The President of North Macedonia walked a young girl with Down syndrome to her elementary school in an effort to raise awareness for the needs of disabled children and to make sure no one ever bullied her again.
President, Stevo Pendarovski, made the decision to meet 11-year-old, Embla Ademi, after hearing she was facing discrimination at school for having down syndrome.
The president also met with Ademi’s family in a show of support to discuss the day-to-day difficulties of life.
President Pendarovski spoke out against discrimination of disabled children, “They should not only enjoy the rights they deserve, but also feel equal and welcome in the school desks and schoolyard. It is our obligation, as a state, but also as individuals, and the key element in this common mission is empathy.”
The President’s words stress the importance of equality as both large-scale legal concern and an individual social responsibility.
“It will help children like Embla, but it will also help us learn from them how to sincerely rejoice, share and be in solidarity,” the president added.
The President finished his statement by saying: “We are all equal in this society. I came here to give my support and to raise awareness that inclusion is a basic principle.”
