100 Million People are affected of autism spectrum disorder.

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USA, 8th annual meeting of World Focus on Autism


On the occasion of 70th anniversary of the General Assembly of the United Nations and 8th annual meeting of World Focus on Autism , President of the Albanian Children Foundation, Dr.Liri Berisha, was the guest of honor of wife of the Secretary General of the UN, Ms. Ban Ki – moon and co-founders of “Autism Speak” Bob and Suzanne Wright.

In this meeting which gathered First Spouses and dignitaries from across North America, Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, was discussed how to increase more awareness about autism and improve services to people affected by this phenomenon.

The participating nations discussed the ongoing questions arising about autism and how all together must implement the 21st century goals. During the meeting, the Albanian Children Foundation was on the focus of each presentation through video footage of the activities developed over the years in Albania about this cause.

The Co-founder of “Autism Speaks” Suzanne Wright, during her speech said: – “Autism is already a dynamic issue. The community of people with autism continues to grow with frightening rates. And today the people of this community has reached to 100 million people suffering from autism spectrum disorder. What is necessary today is to be united and share the vision that we have and to turn each day as a World Focus on Autism”

The event provided first spouses and dignitaries with the rare opportunity to speak with one another about the state of autism in their home countries. At this 8th annual meeting, Autism Speaks presented the third annual Suzanne and Bob Wright Autism Achievement Award to Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at World Health Organization, Geneva.

To commemorate the third recipient of this award, Bob and Suzanne Wright, invited the wife of Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Mrs. Ban Soon-taek and Ms. Liri Berisha to be present at the prize giving and a concurrent picture. The second Suzanne and Bob Wright Autism Achievement Award was received last year by Dr. Liri Berisha.

A warm reception for Mr. Scaglione, the founder of the Foundation.

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On the occasion of the 20th anniversary, the Albanian Children Foundation organized a reception in honor and Appreciation of the founder of the foundation, Mr. Domenick Scaglione.

This reception was held to respect the contribution and the human values that the founder and architect of the Albanian Children Foundation, Mr. Domenick Scaglione, has dedicated the last 20 years in terms of health and well-being of Albanian children witnessing tremendous encouragement not only for their families but for the Albanian society as a whole.

In this event, attended by friends, collaborators, donors and parents, President of the Foundation, Dr. Liri Berisha, in her greeting dedicated to this figure expressed her deep gratitude, for the contribution and humanism of Mr. Scaglione.

” Dear Mr. Dominick, I feel glad and privileged to have the opportunity today to express my deepest gratitude and honor, that of staff and parents, but even that of many, many Albanians for what you started to do exactly in their most difficult moments of their existence. . A considerable number of children, sick and hopeless for life, are living today along their family love, thanks to your generosity and tender-heart. Others, unlucky, orphaned or abandoned without any support were educated and work today thanks to your humanism You, dear Dominick, devoted to the Albanian pain because you believed in God and knew that no one appreciates life more than one who has seen the misery and the poverty verge. Like a missionary, you were beside those little and suffered hearts without words, without ado, without exaggerations.. ”

Most touching moments were those of gratitude from people who have benefited from the contribution of the Foundation.

Kristi Myhedini, student, who graduated through a scholarship as a result of cooperation of the Foundation with non-public universities, thanked Mr. Scaglione for the possibility that the Foundation gave her and dozens of young people, giving as a sign of respect, a silver pen.

It was a very emotional moment for Pranvera Bega, Sarah’s mother, who treated the girl with autism at Autism Center No.2. She thanked Mr.Scaglione for the opportunities that the Foundation has provided for the development of the girl, giving a painting made by Sasra, to convey a part her deeply spiritual world and unique talent she possesses.

Amid tears and emotion, Mr. .Scalgione thanked Dr.  Liri Berisha for the reception and meeting of associates and friends of the Foundation. He said that thanks to the humanity we all do better and that the mission must go on and more powerful. He advised that nothing else does a person richer in life except that of giving and the weakest. If we share more attention for the poor and people in need, according to him, then not only you will we be at peace with yourself but will make the lives of others more beautiful.

The reception was addressed by Mr. Genc Boga, representatives of the board of the Foundation, Mrs. Eva Mane, business representatives, donors of the Foundation and Michael Granoff, director of the Albanian American Fund. They appreciated the important role of founder Scaglione in building and growing of the foundation praising his vision and personal contribution invested in all these years.