The exhibition was organized by the Azerbaijani mission to the UN office in Geneva. INTERVIEW | World Autism Awareness Day: Exhibition at the UN Office in Geneva Health
In his message for World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on governments to invest in ensuring that people with autism spectrum disorder enjoy the same rights as everyone else . The exhibition, organized by the Azerbaijani mission to the UN Office in Geneva, is designed to demonstrate the successes that people with autism achieve with appropriate support.
Anton Uspensky from the UN News Service asked about the exhibition of the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the UN Office in Geneva Galib Israfilov.
AU: Please tell us why this day is important for Azerbaijan and what kind of exhibition it is?
GI: Azerbaijan consistently implements comprehensive approaches to provide support to people suffering from various forms of diseases and disabilities, including autism. We are implementing various cultural events, including the decision to organize an exhibition this year. One of the goals is to increase public awareness of people with autism.
We believe that states and the international community should support these people and also draw attention to their problems. This exhibition is also an attempt to represent the autistic world through art. Art, in our opinion, is one of the forms of expressing the position and views of people with autism on life. And in an inclusive and tolerant society, we believe this view should be taken into account. It is this approach that has a positive impact on the condition of people suffering from autism.
This exhibition is an attempt to represent the world of autism through art
This event was organized with the help of a volunteer center in Geneva and thanks, among other things, to a special structure that supports children with autism, as well as the Inclusive Center, which was created in the Ministry of Labor and Social Security of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan is one of the UN member states that consistently implements the UN General Assembly resolution declaring April 2 as Autism Awareness Day.
Permanent Representative of Azerbaijan to the UN in Geneva Galib Israfilov.
We invited representatives of the diplomatic corps and international organizations to the opening. In general, we see that the community of people living here is not alien to this problem, and we see interest and support. And the exhibition reflects the current state and views of people, especially children, who suffer from autism.
AU: What exhibits are presented at the exhibition?
GI: Here are paintings, works in the field of floristry, as well as sculpture, that is, all areas of art, and we tried to combine them. Today’s exhibition presents mainly children under 18 years of age from Azerbaijan and Geneva.