Raising Voices for Inclusive Education
TFD Network Media Events

Presenters at the event in Beni Suef.

Saturday, 25 November 2006 in Beni Suef
Organizers: Community. Development. Association of Ga’afar and Ekhlas Coptic Organization for Development

Participants: 60-65 people including two representatives from local Ministry of Education offices, ten headmasters from public and special primary schools, members of Disabled Youth Network, and mothers and children with disabilities.

Program: PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Nashat Nasif from Ekhlas Board of Directors highlighting gaps and discrepancies in Egyptian laws and practices related to education for children with disabilities. Comments by Dr. Nabil Sisostres, TFD Network Coordinator. Personal stories, questions and comments from parents and children with disabilities

Media: Channel 7 TV, Al Ahram newspaper, Al Goumeraya newspaper. Channel 7 broadcast conference coverage on 27 November.

Sunday, 26 November 2006 in Minia
Organizer: Nor El Omman Association

Participants: 35 people including undersecretary of Ministry of Social Solidarity from Minia, a member of People’s Assembly, head of the Minia Education Committee of National Democratic Party, multiple representatives from local Ministry of Education offices, and headmasters of public primary schools,

Program: Mr. Gamil Moktar introduced Nor El Omman Association, Dr. Nabil Sisostres introduced TFD Network and its advocacy campaign. Mr Ashraf Nasr, CEOSS Project Manager, facilitated open discussion on inclusive education.

Media: Channel 7 TV, one newspaper reporter.
Channel 7 broadcast conference coverage on 7 December.

Wednesday, 29 November 2006 in Cairo
Organizer: New Horizons Association for Social Development

Participants: 25 persons including 15-20 mothers and disabled, 3 children in wheel chairs, 5 NGO representatives, 2 representatives from Ministry of Social Solidarity

Program: Dr. Naguib Khouzam, Director of SETI Center for Training in Cairo gave a PowerPoint presentation highlighting gaps and discrepancies in Egyptian laws and practices related to education for children with disabilities, and SETI’s project of including children with disability in 15 public schools in 3 Egyptian governorates. Parents present gave several good examples of convincing schools to include children with mild disabilities. Parents also gave experiences of exclusion.

Media: Expected news reporter did not attend.

Saturday, 2 December 2006 in Cairo
Organizer: New Horizons Association for Social Development

Participants: 35- 40 persons including mothers and children with disabilities, representatives from 8 NGOs, ten representatives from Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Program: Dr Abdel Hamid Kabesh, director of Islamic Relief Egypt, spoke about the gaps and inconsistencies of laws governing inclusion of children with disabilities in public school. A representative from Candles Association, providing legal services to families of persons with disabilities, spoke about their experience. Families shared stories of the challenges they face making a decent life for children with disabilities. There was open discussion.

Media: 4 newspaper reporters attended.

Thursday, 7 December 2006 in Alexandria
Organizer: Village of Hope Association

Participants at the media event in Alexandria.

Participants: Approximately 200 persons including Dr. Alaa Sebeh, Save the Children UK MENA Disability Advisor; Mr Khalil Moustafa Khalil, lawyer for National Council of Childhood and Motherhood; Gehane El Sharkawy, National Council of Childhood and Motherhood; TFD lawyer Mr Taher Abu Nasr; representatives of concerned NGOs; parents and children with disabilities

Program: Mrs. Hanan Mansour, well known TV newscaster was mistress of ceremonies. Mrs. Nada Thabet, director of Village of Hope, introduced her association; Dr. Nabil Sisostres introduced TFD Network; a series of video clips promoting the abilities of people with disabilities were shown; parents shared three stories of exclusion from education; Mr Taher Abu Nasr used PowerPoint to present proposed amendments to the 1996 Child Law; Mr. Khalil Moustafa Khalil responded positively to the proposed amendments, promising to give them careful consideration; there were questions and comments from the audience.

Media: Multiple TV stations and newspaper reporters present. Articles appeared in Arabic and English language papers in Alexandria. Mrs. Hanan Mansour has scheduled Mr. Khalil Moustafa Khalil, Dr. Alaa Sebeh, and Mrs Nada Thabet to appear on a talk show to discuss importance of including children with disabilities in public primary schools. Footage for show will be filmed on 13 December. Footage will air on Arts Channel on Ein program.

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