The Spouse of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Ms. Maja Ivanova, attended the 5th International Forum of the Shafalah center for children with disabilities, held in Doha in the period January 22-24. Main topic was “Crises, Conflicts and Disability: Ensuring Equality”, organized under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bin Nasser, Spouse of the Emir of the State of Qatar.

This International Forum is focused on the impact of natural disasters, conflicts and humanitarian crises on people with disabilities, and their marginalization in such ciscumstances.

Participants in the sessions devoted special attention to current global crises - refugee camps and conflict zones in the Middle East and Africa, and to the recent natural disasters in Japan, Haiti, Pakistan, analyzing their impact on persons with disabilities.

The event was attended by more than 300 dignitaries, first ladies and international organization representatives and prominent journalists from world-famous media. Besides Ms. Ivanova, among the first ladies who participated and gave greater importance to the Forum, were the spouses of the presidents of Sri Lanka, Poland, Namibia, Ghana, Finland, Cyprus, the Dutch Princes, the Prince of Jordan and many others.

After the official opening of the Forum, Ms. Maja Ivanova met with Her Highness Sheikha Moza bin Nasser. Both interlocutors discussed several topics of mutual interest. Ms. Ivanova informed Sheikha Moza bin Nasser for her activities in the Republic of Macedonia, referring specifically to the initiatives under her auspices, related to women and children, but above all the activities related to children with special needs.

During the lunch organized in honor of the dignitaries, hosted by Her Highness Sheikha Moza, Ms. Ivanova conveyed an invitation to her to visit the Republic of Macedonia in the summer and to attend the opening ceremony of the Ohrid Summer Festival.

Ms. Ivanova met with Ms. Anna Komorowska, spouse of the President of the Republic of Poland and exchanged information on their current activities. Given that the two first ladies pay special attention to children with special needs, they shared opinions and experiences that they could apply in their countries, and ideas for future joint initiatives.

Ms. Maja Ivanova met with Ms. Cherie Blair, spouse of the former British Prime Minister, and co-chair of one of the sessions of the Forum. Ms. Blair briefed Ms. Ivanova on her activities in the foundation that bears her name, discussing the possibilities for future cooperation.

At the dinner organized by Mr. Hassan Ali Bin Ali, Chairman of Shafalah center, Ms. Ivanova met Prince of Jordan, Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein, internationally recognized activist for the rights of the persons with disabilities. Ms. Ivanova and Prince of Jordan had the opportunity to exchange views and to get familiar with their activities in the fields they are most active and for which they share common interests. Prince of Jordan will be one of the key speakers at the plenary sessions.