On March 17, 2025, the 69th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Parallel Forum, titled "Empowering Women and Supporting Children with Autism – Art Exhibition and Charity Forum," was grandly held at the Delegate Dining Room at the UN Headquarters. As the 2nd World Autism Charity Forum, this event built upon the achievements of the first forum, further uniting global efforts to bring warmth and hope to the autism community.
The forum’s opening ceremony was solemn yet passionate. Keynote speeches were delivered by Ellen Zhao Qiong, President of the World Asian Women’s Alliance, and Li Lin, Chairperson of the Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation, among other organizers. They expressed their sincere gratitude for the support from various sectors and conveyed high hopes for the forum’s role in advancing women’s development and autism advocacy. Esteemed guests, including Ugoji A. Eze and Karen Newman, also spoke, offering an international perspective on the crucial role of women across social sectors and the urgent need to support children with autism.
One of the highlights of the event was the awards ceremony, where multiple honors were presented, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Women, the Special Contribution Award for the Asian American Community, and the Outstanding Contribution to International Charity Award. Distinguished figures such as Tu Youyou, Chen Lihua, and Sun Suifang were recognized for their remarkable contributions, serving as role models and inspiring others to engage in philanthropy and social development.
During the keynote speech session, renowned figures from literature, business, and media, including Gu Yuehua, Anla Cheng, and Xu Gehui, shared their extraordinary journeys. Xu Gehui, in recounting her years of philanthropic efforts, highlighted the "Star Project" by the Beijing Guangming Charity Foundation. This initiative has long been committed to aiding the autism community by raising funds for financial assistance, conducting professional rehabilitation training to enhance intervention capabilities, and organizing inclusive activities to foster social acceptance. These efforts have significantly improved the lives of children with autism and their families.
A major highlight of the forum was the Autism Charity Forum. David W. Berger, co-founder of Hand-in-Hand Equestrian Center, delivered a keynote speech sharing his experiences in animal-assisted therapy. He explained how the center provides children with autism the opportunity to interact closely with horses, using equestrian activities to improve physical coordination and social skills. Many children have gradually opened up through these interactions, eventually initiating communication with others. This innovative therapy offers new hope for autism rehabilitation.
Allison Graney Brown, Executive Director of the NYU Nest Support Project, shared the program’s innovative model and achievements. She noted that through years of practice, the Nest Support Project has developed a personalized education system for children with autism, now implemented in New York City and Denmark. The project focuses on cultivating life skills and social adaptability, providing a supportive learning environment through professional teaching teams and comprehensive curricula to help children with autism integrate better into society.
The "Walking with Masters: Art & Hope" Exhibition served as a touching tribute to children with autism, featuring works by children with autism, their parents, and internationally renowned artists. Award-winning artists, including Ding Ruxu and Miyuki Komuro, shared the inspiring stories behind their artwork, illustrating the healing power of artfor children with autism. The exhibition not only conveyed care for the autism community but also strengthened the role of art in addressing social issues, effectively promoting policies to protect the rights of children with autism and their families.
The World Asian Women’s Alliance played a key organizational role in this event. As an international nonprofit organization, the alliance is dedicated to empowering Asian women, fostering cultural exchanges, and advancing philanthropic initiatives, providing solid support for the success of this forum.
This parallel forum, as the 2nd World Autism Charity Forum, established an important global platform to discuss women’s empowerment and autism advocacy. Through a well-structured agenda, the event facilitated experience sharing, resource integration, and collaborative advancements, injecting new momentum into women’s development and autism rights advocacy. The forum left a positive and far-reaching impact on the international community, and moving forward, all parties will continue working together to create a brighter future for the autism community.