Attention: This side event is in-person only at the UN Headquarters in New York. Time of the event is 13:15 to 14:30 Eastern Standard Time EST
Strategies for the rights of persons with disabilities play an important role in the comprehensive planning of disability policy and thereby for the effective implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Strategies may take many forms and concern all kinds of policies and horizontal matters. Some have a focus on specific matters, such as new technologies or development cooperation. Strategies may also be developed for all levels of implementation – from International, regional, National, local; these need to be interconnected.
The study on disability strategies conducted by Sweden during its presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2023 encouraged discussions on the role of disability strategies and the necessary aspects to make them effective. The current Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union continue the discussions to feed the preparation of the second phase of the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The bodies and agencies of the UN adopted its UN Disability Strategy helping to advance and focus the implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities in its own organisation and policies. Other regions of the world, such as the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or the Iberoamerican region have also made significant progress and launched strategies on the rights of persons with disabilities.
The aim of present side event is to share information and experiences on what makes a strategy effective and what results can be expected from them. The discussion will take place on the basis of existing or planned strategies from different parts of the world as well as on the essential role of civil society, in particular disability organisations, in the success of process. Participants will gain knowledge on the preparation and successful execution of disability strategies and plans in order to better advance in the implementation of the CRPD.
Moderator
Katarina Ivankovic-Kenezevic, Director Social Rights and Inclusion, European Commission.
Keynote
Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality, European Commission
Speakers
- Ola Balke, National Expert, Swedish Agency for Participation
- Sara Janssens, Policy coordination and international relations, Ministry of Social Security, Belgium
- Catherine Naughton, Executive Director, European Disability Forum (EDF)
- Daniel Concha, President of the IberoAmerican programme on disability
- Lim Puay Tiak, Chairman, ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF)
- Mina Mojtahedi, Senior Social Affairs Officer, UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, United Nations