Anthony Kennedy Shriver to Travel to Middle East to Launch Best Buddies International Program at Shafallah Center in Qatar

    NEW YORK, April 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anthony Kennedy Shriver,
 founder and chairman of Best Buddies International and brother of
 California First Lady Maria Shriver, will be traveling to Doha, Qatar next
 week to announce the expansion of Best Buddies International's presence in
 the Middle East with the opening of a new accredited program in
 collaboration with the innovative Shafallah Center for Children with
 Special Needs, a nonprofit charitable organization.
     Shriver will be one of the distinguished guests of Her Highness Sheikha
 Mozah bint Nasser al Missned on Monday, April 23 at the Shafallah Center,
 where a luncheon will be held as part of the Second Annual International
 Forum on Children with Special Needs. Anthony Kennedy Shriver will deliver
 a keynote speech at the luncheon about the shared vision to educate and
 mentor children with intellectual disabilities, while also spotlighting
 Qatar as a sophisticated, beautiful destination for visitors and business.
     "I am energized by the enthusiasm and innovation I witness throughout
 Qatar," states Anthony Kennedy Shriver. "In particular, the Shafallah
 Center is a testament to Her Highness Sheikha Mozah's unparalleled
 dedication to serving those individuals who history most often has
 disregarded, children with intellectual disabilities. Her Highness'
 complete belief in the mission of Best Buddies further distinguishes Qatar,
 not only as a wondrous destination, but a place that is most special for
 enabling inclusion and integration through the unique power of friendship.
     The Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs was established by
 the effort and under the authority of the chairperson of the Supreme
 Council of Family Affairs, HH Sheikha Mozah, who believes in the vitality
 and importance of the family and the child's role in society, particularly
 those children with special needs. The Center provides comprehensive
 services and care to individuals with developmental learning challenges,
 their families and the community, and has been designed and constructed in
 accordance with the highest standards and latest developments in the field.
 The Center also aims at providing all the children with the optimal support
 services to enable them to adapt to the surrounding environment in order to
 live among others in the community. For information, visit
 http://www.shafallah.org.qa/home.htm.
     Best Buddies International is a global nonprofit founded in 1989 by
 Anthony Kennedy Shriver to enhance the lives of persons with intellectual
 disabilities by offering opportunities for one-to-one friendships and
 integrated employment. Best Buddies, which annually impacts more than
 300,000 individuals, operates more than 1,300 affiliates in all 50 States
 and in 30 countries on six continents. For more information, please visit
 http://www.bestbuddies.org.
     NOTE TO EDITORS: There will be photo and interview opportunities with
 Anthony Kennedy Shriver for the media. Please call in advance to inquire
 about details.
     Contacts:
     Mary Kaye Daniels (NY)
     212-901-3938 / 310-435-1620 cell
     marykaye.daniels@bwr-ny.com
 
     Kristen Chin (LA)
     310-550-7776
     kchin@bwr-la.com
 
 

SOURCE Best Buddies International