- World Federation of the Deaf
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international
non-governmental organization that acts as apeak body for national associations of Deaf people, with a focus on Deaf people who use sign language and their family and friends. WFD aims to promote the rights of Deaf people worldwide, by working closely with theUnited Nations (with which it has consultative status) and various UN agencies such as theInternational Labour Organisation (ILO) and theWorld Health Organisation (WHO). WFD is also a member of theInternational Disability Alliance (IDA).The current 11 board members are all deaf. The offices are located in
Helsinki ,Finland .Aims and objectives
The WFD describe their priorities as:
* Improving the status of national sign languages
* Better education for Deaf people
* Improving access to information and services
* Improving human rights for Deaf people in developing countries
* Promoting the establishment of Deaf organisations where none currently existConstituency
The WFD claims to represent 70 million deaf people worldwide, of which more than 80 percent live in
developing countries . This is done mainly through membership of national deaf organisations, where such organisations exist.As of 2006 , 128 national associations are members. Associate members, international members and individual members also make up WFD’s membership base.History
The WFD was established in September
1951 inRome ,Italy , at the first World Deaf Congress, under the auspices of "Ente Nazionale Sordomuti" (ENS), the Italian Deaf Association. The first president of WFD was Professor Vittorio Ieralla, who was also, at that time, president of the ENS. The congress was attended by representatives from 25 countries.World Congress
The World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf has been held every four years since 1951. Organised by the WFD and the host country, this event is attended by thousands of Deaf people from all over the world. As well as convening the General Assembly (the highest decision-making body of the WFD) and forming the guidelines for the next four years of its work, the congress holds a large cultural program including theatre performances, cinema, exhibitions, performing arts, visits to local places of interest.
World Congresses have been held at:
*XI — July 1991 — 11th World Congress, Tokyo, Japan
*XII — 1995 — 12th World Congress, Vienna, Austria
*XIII — July 1999 — 13th World Congress, Brisbane, Australia
*XIV — July 2003 — 14th World Congress, Montreal, Canada
*XV — July 2007 — 15th World Congress, Madrid, SpainForthcoming:
*XVI — July 2011 — 16th World Congress, Durban, South AfricaExternal links
* http://www.wfdeaf.org/ — WFD homepage
* http://www.wfdcongress.org — Congress of the WFD homepage
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