[Deaf Arab] The new 6th DPI Arab Region is born

                                                                           The new 6th DPI Arab Region is born

Following the decision of the World Council of DPI in Seoul in September 2007, which engages DPI to establish a new 6th world region of the countries that share the common Arabic language, and after the new membership of six Arab Countries was adopted by the DPI World Council in Durban in October 2011, the first General Assembly of this new DPI Region was hold with success in Beirut, Lebanon, on December 09th 2013.

DPI Europe was represented in this meeting by its chairperson, Mr. Jean-Luc Simon, who presented to the new DPI Members the history of this global movement of citizens, it's success, its structures and the projects for the future to which he thanks the Disability movement for Human Rights from Arabic countries to participate.

Mr. Mouaffak Khafagi  was elected as the Chairperson of this new 6th region of DPI for the next four years, and will seconded in this mission by an executive committee of 6 members and 5 World Council Members, listed below.

Executive committee:

First Vice chair: Mr. Rafiq Abu Sayfien (Palestine), physical disability.

Second Vice Chair: Mr. Meki Hzami (Tunis), blind

Secretary: Dr. Nawaf Kabbara (Lebanon), physical disability.

Treasurer: Mr. Mustapha Alrawashdi (Jordan), blind

Women committee chair: Ms Fatima Ajam (Syria), parent

 

World Council Members:

1.      Mr. Mouaffak Khafagi(Iraq)

2.      Dr. Nawaf Kabbara(Lebanon)

3.      Mr. Rafiq Abu Sayfien(Palastine)

4.      Mr. Meki Hzami(Tunis)

5.      Ms. Fatima Ajam(Syria) or Mr.Khawad Mohamad Ibrahim(Sudan)

Based on common values and active citizenship, DPI Europe and the DPI Arab Region will develop collaborations and regular meetings to strength the implementation of the CRPD with international institutions as UNESCO, ILO, Council of Europe and Arab League, within programs in which their common objectives will be to assure the participation and the training of experts with disabilities.