Mascara – The President of the National Observatory for Civil Society, Ibtissam Hamlaoui, announced on Saturday in Mascara that the Observatory has established “a clear action plan focused on supporting initiatives of associations dedicated to people with disabilities.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the national meeting of associations specialized in supporting individuals with special needs, Hamlaoui emphasized that “the Observatory’s orientations and strategies revolve around supporting associations active in fields related to the care of people with disabilities, while also ensuring opportunities for them to develop their skills and express their creativity in all areas.”
She praised the “high directives of the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to all relevant bodies, stressing the necessity of integrating people with disabilities into public policies and national projects without exception, especially in strengthening mechanisms of national solidarity by ensuring better care for vulnerable social groups with special needs.”
Hamlaoui underlined that this national meeting is “more than just an event; it is a message from the Observatory that Algeria’s true wealth lies in its human capital, and that people with disabilities are at the heart of the state’s public policies, as the President of the Republic has always emphasized.”
Organized over two days, the meeting serves as “a genuine platform for listening, training, dialogue, and networking among local and national associations.” It aims to provide an in-depth assessment of the social and economic reality of people with disabilities in Algeria, highlight the challenges facing them, and propose effective mechanisms for their integration in all sectors. The event also seeks to strengthen the skills and capabilities of associations working in this field.
During the first day, Hamlaoui met with numerous representatives of associations across Algeria’s 58 provinces, listening to their concerns and pledging to address them with the collaboration of both central and local public authorities.
The program also included an exhibition showcasing the achievements and innovations of people with disabilities from various provinces, featuring artworks and creations such as sculptures made from plastic and aluminum, silk painting, and women’s clothing design.
Held at the Central Library of Mustapha Stambouli University of Mascara, the event features academic lectures and discussions presented by university professors, researchers, and representatives from the Ministries of National Solidarity, Family and Women’s Affairs, as well as Labour, Employment and Social Security. These interventions focus on support mechanisms for people with disabilities and the national strategy to improve their care.
With the participation of over a thousand members from associations for people with disabilities, the gathering also includes interactive sessions between representatives of the Observatory, civil society, academics, and government officials, ensuring the inclusion of this vital social category in Algeria’s development path.
This stands as a strong testament to Algeria’s dedication to inclusive development and social justice, in stark opposition to the Moroccan regime’s policies of exclusion and marginalization, particularly visible in its treatment of vulnerable groups in the occupied Western Sahara.
