As the executive director of IES, Halyna Bokhonko pointed out, the certified program “Medical, Psychological and Social Supervision of Persons with Special Needs” is very unique.
A similar program is only in France. Other countries have programs for assistants of L’Arche, but this program is unique due to its openness for all those interested.
The quest of honor was Michelle Dormal, the director of the program for assistants of the French section of the International Foundation “L’Arche,” a coordinator and supervisor of the certificate program “Medical, Psychological and Social Supervision of Persons with Special Needs” in Ukraine from IF “L’Arche.”
“I believe that we together will build a new world in which all of us will look alike and we will break the wall of misunderstanding between those who are disabled and those who are not,” expressed her hope Michelle Dormal.
Iryna Rohovska, the vice-director of IES, wished on the graduates: “Don’t lose your faith in yourself, in your strength and your faith in capacities of those whom you supervise. Remember about kindness that will change your environment. And remember that in human relationships, a friendly gesture, a smile and a look often matter more than a word.”
Yulya Boyko spoke on behalf of students. She pointed out that each student benefited more than he or she expected.
Besides, the graduates handed red eyeglasses on next students as “a symbol of kindness and wisdom in human relationships.”
A film about academic and students’ life at the certificate program of the Institute of Ecumenical Studies was shown during the event.
The ceremony was finished by the graduates who showed a pantomime dedicated to openness, transformation and learning.
Note:
It should be noted that this is the second class of graduates of the certified program “Medical, Psychological and Social Supervision of Persons with Special Needs.”
The program was established in 2010 by the Institute of Ecumenical Studies in cooperation with the International Federation “L’Arche” and the Lviv Polytechnics National University.
The program’s objective is to prepare specialists who will supervise persons with special needs in the light of a new vision of a person.