Media Event Raising Voices for Inclusive Education

The June 7 inclusive education media event organized by Together for Family Development Network was a great success from the perspective of member involvement, attendance, and media coverage.

Attendees included parliamentarian Mr. Abdel Rahman Kheir, vice president of the Human Resources Committee of the Egyptian Shura Council; reporters representing 11 newspapers; professionals from Sawiris "O" satellite television, concerned persons from multiple NGOs, disabled children and their families, a choir of disabled children as well as TFD Network representatives- approximately 100 altogether. 

The media carried extensive coverage- 14 articles- many lengthy- in 8 different papers and magazines. In addition, one TV show was aired.

Following the event, TFD representatives visited the offices of undersecretaries of the Ministry of Education and parliamentarians serving on the Education Committees to confirm their names and distribute informative materials. TFD plans to schedule meetings with these individuals when Parliament resumes in November.

Fall Projects to Support Inclusive Education

In an effort to inform local citizens and school teachers and administrators of the rights of children with disability to inclusive education, TFD will implement a series of community awareness-raising and models of inclusion projects.  Dr. Nabil Sisostres, Network Coordinator, managed the process of sending out the Requests for Proposals (RFPs), organizing a very well received proposal-writing workshop, reviewing and negotiating the proposals submitted, developing contracts, and releasing funds. Implementation will take place between September and February.  Timing of events conducted by participating organizations is being coordinated to ensure maximum impact. Dr. Nabil will give special attention to ongoing media and website coverage of the projects. He is optimistic they will have a positive effect at the community level, in the experience of the network members, and at the level of parliamentarians.

Companionship Facilitator in the US

Nancy Collins, TFD Network Companionship Facilitator, spent four weeks during June-July with partner churches in the Presbytery of Des Moines. She met the JH Des Moines Coordinating Team and spoke in a number of Presbytery churches about life in Egypt and the work of TFD Network. 

During Nancy's visit, Rev. Alexa Smith, Associate for Joining Hands Presbytery and Congregational Support, led a session with the JH Des Moines Coordinating Team to brainstorm ways of deepening partnership with Egypt. Alexa indicated many presbyteries need help creating a clear message about JH and help in communicating that message to others in their presbyteries. Ultimately, they want to create stronger "buy-in," encourage more congregational members to participate, and increase the number of participating churches. By the end of the session, participants came up with a list of potential activities and strategies to pursue.

Stay tuned!

Look up TFD's 2006 Annual Report on our updated English and Arabic website: www.tfdnetwork.org