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Yoko Ono designated as first global autism ambassador

Japanese artist and widow of Beatles legend John Lennon, Yoko Ono has been appointed as the first global ambassador for autism.

New York: Japanese artist and widow of Beatles legend John Lennon, Yoko Ono has been appointed as the first global ambassador for autism.
The 77-year-old artist was honoured by Autism Speaks, a major autism advocacy group yesterday, Kyodo news reported. "I have long believed that art is a great way to raise global awareness," Ono said. Last year at the United Nations, Ono presented a 2.1-meter-high jigsaw-like mural called `Promise` with 67 pieces to represent the estimated 67 million who are suffering from autism around the world and raised more than USD 60,000 by auctioning off the pieces. "As an artist the concept of distance means nothing to me, you can bring the whole world together with a song, a painting or a single word and that is what I have tried to achieve with `Promise` and I hope it has been able to make a difference," she said. Ono, who also worked together with Lennon to raise awareness through art about the civil rights and anti-war movements, hopes to heighten global understanding of the complex neurobiological disorder. "I am really trying to work for world peace and for us to have world peace it is very important that we take care of each other and we are interested in each other`s problems," Ono said. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon also offered a pre-recorded video message ahead of World Autism Awareness Day, which is recognised on April 2 each year. "The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which entered into force in May 2008, is a powerful tool to redress these injustices," Ban said, referring to the discrimination faced by autistic persons. Ban also called on all governments on World Autism Awareness Day to "reaffirm their commitment to make universal human rights a reality". According to Autism Speaks, one in 110 children in the US is diagnosed with autism, which inhibits a person`s ability to communicate and develop social relationships. It affects four times as many boys as girls. Autism Speaks is involved in efforts globally to highlight the disorder and has started a campaign called `Light it Up Blue` to encourage iconic landmarks and buildings to shine blue lights. New York`s Empire State Building and Chicago`s Willis Tower, formerly known as the Sears Tower, as well as buildings in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh and other parts of the world will be bathed in blue lights on April 1,2. PTI