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MESSAGE

The 16th World Congress of Rehabilitation International in Tokyo as the most outstanding event at the beginning of the second half of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons offered all participants a unique opportunity to review the events and achievements of the past years in the field of rehabilitation but also to discuss ways of overcoming the problems still not solved.In accordance with the general theme "Realistic Approaches-Looking Ahead Towards Comprehensive Rehabilitation",the Congress was the opportunity for the participants to reformulate policies and aims for the years to come,basing themselves on a realistic evaluation of the existing possibilities,so as to achieve their joint aim of giving all members of society equal opportunities.

Our deepest appreciation and most cordial thanks are due to the President of the World Congress,Mr.Hirokuni Dazai,to the members of the Japanese National Organizing Committee who with their organizational skills and commitment made this Congress a resounding success and to the Government of Japan which provided all essential support.

The Congress offered an extensive and varied program comprising plenary sessions where fundamental questions and central themes were discussed,sectoral sessions and workshops dealing with more specific problems ranging from comprehensive services for severely multiply handicapped people to new trends in biomedical technology. A film festival,interesting facility visits and exhibitions completed the program of the Congress.

Almost 400 papers and posters were presented at the Congress.But even more important,I believe,was that the World Congress succeeded in bringing people from all over the world together above all national,political,radical or religious barriers to jointly consider the solution of problems of disabled persons.

The World Congress was also the opportunity to show the world how disabled and able-bodied persons - scientists,politicians,rehabilitation professionals and all those persons who put their knowledge and enthusiasm into their work for disabled persons - worked at jointly solving problems.

The Proceedings of the World Congress contain a wide range of ideas,models and case studies from practical experience.They give a true picture of the work accomplished during the Congress and provide us a good basis for our future activities.

Let us therefore make a joint effort to translate all those ideas and concepts into reality in our lives,so that disabled persons may live their full lives among us in independence and dignity.

Dkfm.Otto Geiecker
Past President,Rehabilitation International