For immediate release
Friday, 6 July 2012
Louisville, Kentucky USA

Next World Deaf Congress to be held in Istanbul in 2015

Today in Louisville, KY, USA, the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and the Turkish National Federation of the Deaf (TNFD) signed a contract to organise the XVII World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf to be held in Istanbul, Turkey in 2015. The contract was signed by WFD President Mr Colin Allen and TNFD President Mr Ercument Tanriverdi at a signing ceremony during the 51st Biennial Conference of the USA National Association of the Deaf.

In July, 2011, the 18th WFD General Assembly in Durban, South Africa voted to award the right to host the XVII World Congress to the Turkish National Federation of the Deaf.

The signing ceremony today marks the first step for the Turkish National Federation of the Deaf in its preparations for one of the most important deaf events in the world. The World Congress theme will be announced early 2013.

The Presidents of the two organisations expressed their joy and excitement on this historic occasion and invited the NAD conference audience to join them in Istanbul, the “city of two continents,” from July 28 to August 2, 2015.

WFD and TNFD look forward to welcoming the global Deaf Community, parents and families of deaf people, interpreters, professionals who work with deaf people and government officials to the XVII World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf in Istanbul.

Further information can be obtained from the World Federation of the Deaf, Ms Heidi-Maria Helenius +358 50 4388 370