Fondation Autisme Luxembourg (FAL) has announced that it is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, as well as World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April 2021.

World Autism Awareness Day

Each year on 2 April, World Autism Awareness Day aims to raise awareness around the world about autism. Recognised by the United Nations (UN), this international awareness day was first organised in 2008. All UN Member States are called upon to raise public awareness on the subject of autism by implementing various measures. In Luxembourg, FAL is an active participant and aims to reach as many people as possible.

Autism is often considered to be a rare disease; in fact, it is an invisible disability which affects around one in 100 people in Europe, i.e. five million people in the European Union (EU). In Luxembourg, this figure corresponds to more than 6,000 people.

 A better understanding of the behaviour of the individuals concerned, which would further facilitate their full integration into society, still requires public information. Due to the health crisis linked to COVID-19, FAL's actions on the ground have been severely limited. However, the foundation has developed several virtual initiatives to allow everyone to participate in a safe way.

Firstly, on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, FAL is inviting the population to join it on social networks and share its messages. Members of the public are also encouraged to take pictures of themselves dressed in blue and share them with the foundation with the hashtags #FAL, #autism #EMMERDO and #LIUB2021.

Throughout the week of World Autism Awareness Day, FAL will also post short videos on its social networks to show what it does and to present its various sites. 

Once again this year, several buildings will light up in blue as part of the "Light It Up Blue" campaign during the week of 2 April 2021. In Luxembourg, this includes the Grand Ducal Palace, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Philharmonie, among others. Everyone can also participate by wearing blue clothes and posting pictures on social media. 

25th Anniversary

FAL was founded in 1996 on the initiative of a group of parents directly affected by autism. They came together to address the lack of structures and services for people with autism in Luxembourg. The main objective of the foundation is to promote and defend the rights of people with autism regardless of the severity of their disability. When these rights are threatened, the FAL always intervenes in favour of the person concerned. In addition, the foundation ensures compliance with the rules of ethics and fundamental rights defined in the Charter of Rights for Persons with Autism.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, FAL is organising several events and activities this year, such as the publication of a series of articles entitled "12 mois 12 histoires" (12 months 12 stories) which addresses through twelve different themes the lives of those directly affected by autism. A big family celebration is also planned, as soon as the sanitary measures allow it, to reflect on the evolution of the foundation since 1996 and to promote exchanges between new and older families benefiting from the support of FAL.

In addition, FAL will organise a charity sports challenge in autumn and a high-level academic conference at the end of the year. The foundation also expects to be able to complete its flagship project this year, which consists of financing the development of the outdoor space of its site in Rambrouch.

More details on the various actions will follow throughout the year.