Croatia: Festival Of Equal Opportunities For People With Disabilities

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inavukic

May 28, 2014

It’s occurring now, May 27 to 29 – Festival of Equal Opportunities (F = M) or I=You in Croatia’s capital Zagreb and 2014 is its 13th year!

The purpose of the festival is to present the creative possibilities program, spreading the message that people with disabilities should enjoy the same rights and obligations as other citizens. It’s about advocating for the removal of barriers in access and participation of people with disabilities in the normal community life. It’s about making a difference to achieve social inclusion. It’s about celebrating abilities of people with disabilities. It’s a unique festival held in Europe. What a fantastic event – an event every country should hold at least once a year. I am so proud of Croatia and the city of Zagreb for keeping up with this very worthwhile festival.

This year, 2014, on Ban Jelacic Square in Zagreb, over the three days of the Festival, there are 900 performers from Croatia and abroad participating in the event and 600 of those are people with disabilities. Activities span from musical, drama, art and educational-recreational as well as sports areas.

Hope you enjoy these photographs from the Festival and, if you already have not: spread the word and actions in your community that affirm people with disabilities as equal members of the community. Ina Vukic, Prof. (Zgb); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)

Please click on photos to enlarge

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Croatia, disabilities, Equal Opportunities Festival, people with disabilities, rights of people with disabilities, social inclusion, Zagreb

28 responses to “Croatia: Festival Of Equal Opportunities For People With Disabilities”

jmsabbagh

May 28, 2014

Great insight article. Greetings.

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1. inavukic
  
  May 29, 2014
  
  Thanks, Jalal – working towards social inclusion for people with disabilities is something we all owe to society I think and human life
  
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  1. jmsabbagh
    
    May 29, 2014
    
    Very true ,God bless the society that helps it’s needy and helpless persons.Wishing you the best.JMS
    
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brankec

May 28, 2014

Great, positive article and a nice change of pace from all the political turmoil. We all know there will be plenty of that to go around in the coming days!

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1. inavukic
  
  May 29, 2014
  
  Yes, Brankec – I must admit I like the positive ones best but I like writing about negative issues because they exist and since they do exist it is necessary to write and correct the wrongs and move forward into positive.
  
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Kev

May 28, 2014

Wonderful! 😀

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1. inavukic
  
  May 29, 2014
  
  I LOVE IT – Kev 😀
  
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  1. Kev
    
    May 29, 2014
    
    Despite all that has gone on in Croatia…they can still blow you away with something like this…how encouraging is that? 😀
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    May 29, 2014
    
    Just great stuff, Kev, I agree 🙂
    
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  3. Kev
    
    May 30, 2014
    
    It presents a wave of hope for Croatia’s present and future happiness. 🙂
    
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  4. inavukic
    
    May 31, 2014
    
    🙂
    
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Sue Dreamwalker

May 28, 2014

This is a wonderful post.. showing just how versatile those with disabilities can be, and how they can contribute within the community .. Working with adults with learning disabilities I have had the pleasure in supporting them in various activities and its been my pleasure… 🙂

Lovely photos and post xxx Hugs Sue

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1. inavukic
  
  May 29, 2014
  
  Thanks Sue – I think there’s is just much everyone can do to make a real difference in social inclusion and providing opportunities for people with disabilities to express their skills and contribute more to society. Slowly it’s happening and, oh, what great happening
  
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  1. Sue Dreamwalker
    
    May 29, 2014
    
    Yes everyone looked to be having fun… Like you say Ina, its what is lacking, integration and inclusion.. We always take them out into the community to interact and live as normals as possible.. There are however even in this day and age many who are quick to judge a book by its cover… Its shameful how some people still react.. Thankfully they are now getting fewer and far between…
    
    Love and Hugs you way for this wonderful highlight of events for equal opportunities 🙂
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    May 29, 2014
    
    I agree, Sue, still those who need to come around but thankfully things are getting better and barriers removed on all levels.
    
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advocatemmmohan

May 29, 2014

Right cause – a step forward for equality – a beautiful welcome thing
with regards

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1. inavukic
  
  May 29, 2014
  
  Such a worthwhile cause, advocatemmmohan – thank you.
  
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Ruben Demirjian

May 30, 2014

Muy digno!

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1. inavukic
  
  May 30, 2014
  
  A very worthy cause indeed, Ruben – thank you 🙂
  
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jlpiallat

May 30, 2014

Bon article..

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1. inavukic
  
  May 31, 2014
  
  Thank you, jlpiallat 🙂
  
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Love Edges

May 30, 2014

This is an amazing writing! How wonderful what is being done! May we all follow the example!

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sf

June 3, 2014

An awesome festival for all ages! Thanks for sharing about it.

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1. inavukic
  
  June 4, 2014
  
  Thank you, sf 😀
  
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moorezart

June 10, 2014

This is a wonderful post and I especially love it because my two sons are autistic. Thanks for this great share. 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  June 10, 2014
  
  I have a special affinity for people with disabilities, moorezart, my day job is in the field and I work tirelessly in achieving community access and taking down the barriers in all walks of life for people with disabilities. It’s been my life – apart from writing and blogging on issues to do with Croatia and transitioning from communism into democracy. Cheers!
  
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  1. moorezart
    
    June 10, 2014
    
    I do so respect you. I know this path all too well. People with disabilities do not have the resources, in many cases, to even advocate for themselves and so help from you and others makes an incredible difference in the quality of their lives. I had to stand up and ‘fight’ for over 20 years for both my sons to receive what was needed. I did this as a single parent while working. It was a long haul but now I see two wonderful young men, who without me, would be God knows where. I put my art on hold for 25 years to do all this. Now I am able to see the fruit of this labor. I send you all my positive thoughts in your continued success!
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    June 10, 2014
    
    Thank you! The best part of my days is that I make a difference to someone’s life, however small 😀 This field of work is not glamorous but, oh boy, it’s so rewarding! Much progress has been made in stripping off stereotypical thinking in the community, but still lots to be done and I know what you mean when you say you needed to “fight”.
    
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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia. I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Croatia, the War, and the Future