Destination: Athens
Tilahun Jemaneh Soreta from Ethiopia trains in Powerlifting. Ethiopia is one of the nations taking part in the Special Initiative
Photo: Pieter Zeegers
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In early 2004, the Dutch National Committee on Development and Co-operation awarded the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Dutch National Paralympic Committee (NebasNsg) and Recreational Sports Development and Stimulation Organisation (RESPO DS-DI) more than EUR 500,000 to implement the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games Special Initiative. The goal of the Special Initiative is to further develop sustainable opportunities, advocacy and quality of life for people with a disability in developing nations through a human rights-based approach. The project will also promote the growth of National Paralympic Committees (NPCs) and the participation of Paralympic athletes in developing nations through educational seminars, learning through experience, sports training and competition. The nations participating in this project include Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. 
The Special Initiative Steering Committee from left to right: Fred Jansen, Amy Farkas, Henk Mannen, Erik de Winter, Truus Brouwer, John Teunissen and Jaap Brouwer. Wim Ludeke was not present
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The official sports participating in the Special Initiative based on interest, feasibility and sustainability are Athletics and Powerlifting. With a very short time frame for implementation, the three cooperating organizations had to identify partners in the field. The DIR Foundation is a Dutch based non-governmental organizations responsible for co-ordinating the seminars to be held in Ethiopia. Aart Kruimer and Frank van Deursen, two professional researchers, will assist in developing and conducting the monitoring and evaluation of the project. Three experts from the Netherlands, Jan Bockweg, Teun Tol and Hans Vorsteveld have volunteered their time to develop the Athletics Knowledge Seminar curriculum and conduct the seminars for more than five weeks this coming spring. Without these partnerships, the dedication of numerous volunteers, and the commitment by the NPCs to further develop the athletes, coaches and administrators in their respective nations, the implementation of this project would not be possible. In 2003, the Dutch Minister of Development and Co-operation recognized the impact sport has on the lives of persons with a disability and subsequently allocated EUR one million to the development of Paralympic sports in developing nations. The focus on the Paralympic Movement is a huge step forward in the terms of government co-operation. |
