The White Palace turns blue in honor of The International autism day
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine hosted a reception together with the United Nations in Serbia, The Parents’ association of children with autism in Serbia and the support of the Autism Speaks Foundation from New York in honor of The International autism day at The White Palace in Belgrade this evening.
The event was graced by the presence of: Professor Oliver Antic Special legal Counselor to H.E. President of Serbia Mr. Tomislav Nikolic, Mr. William Infante UN Resident coordinator in Serbia, Mrs. Stana Bozovic Secretary of State in the Ministry of labor, Mrs. Vesna Petrovic President of Association for helping children with autism of Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Michael Kirby Ambassador of USA, H.E. Archbishop Orlando Antonini Holy See Apostolic Nuncio, H.E. Mrs Helena Studdert Ambassador of Australia, H.E. Mr. Toko Diakenga Serao Ambassador of Angola, H.E. Mr. Zaw Tun Ambassador of Myanmar, distinguished representatives of the Embassies of Azerbaijan, India, Morocco, Portugal, Philippines, Congo, Sri Lanka, Slovakia, Austria, Libya and other distinguished representatives of diplomatic corps and International community in Serbia.
The White Palace was lightened blue in honor of this special day since blue is the internationally recognized color of the Autism awareness. Filmed address of Mrs. Ban Soon-Taek wife of the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who is actively supporting the efforts of The Autism Speaks Foundation from New York was also shown on the occasion of the International Autism day. Mrs. Ban Soon Taek has visited Centers for children with autism during her visit to Serbia last year with Her Royal Highness Princess Katherine and Mrs. Natasa Jeremic wife of H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremic President of the UN General Assembly. A selling bazaar with beautiful drawings of children with autism was exhibited and has achieved much success.
Children with autism also overwhelmed all gathered with beautiful dancing and singing.
Mrs. Rebecca Pattinson’s charity race of across the Atacama Desert dedicated to children with autism in Serbia under the auspices of HRH Crown Princess Katherine Lifeline UK Humanitarian organization was mentioned as a successful example of raising awareness for autism. Mrs. Pattinson achieved great success finishing first at the race and reaching the charity goal of raising the £10000(GBP) for children in Serbia affected by autism.
Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine shared their experiences of the humanitarian work for the advancement of patient treatment in Serbia and special influence of sensory rooms that they have been donating over the years to schools and educational centers for children with special needs that are helping them to learn and develop.
Her Royal Highness pointed out: “It is my great pleasure that we have gathered here today in honor of the International day of Autism awareness. I wish to thank Mrs. Ban Soon Taek, Mrs. Rebecca Pattinson, Mr. William Infante, Mrs. Stana Božović, Mrs. Vesna Petrovic as well as Organization Femme d’Europe, Autism speaks organization from USA and Intracom company that have supported our efforts in helping children with autism in Serbia.”
His Royal Highness emphasized: ”We have gathered here tonight to promote a Housing project Autism Serbia in order to help people with autism inclusion in the society and improvement of their life conditions. I am very glad that The White Palace a cultural and historic monument is lightened blue this evening as a part of this important campaign in raising awareness for autism. I am certain that with help our friends in Serbia and abroad we can do a lot.”
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which, due to lack of understanding or proper diagnosis isolates children from world around them.
“Intracom Telecom doo, Belgrade, is strongly committed to the values of corporate social responsibility and proud to contribute to the humanitarian activities of HRH Princes Katherine Foundation as a sponsor of the event”. The Intracom Telecom group is an active ‘corporate citizen’, supporting an extensive set of social responsibility practices and initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of both its own community of employees and society as a whole.
Socially responsible companies JAT Airways, Mercedes Benz, Coca Cola Hellenic, and EKO YU are strategic partners of The Royal Family and the HRH Crown Princess Katherine Humanitarian Foundation and HRH Crown Prince Alexander II Foundation for Culture and Education. Their help and work are great examples of joint effort attributing to Serbia’s prosperity.