Timeline | Shuchona Foundation

2022

Provided technical input as Member of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy of Bangladesh, received cabinet approval in 2022
Launched publication of Pracheer Periye, the Bangla translation of Dr. Stephen M. Shore, a self-advocate’s book during an online event organized by Shuchona Foundation in collaboration with Centre for Research and Information (CRI) titled ‘Pracheer Periye: Saima Wazed's Conversation with Stephen Shore on his Autobiography and Autism’ in April 2022.
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
Participated in high-level events such as 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Participated in Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) 2022 in Bali, Indonesia.
Co-organized side event titled “Rethinking Mental Health: A Commonwealth Call to Support, Care and Transform” at the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.

2021

Upload of the translated content of SDGAcademyX: ECD001 The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development in Bangla by Shuchona Foundation
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
IE manual completed, and reviewed by Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, January 2021
Announcement of the publication of "Pracheer Periye" (প্রাচীর পেরিয়ে), the Bangla translation of Dr. Stephen Shore’s book "Beyond the Wall"
SF as a member of the Technical Committee for WHO’s Special Initiative for Mental Health (2019-2030) in Bangladesh

2020

Completion of the ‘Strengthening the Capacity for Addressing Mental Health Conditions’ project
Completion of the project titled “A manual-based training project for building parents’/caregivers’ capacity to develop children’s social-communication and emotional skills from birth to five”
Developed and shared 9 self-help videos on well-being and mental health, helpful in all circumstances, but particularly created and disseminated with the pandemic in mind
Shuchona Foundation coordinated with NDD Protection Trust and donors, relief distribution to families of PwDs during the government closure in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Chairperson Saima Wazed became CVF’s Thematic Ambassador for Vulnerability

2019

Review Workshop on “Strategies for Effective Inclusion in Schools: Training Manual for Educators”, Dhaka
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific: Fifth Session of the Working Group on the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, Bangkok, Thailand
Achieved UN ECOSOC Consultative Status
Launching of Empowerment of Families, a joint initiative with Centro Ann Sullivan del Peru (CASP), supported by LFMEAB
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
Developed National Strategic Plan on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodevelopmental Disorders for Bhutan, working closely with the Ministry of Health of the Royal Government of Bhutan. The plan showcased how to identify specific actions and objectives that can be implemented systematically and incorporated as part of the national development plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan.
High-level Side-Event on Sustainable Universal Health Coverage: Comprehensive Primary care inclusive of mental health and disabilities at UNGA74
Formulation of National Mental Health Strategic Plan Working Group where SF is a member

2018

Participation in World Autism Awareness Day events in UN Headquarter (UNWAAD), New York
2nd International Conference on Disability & Disaster Risk Management, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Commencement of Foundation Course, developed and delivered by SF in 2018
Member of the ESCAP Working Group on Disability as of May 2018
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
Advocated to replace the 150-year-old Indian Lunacy Act 1912 with the Bangladesh Mental Health Act 2018
As a technical expert, Shuchona Foundation worked closely with the Royal Government of Bhutan, particularly the Ministry of Health, and started to develop a multi-sectorial collaborative National Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

2017

Book launch of “Unique Glimpses,” edited by Chairperson Saima Wazed
Developed first edition of “Social Communication and Emotional Skills Development” Manual
International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ANDD2017) Thimphu, Bhutan co-organized by WHO-SEARO, MoHFW, and MoH BT, with technical support provided by Shuchona Foundation
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
Assisted in the development of the WHO Collaborative Framework for Addressing ASD in the South-East Asia Region, presented at the International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ANDD2017), in Thimphu, Bhutan
Goodwill Ambassador for Autism for South East Asia Regional Office of WHO
SF developed and conducted a pre-departure comprehensive Preparatory Course for the 2017 KOICA Autism Fellowship Program
High-level Intergovernmental Meeting on the Midpoint Review of the Asian and Pacific Decade of Persons with Disabilities, 2013-2022, Beijing
Recipient of Ministry of Social Welfare’s award in recognition of SF’s work and achievements in the field of disabilities.
MoU signing with Bangladesh Public Administration Training Centre

2016

Shuchona Foundation, in collaboration with the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) at the University of Massachusetts, Boston and icddr,b’s Non-communicable Diseases Unit, developed the Situation Assessment of Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Bangladesh.
Shuchona Foundation, in collaboration with ICI of University of Massachusetts Boston, developed the National Strategic Plan for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 2016 – 2030, for the Government of Bangladesh, at the request of its National Steering Committee for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Initially developed for 5 years, the timeline for it has been extended till 2030 to align with the SDGs.
Dissemination Ceremony for “2016 Situation Assessment of Autism & NDDs in Bangladesh” and the “National Strategic Plan for NDDS 2016-2021”
A day-long event where Dr. Stephen Shore, a renowned self-advocate for autism, delivered a talk and had a discussion session with parents of persons with NDDs, students with NDDs, as well as select education experts, and Government representatives

2015

First Dhaka Conference on Disability & Disaster Risk Management
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
In collaboration with the Speaker of the House, SF conducted a 3-hour workshop on neurodevelopmental disorders for 100 Members of the Parliament
Chairperson Saima Wazed became WHO-SEARO’s Regional Champion for Autism

2014

WHO Resolution No. WHA67.8 “Comprehensive and Coordinated Efforts for the Management of ASD” adopted at the 67th World Health Assembly of WHO, May 2014
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
In November 2014, under its previous name, Foundation for Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Mental Health, organized a one-day workshop and a 2-hour side event during the annual WHO-SEAR meeting of member countries, on ASD
Chairperson Saima Wazed became the first recipient of Excellence in Public Health Award by WHO-SEARO
Shuchona Foundation formally registered with the Ministry of Social Welfare

2013

Contributed to the development of the Neurodevelopmental Disability Protection Trust Act 2013 in Bangladesh.
Advocated for changes to the Persons with Disability Rights & Protection Act 2013, to align Bangladesh’s policies with the goals of UNCRPD.
Member, Director General’s Expert Panel on Mental Health for the World Health Organization
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Developmental disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan

2012

WHO/SEARO Resolution No. SEA/RC65/R8 “Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of ASD and developmental disabilities” passed at the 5th Meeting of the Regional Committee of WHO-SEARO
UN Resolution No. 67/82 “Addressing the socio-economic needs of individuals, families, and societies affected by ASD, developmental disorders and associated disabilities” adopted at the 53rd Plenary meeting of the General Assembly, December 2012
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
WHO/SEARO Resolution No. SEA/RC65/R8 “Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of ASD and developmental disabilities” passed at the 5th Meeting of the Regional Committee of WHO-SEARO
UN Resolution No. 67/82 “Addressing the socio-economic needs of individuals, families, and societies affected by ASD, developmental disorders and associated disabilities” adopted at the 53rd Plenary meeting of the General Assembly, December 2012

2011

International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Developmental disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
International Conference on Autism and Neurodevelopmental Developmental disabilities in Bangladesh and South Asia
Press Conference at BSMMU on release of Strategic Plan
WHO/SEARO Resolution No. SEA/RC65/R8 “Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of ASD and developmental disabilities” passed at the 5th Meeting of the Regional Committee of WHO-SEARO
UN Resolution No. 67/82 “Addressing the socio-economic needs of individuals, families, and societies affected by ASD, developmental disorders and associated disabilities” adopted at the 53rd Plenary meeting of the General Assembly, December 2012