Join the World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 (WCR 2024) for groundbreaking insights and networking opportunities in the field of rehabilitation. Discover the latest advancements and collaborate with global experts at this premier international rehabilitation conference.
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Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO), the World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 will take place in Abu Dhabi from 23-25 September 2024 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC). Marking the first time the event will be held in the Middle East, the congress will be held under the theme “Work and Employment”.
The World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 (WCR 2024) will be held in UAE, Abu Dhabi, from September 23 to 25, 2024, marking a significant occasion as it takes place for the first time in the Middle East region.
WCR 2024 aims to address global challenges faced by people of determination focusing on overcoming barriers that hinder their integration into the labor market and ensuring equality. The congress aims to tackle issues related to their marginalization, deprivation of workplace rights, and the imperative need to provide training and development programs. These initiatives are designed to equip them with the necessary skills, fostering their entry into the labor market and enhancing career advancement opportunities, both in the public and private sectors.
A momentous step towards achieving these goals, a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding has been established between the Rehabilitation International organization (RI), the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO). This collaborative effort is geared towards organizing the World Congress on Rehabilitation 2024 in Abu Dhabi, demonstrating a commitment to advancing the cause of rehabilitation on a global scale.
H.E. Abdulla Abdulalee AlHumaidan is a highly influential advocate and leader in the United Arab Emirates, known for his unwavering commitment to promoting inclusivity and empowerment. With a remarkable educational background and vast professional experience, he has become a driving force in championing the rights and well-being of individuals with determination.
Regarded as China’s Helen Keller for her outspokenness on disability rights, Zhang Haidi is the chairperson of the China Disabled Persons Federation and the President of Rehabilitation International. Born in Jinan, Shandong Province, Zhang became a paraplegic at age five due to complications from polio. Unable to attend school, she educated herself to university level, learning several foreign languages including English, Japanese, German and Esperanto. Zhang started writing and translating in the 1980s, authoring her life story Beautiful English in both Chinese and English. as well as the novel, A Dream in Wheelchair. Zhang holds a Master in Philosophy from Jilin University.
Christoph Gutenbrunner is professor emeritus at Hannover Medical School and former head of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine. Besides his clinical work he is very active in academic teaching and research. His main scientific fields are clinical rehabilitation research, intervention mechanism as well as rehabilitation theories, services and systems. He has published around 420 scientific papers, 225 of them listed in PubMed.
Dr. Azman, the 17th President of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), took office for the term 2023–2025 upon the ISSA Elections during the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2022 in Marrakech. Morocco. As a social security practitioner, he aspires to ensure to make this world a better place where no one is left behind.
Dr. Adil is a UAE-national family medicine consultant physician who works at Mediclinic Parkview hospital in Dubai. He has given over 300 lectures and webinars in 3 years to different government and private sectors in the UAE. Additionally, the doctor hosts and presents the largest Arabic health show on social media program in the UAE on UAEBARQ with over 2.5 million followers. The doctor is a regular guest on national and international TV and radio shows and has won multiple awards for their work, including the Bahrain Award for Voluntary Work and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work. Graduated from the UAE Government Executive Leadership Program from the Prime Minister’s Office, the doctor holds a postgraduate master’s level certification in SQIL. Completed medical school at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the doctor holds a postgraduate board certification in Family Medicine. The doctor also holds an Executive Master’s in Healthcare Management and a postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Innovation from the University of Cambridge. Additionally, serving as an Advisory and Decision Committee Member at Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund.
Dr. Annette Tabbara LL.M. is Director-General at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. She studied law in Hamburg, Halifax and Augsburg. Dr. Tabbara earned a Master of Laws in Canada and did a doctorate in constitutional media law. She passed her second German state examination at the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court Hamburg.
Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani OBE is President & Founder of the Arab International Women’s Forum, and is recognised in Arab and international government, private sector and NGO circles as a high-impact change agent focussed on women’s leadership and youth empowerment, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, food and water security, education and the Future of Work, working for progress, inclusion, peace, and prosperity in the Arab region and internationally.
Ms. Lampinen has been involved with developing education, employment and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities for over 20 years. She has published and studied areas of supported employment, employment policies of people with disabilities including vocational rehabilitation services and special education and inclusion in education. Though her work has mainly been within Finland, she has over 20 years of expertise in international networking in for example European Supported Employment and Rehabilitation International where she currently holds a position as the chair of Policy and Services commission. Ms. Lampinen currently works as a Development Manger at Laurea University of Applied Sciences in Finland in social services and rehabilitation degrees.
Dr. Ramadan AlBlooshi, a determined advocate for excellence, recently assumed the role of Senior Advisor to the Director General at the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). His extensive background includes serving as Chief Regulatory Officer at Dubai Healthcare City Authority and leading the Health Regulation Department at DHA. With a focus on clinical governance, he has shaped healthcare standards across Dubai. Dr. AlBlooshi’s expertise spans regulatory affairs, clinical practice, and strategic leadership. Academically, he holds an MBA from Zayed University and a Science degree in gastroenterology from Queen Mary University. A participant in leadership development programs, he exemplifies dedication to advancing healthcare and inspiring future leaders.
The term “People of Determination” is commonly used in the UAE to refer to individuals with disabilities. Coined by the UAE leadership, this term reflects a positive and inclusive approach, highlighting the strength, resilience, and abilities of individuals facing various challenges.
The initiative to use this term in the UAE was spearheaded by the UAE leadership, particularly by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai. The UAE government aims to promote inclusivity, dignity, and equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities through this terminology.
The use of “People of Determination” aligns with the UAE’s commitment to creating a society that values and supports the full participation of individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and community engagement. The term reflects a broader societal shift towards recognizing and appreciating the capabilities and potential of all individuals, regardless of their abilities or challenges.