Mrs. Mubarak inaugurates first conference on mentally retarded children

Egyptian First Lady Suzanne Mubarak opened the first conference on preparing leaders caring for the disabled children.

Addressing the inaugural session, Mrs. Mubarak said the convocation of the conference comes as part of Egypt's policy to provide integrated care for all children in Egypt without any discrimination among them.

"The idea of the special Olympics is a turning point in dealing with the disabled and making them interact in the different activities of the society," the first lady added.

Egypt was chosen as the headquarters of the international Special Olympics in the Middle East and North Africa.

Commenting on the choice, Mrs. Mubarak said, "The choice crowns all of our sustainable efforts over prolonged years.

She hoped the conference succeeds in achieving its noble goals in drawing a future vision for the work of leaders in such a domain.

Mrs. Mubarak said the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood was interested in giving suggestions to counter the problems of the disabled children, including those mentally retarded, up to 4 per cent of the total children number and 73 per cent of the disabled in Egypt.

Ismail Othman, Head of Egypt's Special Olympics and Head of Regional Council of the International Special Olympics for the Middle East and Africa, told the conference that the regional Olympics Council comprises 24 states and works for the sake of realizing sport, health and social integration for the disabled.

He called on the first ladies of the 24 member states to back the special Olympics, taking Mrs. Mubarak as an example.

Ministers of Education, Social Affairs, environment and spouses of ministers, governors attended the conference.