Vlašić, Hotel "Pahuljica" November 29, 2011

As part of the project "Human Rights and Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a partnership development project" implemented by the Threshold Center for Independent Living from Helsinki, the Humanitarian Organization Partner from Banja Luka and the Information Center for Persons with Disabilities "Lotos" from Tuzla, and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, the sixth forum of associations and organizations of persons with disabilities from Bosnia and Herzegovina was held on Vlašić at the "Pahuljica" hotel on November 29.

The topic discussed by representatives of organizations of people with disabilities was: "Disabled Persons' Organizations in Bosnia and Herzegovina / Status, Roles and Challenges"The keynote speakers on the topic were Mr. Fikret Zuko, Association of the Blind of Sarajevo Canton and Mr. Zoran Dobraš, Coordination Board of the Federation of Disability Organizations of Republika Srpska, and the moderator was Mr. Suvad Zahirović.

Around thirty representatives of associations and organizations of people with disabilities from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the forum.

The conclusions of this Forum are that the situation is extremely serious and requires the engagement of all organizations of persons with disabilities. Also, networking of alliances and organizations that are willing to work together throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and at all levels of government should be initiated as soon as possible to accelerate the adoption of a unified Law on Organizations of Persons with Disabilities. It was also emphasized that each individual organization should be an equal member of the network and work on its visions and missions, and that joint action should be supported unreservedly by all members of the network.

At the end of the forum, Mr. Suvad Zahirović emphasized that if we strengthen the individual capacities of organizations and create a good environment, only in this way can we contribute to mutual trust and strengthen ourselves in the fight for common interests, and only in this way can we be closer to a common goal.