OUR VOICE AT THE UN is a bi-monthly series that provides information and news about how we are affecting change at the UN and how to get involved in global efforts and initiatives that will impact your communities and your country. Speaking Up at COSPThe 12th Conference of States Parties (COSP) took place 11-13 June at the United Nations in New York City, following a one-day Civil Society Forum. "Families are drivers of change." Our council members, Sue Swenson and Luis Gabriel Villareal, alongside Vibhu Sharma, a youth advocate from India. co-moderated an interactive dialogue session during a Civil Society Forum hosted by the Civil Society Coordination Mechanism, on Protecting the rights of children with disabilities to live with their family.During the COSP opening session, our President, Sue Swenson delivered a statement highlighting the continuous issues and challenges related to institutions and children with intellectual disabilities. She shared our Calls to Action and emphasized the crucial role of families in our movement, insisting that families must be included in all decision-making processes. What strategies are you using to support families in your country? Join our Call to Action to Support Families and share your work with us. "NO MORE institutions!"Our side-event on Persons with Intellectual Disabilities and Institutions: Lived Experiences and Ways to Achieve Deinstitutionalization moderated by our President, Sue Swenson, was a great success thanks to the insightful presentations. Self-advocates shared their lived experiences and Robert Martin, CRPD Committee member, delivered quality recommendations. The event was attended by more than 70 people. What strategies are you using to close institutions in your country? Join our Call to Action to Close Institutions and share your work with us. "Social Inclusion means being involved in activities based on our personal choices"On 12 June 2019, during the second roundtable on Social inclusion and the right of the highest attainable standard of health, Kory Earle, People First Canada President and member of the Empower Us team, delivered a statement on a panel alongside Catalina Devandas, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of people with Disabilities. He explained what social inclusion means for persons with intellectual disabilities and the challenges that people face; "To me social Inclusion is having a sense of belonging, being accepted in the community but also having a role in the community. Taking part in community life and activities. Being involved in activities based on my personal choices. Having relationships with others based on my choice and common interests and having friends." At our side-event called Digitalization, Empowerment and Decision-making: How can we ensure that persons with intellectual disabilities are included?, Tia Nelis, Policy Advisor and Self-Advocate from TASH, shared her efforts on making access to technologies easier for people with intellectual disabilities through an introductory guide on how to use technologies. The last day of the Conference, Jaime Cruz, Empower Us fellow and member representative from Peru, was among the panellists of the third roundtable on Inclusion of persons with disabilities in society through participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports. He shared his experience as a sportsman and actor and highlighted the importance of the culture and sports for people with intellectual disabilities to be included in the society. During the interactive closing session, Luis Gabriel Villareal, our council member from Colombia, highlighted the need for people with intellectual disabilities to be more visible and involved in decision-making processes. He also shared the demands of our Calls to Action to achieve being a full member of the society. You can watch Luis Gabriel’s presentation here or read
it here. #COSP12 #ActionOnInclusion #SupportFamilies #CloseInstitutionsSelf-Advocates call upon the HLPF to Take Action for Inclusion and join our Calls to Action!The Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities delivered interventions and statements on behalf of civil society during the High Level Political Forum (HPLF) which took place on 9 - 19 July at the UN headquarters in New York. The Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities organized a side event on reducing inequalities. It addressed the implementation of Goal 10 for people with Disabilities. Self-advocates from our member YAI, Janice McPhillips and Michael Burg, delivered a statement to call on reducing inequalities for people with intellectual disabilities. They also shared our Call to Actions on Real Jobs with Real Pay and Inclusive Education. #HLPF2019 #ActionOnInclusion #RealJobs #InclusiveEducationUpcoming CRPD Committee Country ReviewsFrom 26 August - 17 September, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Committee will hold its 22nd session. During this session the following countries will be reviewed: Albania, Myanmar, Ecuador, India, Greece, Kuwait, Iraq, El Salvador and Australia. Also, The Committee will adopt lists of issues Prior to Reporting for Canada and Ukraine. During the pre-sessional Working Group, the Committee will adopt Lists of issues for the following countries: Japan, Djibouti, France, Mexico, Lao PDR, Singapore, Switzerland, Venezuela, Mauritius and Slovakia. Please let us know if you’ve been involved in the parallel report process or if you plan to attend one of the following sessions in Geneva. We are interested in learning about your experiences and would be happy to provide support. Upcoming Events
If you want to be involved in one of these events, are looking for support to become involved, or you would like to contribute by sharing your experience, please contact Manel Mhiri, manel@inclusion-international.org |