Down Syndrome Kosova has organized and hosts on 28th 29th October 2010 a conference focusing on early intervention and support for children with additional educational needs. This event is supported by the European Union and is the first of its kind in the western Balkans, with the aim of promoting regional communication and sharing experiences and knowledge related to early intervention and support.
The conference brings together many national, 221 participants from regional and international professionals and focuses primarily on the needs and education of children with Down syndrome. Professionals in education and training are attending from the United Kingdom, Germany, Kosovo, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania.
The principal objectives of the conference are:
- To discuss the concerns and challenges faced by children with disabilities, their families and communities, and relevant institutions in western Balkan countries.
- To share ideas and discuss current practices in countries in the region, the UK, the rest of Europe and internationally.
- To discuss the opportunities to build appropriate environments for children with additional educational needs to be included in public education in the western Balkan countries and how this will further serve to improve their potential.
- To create a regional group of interested parties and professionals in the Balkan region who will promote early intervention in all countries across the region, strive for best practice, work together to implement early support programmes and lobby governments to introduce new practices as a part of their responsibility to ensure that all children have access to education as an essential human right.
Bob Black, Education Officer of Downs Syndrome Association UK, spoke in the first session of the UK’s willingness to share their experiences with the Balkan countries in the following key areas:
- Breaking the news to parents, family members and others
- Early intervention
- Education
- Vocational inclusion
- Independence and social inclusion.
Cora Halder, President of the European Down Syndrome Association, then spoke of her experience as a mother of someone with Down syndrome, and stressed that the parents and family are the key to successful early intervention, with early development of children depending on acceptance, expectations, living in an inclusive environment and the recourses of the family.
Representatives from the Western Balkan countries who were able to attend the conference gave a brief overview the provision of early intervention and support for children with additional learning needs in their countries.
Ivan Stancioff from Bulgaria showed a short video showing the support provided by the Karin Dom Centre in Bulgaria. Ingrid Jones from Albania outlined the provision there. Marta Soregi from Serbia talked about the provision of the services in early intervention and inclusive education in Zeta ahead, Vojvodina, Serbia and two representatives form Slovenia, Andreja Stular gave a parent’s perspective and Dr Bojana Globacnik from the Ministry of education and Sports outlined the programme of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI). Lastly, Aleksandar Karanfiloski gave an account of the early intervention within Croatian Down Syndrome Association.
Establishment of the network took place on the second day of the conference when representatives of government and non-government organizations met and planned the format and functions of the Balkan Early Support Network. The following topics were discussed and a draft action plan was prepared.
This event is part of a 2-year project “Advocacy for Early Intervention program for children with disabilities” , supported by the European Union and managed by the European Commission Liaison Office to Kosovo.