Synopsis
The synopsis of the World Congress Theme has affirmed by both the WFD Board and OCWCWFDSA on 21st April 2009, the following:-
We come together to share our cultural heritages, our improved well being, the advancement of our human rights and our rich contribution to global prosperity; to demonstrate we are an essential part of human diversity in the world and its development.
We come to learn from each other, to actively share common responsibility amongst ourselves and in the rest of the world.
We come together at this Congress to collectively face current changes and future challenges confronting Deaf communities across the globe.
We also come together in celebration of our future; to reaffirm the linguistic, cultural and political capacity of national and the worldwide Deaf community, to continue the recognition of sign languages in national laws and international policies, and to celebrate artistic, cultural, economic and social accomplishments.
The XVI World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf aims to inspire its attendees to take forward the concept of a renaissance, a rebirth of Deaf communities worldwide.
Welcome
It is a great pleasure and honor to write the first message as President of World Federation of the Deaf for this new website of XVI WFD Congress 2011 in Durban, South Africa. You all are welcome to enjoy reading these pages and use them as an important source of information for the coming Congress and WFD General Assembly.
DeafSA as one of our 130 Ordinary Members of WFD is a host for the first ever WFD General Assembly and WFD Congress to be held in Africa continent. I am sure it will also bring the biggest number of African Deaf people, activists, professionals, interest groups ever in these important meetings to share their experiences, knowledge and expertise to be used for welfare and improving human rights of Deaf people in Africa and all over the world. It will also be very exciting then to share what we have achieved through using the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the first international Treaty ever that recognizes sign languages and linguistic human rights, linguistic identity and culture of Deaf people. I am sure participants all over the world will enjoy beautiful nature and city of Durban and South African culture with its great hospitality and friendliness as well.
Dear users of this website, I am sure you use actively this to prepare yourselves to participate in these important international events and learn more about DeafSA and its activities.
Wishing you enjoyable and useful moments with this website,
Markku Jokinen
WFD President
