Disponible en anglais seulement
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and Americas Paralympic Committee (APC) are to host a symposium entitled `Paralympic Sport - A Key Driver for Inclusion and Social Change' this Saturday (12 November) in Guadalajara, Mexico ahead of the Opening Ceremony of the 2011 Parapan American Games.
The symposium will focus on the benefit of recognizing the rights of people with a disability to participate on an equal basis in sport and society and aims to generate greater public awareness, acceptance and respect for people with a disability.
Up to 150 people are expected to attend the symposium which will feature a panel of five people, including IPC President Sir Philip Craven, discussing best practice within the region as well as reaffirming their support to the UN Convention for Persons with Disabilities.
Other panelists at the symposium which aims to promote further discussion on how para-sport can bring societal benefits include Octavio Londono, President of APC, Bernardo de la Garza, Director General of the National Council of Physical Culture and Sport (CONADE), Jairo Clopatofsky, President of the American Council of Sport (CADE) and Mario Vásquez Raña, President of PASO.
Sir Philip Craven, said: "Our aim for the symposium is to bring together a number of recommendations which will give greater visibility for participation in sport as a human right for people with an impairment.
"The number of people getting involved in para-sport is growing all the time and this is instrumental in changing perceptions, reducing stigma and discrimination often associated with disability.
"More athletes than ever before are taking part in this year's Parpan American Games and not only will widespread coverage of the Games help change perceptions, I also believe it will empower those with an impairment to recognize their own potential and become advocates for change."
The symposium will take place as the Presidente Hotel, Guadalajara between 10am and 12pm and attendance is by invitation only to National Paralympic Committees, government officials and media.
Shortly after the symposium, the Opening Ceremony for the fourth Parapan American Games will take place at the Telmex Athletics Stadium. Around 1,500 athletes from 23 countries will take part in the Games participating in 13 sports.
The first Parapan American Games took place in Mexico City in 1999 with 1,000 athletes from 18 countries taking part in four sports.
For further information about the 2011 Parapan American Games, please visit http://parapan.guadalajara.org.mx
