Message from Henry Enns, Foundator of DPI
Happy New Year 2014
Behind floods and storms the sun remains bright, and front of vital challenges that people with disabilities and their communities face, the memory of the glory days feeds the desire to do and the will to overcome.
May the New Year 2014 bring you this strength and such opportunity to enlighten life.
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 held 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, its successes, 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:
Based on common values and active citizenship, DPI Europe and the DPI Arab Region will develop collaborations and regular meetings to strengthen 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.
DPI Europe wishes a great success to this new Region and rejoices to this reinforcement of the DPI vitality.
Were elected as members of the Executive Committee:
1. Chairperson: Mr. Mouaffak Khafagi (Irak)
2. First Vice chair: Mr. Rafiq Abu Sayfien (Palestine),
3. Second Vice Chair: Mr. Meki Hzami (Tunisia)
4. Secretary: Dr. Nawaf Kabbara (Lebanon)
5. Treasurer: Mr. Mustapha Alrawashdi (Jordania)
6. Women committee chair: Ms Fatima Ajam (Syria)
Were elected to be members of the DPI World Council :
1- Mr. Mouaffak Khafagi (Iraq)
2- Dr. Nawaf Kabbara (Lebanon)
3- Mr. Rafiq Abu Sayfien (Palestine)
4- Mr. Meki Hzami (Tunisia)
5- Ms. Fatima Ajam(Syria)