Yerevan, 3 December 2010 - The UN Department of Public Information in Armenia together with Pyunic Armenian Association for the Disabled marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today and opened an exhibition of handicrafts, art works produced by children and adults with disabilities. The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of this year's International Day of Persons with Disabilities is Keeping the promise: mainstreaming disability in the Millennium Development Goals. Among the promises made by world leaders at the MDG Summit in September was a commitment to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Maria Dotsenko, Representative of UN Department of Public Information said: “The UNDPI in Armenia supports the efforts of the Government and civil society aimed to improve the life of persons with disabilities and their integration in society. Very important is that Armenia is among the UN member States who ratified the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which sets out the legal obligations of the states to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. We are dedicated to assist persons with disabilities to overcome negative community stereotypes and develop skills necessary to be more active members of society and UN's assistance is important for us,” said Hakob Abrahamyan, the President of the Pyunic Armenian Association for the Disabled. The UN has recognized that the dignity and the equal rights of all members of the human family are the foundations of freedom, justice and peace in the world. These principles have guided the work of the UN and are enshrined in various instruments such as the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as in documents such as the International Covenants on Human Rights, and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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