Dubai, November 17, 2009: The Community Development Authority in Dubai (CDA) participated in an open discussion to strengthen awareness on autism held at Al Bastakiya, Dubai, as part of ‘Documentary Voices: Social Awareness 2009’, which focuses on raising awareness of social issues through documentary films.

CDA’s participation comes in line with its sustained support to people with disabilities specially those with autism. CDA, one of the main sponsors to the initiative, exchanged its expertise and experience in the care and development of people with Autism

More than 200 people attended the session in the presence of a famous artist with Autism Christophe Pillault whose paintings were featured in an exhibition. His mother, Dr Jacqueline Mansourian, gave a lecture surrounding her experience in dealing with autism and its challenges, and how her son discovered his innate talent as a figurative artist despite being with autism.

Sheikh Maktoum Butti Al Maktoum, CEO – Social Care, said: “Autism statistics in the region is of concern with one in every 91 children affected by it. It is extremely important to promote awareness on autism, which is reflected in our participation in Documentary Voices.”

“The discussions with the audience were fruitful and achieved our goal of  shedding light on Autism and raising awareness on how to deal with them. CDA encourages all initiatives that comply with the programmes of its Disability Services,” said Dr Eman Gaad, Director of Disability Services, CDA.

Make Me Perfect, the documentary on the Dubai Autism Centre was screened at the event. CDA representatives were honoured for their efforts at the event as panalist

The Disability Services at CDA also hosted the distinguished artist Christophe Pillault and his family at its headquarters. The United Nations has honoured Christophe by marking his birthday as international day for Autism.

-Ends-

Community Development Authority (CDA):
The CDA is a government entity mandated with enhancing the social development in Dubai to achieve the Dubai strategic plan 2015 which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on February 2007.

The CDA will work towards promoting and raising the social standards in Dubai, and increasing the role of citizens in the community by cooperating with concerned entities in order to achieve the goals of the development sector and to develop the basic structure necessary for this.

The CDA will work on setting up the necessary policies and standards pertaining to social services providers based on its five strategic goals including promotion of national identity, social protection, social inclusion, social empowerment, and social cohesion in Dubai.

© Press Release 2009