Crown Princess of Thailand Accepts International Disability Award at UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan to Make Remarks
NEW YORK, N.Y., June 27- In a ceremony at the United Nations July 2, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Thailand, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, is accepting the fifth annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award on behalf of her country. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and President Roosevelt's granddaughter, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, will be among those presenting the Award to the Crown Princess.
WHO
Thailand's Crown Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will accept the Award. Other prominent speakers include U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan; World Committee on Disability Chairman Alan A. Reich; Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, granddaughter of Franklin Roosevelt; and Kenneth E. Behring, founder, The Wheelchair Foundation.
WHAT
The Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute and the World Committee on Disability,a program of the National Organization on Disability, the sponsors of the Award, will honor Thailand with the Annual Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award. The Award includes a bronze bust of FDR and a $50,000 grant for an outstanding disability program in the selected nation. The Ratchasuda College for the Disabled in Thailand has been selected to receive the cash award. Mr. Behring is donating 1000 wheelchairs in support of the Award. Previous Award winners are the Republic of Korea, Canada, Ireland and Hungary.
WHY
To recognize Thailand's exemplary efforts to improve the lives of people with disabilities, as called for by the U.N. World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons. The Award recognizes a nation that has made noteworthy national progress toward the goal of the U.N. World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons: the full and equal participation of people with disabilities in their societies. Thailand is being recognized for legislation, educational programs, and employment programs designed to benefit people with disabilities.
Details: Thackery@nod.org; fax 202 293 7999; web www.nod.org
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