday/2012/sgmessage.shtml">message for
the Day, observed annually on 2 April. "People with autism are equal
citizens who should enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms."

In December 2007, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution
declaring 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day in an effort to draw
attention to a pervasive disorder that affects tens of millions around the
globe. Autism is characterized by varying degrees of impairment in
communication skills and social interactions and in restricted, repetitive
patterns of behaviour. 

In his message, Mr. Ban noted that although developmental disabilities such
as autism begin in childhood, they persist throughout a person's life. 

"Our work with and for people with autism should not be limited to early
identification and treatment; it should include therapies, educational plans
and other steps that lead us towards sustained, lifelong engagement," he
stated. "Reaching out to people with autism spectrum disorders requires
global political commitment and better international cooperation, especially
in sharing good practices."

He stressed the need for greater investments in the social, education and
labour sectors, since developed and developing countries alike still need to
improve their capacities to address the unique needs of people with autism
and cultivate their talents.

"We also need to promote further research, train non-specialized care
providers, and enable the autism community to more easily navigate care
systems to obtain services that can support and mainstream individuals with
autism," said the Secretary-General.

Today in New York, Vienna and Geneva, the UN Postal Administration (UNPA)
released six commemorative postage stamps and two collectible envelopes
dedicated to autism awareness, with images created by artists who have been
diagnosed with autism. 

The stamps will send a "powerful message to people around the world that
talent and creativity live inside all of us," said Mr. Ban.

The UN is the only organization in the world which is neither a country nor
a territory that is permitted to issue postage stamps. It is the only postal
authority to issue stamps in three different currencies - the United States
dollar, the Swiss franc and the euro. 

UNPA's chief, David Failor, told a news conference in New York that the
selection process enabled the agency to discover the many hidden talents
that people diagnosed with autism have. 

"Probably the best part of the process, that we learned, is the talents that
some of these people have and working with their families and their
relatives and their supporters, and what a great network of people that
there is around the world that are really passionate about the subject and
want to help raise awareness about it," he said.

UNPA originally intended to pick three designs to feature on each of the
three denominations that it issues stamps for. However, the artwork received
was so good that it decided to feature eight designs from among the 200
different pieces of artwork it received.

The stamps will go on sale in New York, Vienna and Geneva beginning on
Monday.
Mar 30 2012  1:10PM
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