The World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 continued to build on the momentum of the opening day, bringing together some of the most notable experts in the field of rights and inclusion
The World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 continued to build on the momentum of the opening day, bringing together some of the most notable experts in the field of rights and inclusion. This landmark event featured a series of insightful sessions and discussions, with a focus on the role of social security and international collaboration.
International Cooperation
The second day kicked off with a conference on the key role of social security in rehabilitation, chaired by Dr. Mohammed Azman, President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA). Dr. Azman expressed his delight that the stage featured speakers from four different continents, offering diverse perspectives on the subject. Dr. Susanne Weinbrenner, Medical Director and Head of Department for Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Social Medicine at German Pension Insurance, emphasized the critical importance of social security in rehabilitation during her keynote address. She detailed how demographic shifts, economic conditions, and global crises perpetually challenge the stability of the social security framework, which is essential for successful rehabilitation.
Perspectives on the role of social security from Zambia, Germany, and Canada were also put forward, with Patrick Siampwili, Chief Executive Officer, Workers’ Compensation Fund Board speaking on incentives currently being provided to employers in Zambia to include persons with disabilities within the workforce. He stated, “we need to see policy alignment to ensure that rehabilitation services are embedded with employee work benefit packages,” reflecting on current policy discussions happening in the country today.
Simultaneously, a seminar session, titled “Belt and Road”, showcased cooperation between China and Arabian countries in which several Chinese corporations presented innovative solutions to help the people of determination. The seminar opened with a fascinating ‘Chinese Assistive Technology Mini-Exhibition’, followed by a welcoming speech by His Excellency Abdullah Al-Humaidan, Secretary General of the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination. His Excellency highlighted the importance of having individuals of disability fully engaged into society and enabling them to contribute to regional, governmental and social activities. He further commented that by streamlining a country’s efforts and enforcing cooperation across the world, People of Determination can not only be included into society, but also be empowered as the key contribution of the UAE’s shared economy.
Exclusive Insights
The second day of the congress also highlighted different practices within the professional industry that can help the special needs society to contribute to the economy and the developing world. Dr. Stefan Hussy, CEO of German Social Accident Insurance who chaired the plenary discussion under the title of ‘Showcasing Best Practices in Work and Employment’, said “in the world where inclusion and diversity are increasingly becoming the focus of social and economic disorder, the issue of labor market participation for people of determination remains at their heart of many challenges and opportunities.” Hussy called onto all audience to contribute in creating a society that includes every individuals as “everyone matters.”
In the same session Dr. Pauliina Lampinen from Finland presented the RATKO model that is designed to help recruiters and Human Resources (HR) managers to hire candidates from the people of determination, choosing them based on the needs of the company. Similarly, Dr. Heidie Kershaw, Founder and CEO of the Global Autism Coalition (GAC), emphasized the importance of appreciating neurodiverse people stating that a “different way of thinking is actually an advantage.” She said, “for that same reason that the Zayed Higher Organization uses the term people of determination, language around the world is changing to more perfectly capture what the autistic brain can do, instead of what it cannot do.”
Another highlight of the informative sessions taking place at the congress was a session titled ‘Accessibility and Rehabilitation Impact on Participation For All’, chaired by Jan Johansen, Chief Executive Officer, and Lucia Lasaga, Founder of Tripper. In the session, Eng. Dania Al-Adhami from Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, and Eng. Aaesha Al Shehyari, Compliance & Quality Monitoring Executive Department of Culture & Tourism in Abu Dhabi, spoke on the subject of ‘Empowering Accessibility: Enhancing Leisure and Recreation for All’. They reviewed top solutions in the tourism industry that cater to people of determination, emphasizing the integration of assistive technologies in hotels which address physical, auditory, and visual needs.
On the second day of the Congress, ZHO and its partners reaffirmed their dedication to leading innovative rehabilitation techniques and improving the quality of care for people of determination. The sessions provided valuable insights and practical strategies, promising to impart groundbreaking knowledge and skills to healthcare professionals.
The World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 will continue for its final day on 25 September, providing a vital forum for industry leaders to share insights, collaborate on solutions, and advance progress towards a more inclusive and supportive future for People of Determination.