United Nations marked the fourth World Autism Awareness Day via several events led by the Israeli delegation in cooperation with ALUT, the Israeli Society for Autistic Children.


Photo: Mrs. Einat Kassuto Sheffi ALUT CEO, Prof.Israel Borovich ALUT Chairman, Mrs.Rachel Rosenman Director of Resources

Every year, on April 2, the UN observes World Autism Awareness Day by organizing events and activities worldwide aimed at raising awareness. The Israeli delegation, the United Nations Department of Public Information, and ALUT hosted a gala event on April 1 devoted to the issue of autism.


Photo: ALUT at the United Nations in New York

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Prof. Gabriela Shalev attended the event. At the event, ALUT Chairman Prof. Israel Borovich spoke about the important work being done by ALUT. He invited delegates and organizations from around the world to join forces and aid ALUT with knowledge and experience.


Photo: Prof. Gabriela Shalev Israeli Ambassador to the UN and Prof. Borovich

The evening included a special screening of "Flood", a new Israeli film which focuses on the challenges faced by a family with an autistic son after his group home was shut down. The viewers were touched by the film and gave it many compliments.

Amir Weissbrod, a senior political adviser to Israel's UN delegation and father to a 14-year-old boy with autistism, hosted the event and shared some family experiences. Weissbrod, who organized the event, said that "Israel is doing much in this context although there are still many challenges in how to integrate autistic people in the work cycle and enable them to live a full good life as possible".

The event ended with a reception and kosher for Passover refreshments for participants, some of who tasted matzo for the first time.

Juan Carlos Brandt, the Chief of Advocacy and Special Events at the United Nations Department of Public Information, invited ALUT and Israel to be a senior partner in organizing the Autism awareness day next year.