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Saturday, February 7, 2026
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Community Event Promotes Inclusion, Equal Participation for Persons with Disabilities

This Week

More than 200 people gathered for an inclusive community event aimed at promoting participation, dignity, and equal opportunity for persons with disabilities, bringing together students, teachers, families, and community members for a morning of shared activities.

Hosted on a school campus by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, the event combined sports, arts, and creative workshops to translate discussions on disability inclusion into practical action, creating a space where people of all abilities could participate, express themselves, and feel valued.

The gathering followed a recent joint visit to disability organizations, where students and participating staff engaged directly with persons with disabilities to better understand the daily barriers they face and the importance of inclusive community support.

UNFPA and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities host inclusive celebrations in December. (Photo: UNFPA Laos)

The event made an immediate impact on attendees.

“I was extremely happy to join the young people today. For those of us living with a disability, being invited into this space makes me feel truly included and part of the wider community,” said Bounjop, an athlete from the Blind Football Federation Laos.

Kham-ngor Phongphana, a Paralympic swimmer, echoed this sentiment: “I am very happy to have been invited. I appreciate the thought and value of giving importance to people with disabilities in such a public way.”

Beyond sports, the gathering offered a unique platform for participants to share knowledge and skills through various handicraft activities.

“True inclusion begins when we create spaces where every individual is seen, heard and valued,” said Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, UNFPA Representative in Laos. “This shows what is possible when institutions, families, teachers and young people come together with commitment and kindness. These activities are not only celebrations; they help build a society where no one is left behind, where every person’s abilities are recognized, and where diversity enriches us all.”

The inclusive spirit of the event culminated in the closing ceremony for the 16 Days of Activism, which included a diversity and inclusion walk and a theater performance featuring nominated persons with disabilities.

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