Sweden has allocated 130,000 euros for a social integration project for young people with disabilities in the Vitebsk region

October 21, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The Swedish government has allocated 130 thousand euros for the implementation of the project "Social integration of children and youth with disabilities in the Vitebsk region". This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the project manager Ulf Bengtsson. As part of the Swedish delegation from the city of Halmstad, he is taking part in the educational conference "Education, Rehabilitation, Leisure - For Whom and Why?".

The project will be implemented from 2009 to 2012. Its goal is to improve the living conditions and quality of life for children and youth with psychophysical development peculiarities, and to promote their integration into society. Another important task is to break the negative stereotype in people's minds regarding people with disabilities.

In accordance with the project, it is planned to publish reference and methodological recommendations and manuals reflecting the best practices of Swedish specialists. Joint round tables and experience-sharing conferences will also be held, and in December of this year, a traineeship for 10 social service workers from the Vitebsk region will take place in Halmstad.

Ulf Bengtsson noted that this is the second project between the Vitebsk region and Halmstad aimed at improving the lives of people with disabilities and financed by the Swedish side. Cooperation, which began in 2005, has shown the relevance of this area of work for Belarus. During the implementation of the first project, improvements in the integration of people with developmental peculiarities became evident. Systematic work has emerged, the professionalism of employees has increased, and attitudes towards this category of people in society have improved. Forms of work with young people with disabilities have become more interesting and diverse.

The educational conference will be held on October 21-22 as part of the Belarusian-Swedish project. Representatives of interested services and organizations from Halmstad and the Vitebsk region are participating in the event. Over two days, specialists will discuss issues related to the social adaptation of children and youth with limited psycho-physical abilities, and share their developments in this area.-0-