OVER A HALF OF MILLION OF BOSNIAN CITIZENS ARE SOCIALLY EXCLUDED

SARAJEVO, Bosnia (September 29,2007) – Over a half a million of Bosnian citizens are socially excluded in some way. Disabled persons are at the top of the list. This has been emphasized in Sarajevo at a session discussion the topic “Social Inclusion”.

The data has been collected through a survey, which should help define the issue of social inclusion in Bosnia. That is a very important document in the process of the European integrations.

The social inclusion strategy should be adopted by the following year. After the strategy is adopted, signing of the memorandum on social inclusion will follow.

The session was organized as a part of the project entitled “support to the Development of Policies in the field of Disability in Bosnia”.

Purpose of the session was to offer experience and knowledge in the field of social inclusion to the people who are employed at the organizations dealing with the disabled persons or are engaged at the government institutions at the positions which deal with the disabled persons.

Disabled persons, who also participate at the session, are completely excluded from the social life. They face many problems in education, healthcare protection and other issues.

They are of the opinion that the Bosnian state should solve soon the disabled persons’ issues.