ANC Caucus Statement On SA\'s Hosting of the 16th WFD World Congress
19 July 2007
The ANC Parliamentary Caucus congratulates South African for its selection to host the 16th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and its General Assembly in Durban in 2011.
The decision was made during the 15th congress of the world deaf movement, currently underway in Spain, Madrid (16-22 July).
South Africa is represented at the congress by the Deaf Federation of South Africa, whose leading members include an ANC Member of Parliament and deaf rights activist, Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen.
Organised under the theme �Human Rights Through Sign Languages�, the current congress discussion are centred on issues pertaining to sign languages, women, mental health, education, technology and accessibility, and developing countries.
The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international non-governmental organisation comprising national associations of the Deaf people. It watches over the interests of more than 74 million Deaf people worldwide -more than 80% of them live in developing countries.
The WFD has a membership of 127 national associations from the five continents and it is also represented in the United Nations� structures such as Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the United Nations Educational, World Health Organisation and the International Labour Organisation.
Issued by the ANC Parliamentary Caucus
Contact:
Mpho Lekgoro, MP (Caucus Spokesperson)
082 413 4908
