Mental health
Conference on children and young people with intellectual disabilities
Ms Jakab and Mr Attila Cseke , Minister of Health of Romania, at the conference for children and young people with intellectual disabilities (Photo: WHO)
Bucharest, Romania
26-27 November 2010
Young children with intellectual disabilities are an extremely vulnerable group often subjected to discrimination and neglect. There is consensus that health is a key determinant of their development and social inclusion, and that good quality health care is a means of reducing health inequalities, promoting good health and well-being and ensuring a successful transition to adulthood.
WHO supports the inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities through the initiative Better health better lives: children and young people with intellectual disabilities and their families. This initiative aims to ensure that all children and young people with intellectual disabilities are fully participating members of society, living with their families, integrated in the community and receiving health care and support proportional to their needs. The initiative was launched at the Conference in Bucharest, Romania 26 – 27 November 2010, in partnership with UNICEF and resulted in the declaration that covered 4 key objectives:
- promoting and supporting good physical and mental health and well-being;
- eliminating health and other inequalities and preventing other forms of discrimination, neglect and abuse;
- providing support that prevents family separation and allow parents to care for and protect children and young people with intellectual disabilities;
- supporting children and young people in the development of their potential and the successful transitions through life.
Examples of good practice
The Conference also showcased examples of good practice from across the European region, particularly in the areas of de-institutionalization, development of family support services, delivery of health promotion programmes and specialist support services. The roles of governance, workforce development and quality assurance were addressed.
Achieving long-term objectives
To achieve the long-term objectives of this initiative, the Conference provided a forum for planning follow-up activities and establishing partnerships to work together towards implementing the declaration at Regional, national and local levels.
WHO thanks Shirley Foundation for its generous support to this Conference.
The Resolution on the WHO European Declaration and Action Plan on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families was adopted at the sixty-first session of the Regional Committee for Europe. Please see the Resolution under "See also" to the right.
See also
- EUR/RC61/R5 WHO European Declaration and Action Plan on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families
Resolution, Regional Committee for Europe - European Declaration on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and their Families
Bucharest, 2010 - European Declaration on the Health of Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities (Easy Read version)
- WHO European Conference: Better Health, Better Lives: Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families
Speech by Ms Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe - Priority papers
- Scope and Purpose
- Programme
- Background paper
- Video story: Life in the institution
Senada Halilčević talks about leaving the institution - Children’s right to family life
The best place for children - including those with intellectual disabilities - is in the community. The experiences of three children explain why life at home is so important. - Partners in mental health
People with intellectual disabilities (self-advocates) took an active role in the WHO/Europe conference on “better health, better lives”, and endorsed the new WHO declaration on mental health.