World Autism Organisation Congress opens in Namibia with a call to put Autistic people at the centre

The 6th World Autism Organisation Congress is under way in Windhoek, the first time Namibia has hosted it. The theme is “Transforming the Narrative about Autism”.

The Namibian has published the keynote address given at the official opening on 4 November by Namibia’s Vice President, Lucia Witbooi, whose office coordinates disability affairs in the country.

What was said

In her address, the Vice President called for inclusive education, accessible healthcare, specialised support services and fair access to employment. “Most importantly,” she said, “autistic persons must be at the centre of decisions affecting their lives.”

“Autism must never diminish an individual’s worth, dignity or potential,” she said. She also said that changing the narrative “requires far more than words”, calling for policy, investment and measurable action that continue after the Congress ends.

Why it matters

It is good to hear a national leader say that Autistic people belong at the centre of decisions about them. That principle, “nothing about us without us”, is still too often missing in practice, in the UK as much as anywhere.

The real test of a congress like this is what changes afterwards, and whether Autistic people themselves, not only professionals and officials, are shaping it. We’ll watch for what comes next.

This piece summarises the keynote address published by The Namibian. Read the original for the full speech.