the president of North MacedoniaStevo Pendarovski walked 11-year-old Embla Ademi by the hand to primary school in the town of Gostivar last Monday. He, well, he found out that the little girl with Down syndrome He was bullied at his school.
Pendarovski spoke with Embla’s parents regarding the challenges she faces on a daily basis and discussed solutions.
“The president said that the behavior of those who endanger the rights of children is unacceptable, especially when it comes to children with atypical development,” his office said in a news release.
“They should not only enjoy the rights they deserve, but also feel equal and welcome at school desks and in the schoolyard. It is our obligation, as a State, but also as individuals, and the key element in this common mission is empathy. Helping children like Embla, but it will also help us learn from them how to sincerely rejoice, share and show solidarity.” added the president.
Inclusiveness as an aspiration should not remain just a declarative principle, but to use the potentials of people with atypical development. Prejudice should not be an obstacle to building an equal and just society for all. Empathy is our moral obligation. # Embla pic.twitter.com/SJEiMzMykU
– Stevo Pendarovski (@SPendarovski) February 7, 2022
In a video shared by Pendarovski’s office, the president is seen hanging out with Embla’s family and giving them gifts.
“We are all equal in this society. I came here to show my support and raise awareness that inclusion is a basic principle”, added Pendarovski in the press release.
He also stressed that there “a legal and moral obligation to provide an inclusive education, in which the main focus is the development of skills and abilities in children with different developmental processes”.
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