Events in 2012
Launch of Official UN "Autism Awareness" Stamps
The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) will issues stamps and first day covers on 2 April 2012 in recognition of World Autism Day. The stamps 
, and the eight artists who designed them, will together raise awareness about this important global cause. The final selection of the artwork was the result of a worldwide search for talented artists with autism who were eager to share their designs with the UNPA.
The stamps will be launched at the United Nations Post Offices in New York, Geneva and Vienna.
Book signing by Margret D. Ericsdottir, co-author of "The Golden Hat: Talking Back To Autism"
Award winning actress Kate Winslet's message on the launch of her new book
Kate Winslet’s new book, " The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism" will be sold during the "Meet the Author" series on World Autism Awareness Day. This book features never seen before self-portraits of 100 A-list celebrities all wearing a magical, "Golden Hat." The book celebrates self-expression, from the unique self-portraits and quotes of celebrities, to the writing of Keli, a 14-year-old boy with nonverbal autism.
Cover of Kate Winslet's new book
"The Golden Hat: Talking Back
to Autism"
Autographed books by Kate Winslet will be available for sale on a first-come / first-serve basis.
After a video presentation featuring Kate Winslet, co-author Margret D. Ericsdottir will introduce the book and Ms. Winslet’s charity, the Golden Hat Foundation.
A brief Q&A session will follow the book-signing by co-authors Margret D. Ericsdottir and her son, Keli Thorsteinsson.
The book signing is presented by the UN Department of Public Information, the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations and the Golden Hat Foundation.
On 2 April 2012 in the United Nations Bookshop, on the Concourse Level of the General Assembly Building, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm. No RSVP required.
Press Briefing "The Forgotten Half of Autism"
This press briefing will focus on the "the forgotten half of autism", those without functional communication.
Three researchers in the field will speak:
- Dr. Margret Bauman of Harvard University Medical School,
- Prof. April Benasich, Director of the Infancy Studies Laboratory, at Rutgers University and
- Prof. John F. Connolly, Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience of Language at McMaster University.
The press briefing is presented by the UN Department of Public Information, the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations, and the Golden Hat Foundation.
On 2 April 2012 in the Dag Hammarskjold Library Auditorium, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm. The event is for members of the press only.
Film Screening "A Mother’s Courage: Talking Back to Autism"
Award winning actress Kate Winslet's introduction to the film screening
The event will be opened with a special introduction by Mrs. Dorrit Moussaieff, First Lady of Iceland.
Poster of the film "A Mother's
Courage: Talking Back to Autism"
Margret, whose ten-year-old son Keli has severe nonverbal autism, travels from her home in Iceland to Europe and the United States, meeting with top autism experts and advocates to explore innovative new therapies for non-verbal autism. Margret finds hope that her son may soon be able to express himself on a level she never thought possible.
A Q&A session with Margret Ericsdottir, the film’s producer and mother of Keli will follow the screening.
Light refreshments will be provided.
The film screening is presented by the UN Department of Public Information, the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the United Nations, and the Golden Hat Foundation.
On 2 April 2012 in the Express Bar, on the 3rd floor of the General Assembly Building, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Kindly RSVP to Lisa.Helt@Goldenhatfoundation.org.
Panel Discussion on "World Autism Awareness Day:
Delivering Answers through Inclusive International Collaboration"
The event will feature the public unveiling of the 2012 United Nations Postal Administration Autism Awareness Stamps.
The panel discussion is co-sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the United States to the United Nations, the Permanent Mission of the State of Qatar to the United Nations and Autism Speaks.
Opening remarks will be delivered by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the President of the 66th Session of the General Assembly, the Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, the Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN and Autism Speaks founders Bob and Suzanne Wright.
The discussion will be moderated by award-winning journalist Christiane Amanpour, of CNN International.
On 3 April 2012 in the ECOSOC Chamber, North Lawn Building, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Kindly RSVP to RSVP@BrownLloydJames.com.
Multi-media presentation and discussion "Through Her Eyes:
A view into the challenges of raising an autistic child"
Poster of the film "A Mother's Courage: Talking
Back to Autism"
Ms. Shai Ginott, an Israeli photographer, documents her autistic daughter’s life and presents a different kind of family album. The presentation combines photography, storytelling and social commentary, and demonstrates what it is like to raise an autistic child.
A light lunch will be served at 12:30 pm.
The exhibit opening will be moderated by Juan Carlos Brandt, Chief of Advocacy and Special Events, Department of Public Information.
Multi-media presentation and discussion on 5 April 2012 in Room C, North Lawn Building from 1:15 to 2:45 pm. Kindly RSVP to: autismday@newyork.mfa.gov.il