By IDA

 - March 22, 2018

IN THIS EDITION:

  1. Highlights
  2. Treaty bodies review, Geneva 2017-2018
  3. SDGs monitoring process
  4. UN system, agencies and mechanism
  5. Activities in the past weeks
  6. Upcoming activities
  7. IDA (or co-sponsored) intellectual productions
  8. IDA members
  9. Other
  10. Job offers

1. HIGHLIGHTS

ADVOCACY WEEK, 24 FEBRUARY 2018 – 7 MARCH 2018, BEIRUT, LEBANON

  • BEIRUT ADVOCACY WEEK:  A series of meetings were held in Beirut from 24 February to 7 march 2018, in the framework of the Beirut Advocacy Week. These meetings included the Executive Committee Meeting on 25 -26 February 2018, the IDA Programme Committee Meeting on 27 February - 2 March 2018, the Individual workshop days for BRIDGE CRPD-SDG Art11 and BRIDGE CRPD-SDG MENA Region on 2 - 5 March 2018, and the IASC Task Team MENA Region Consultation on 6 - 7 March 2018.
  • PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEETING: IDA's Program Committee (comprising of IDA Member Directors and representatives) met to review progress made in joint programming and projects, which will be framing the implementation of the SDGs with particular attention to most marginalised groups. During the 4-day meeting, IDA was joined by International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC) and Disability Rights Fund (DRF) to discuss on maximizing SDGs momentum for further implementation of the CRPD, and ensuring meaningful engagement of DPOs, especially from women, youth, most marginalised groups and poorest countries at global, national and regional level. There was an overview of current initiatives and upcoming priorities around Article 11. The partners collectively discussed synergies between the BRIDGE CRPD-SDGs initiative and other IDA and IDDC capacity development / advocacy actions for CRPD-compliant SDGs. The rich, informative and substantive discussions will ensure that all partners continue to work together collaboratively moving forward. 
  • BRIDGE CRPD-SDGS ARTICLE 11 AND BRIDGE CRPD-SDGS MENA: Following increased requests for the organisation of BRIDGE CRPD-SDGs trainings in different regions, the Bridge Steering Committee organised a technical workshop on 2-5 March 2018, in Beirut, Lebanon. Two days were dedicated to discussions on a BRIDGE Middle East and North African region (BRIDGE MENA) and two other days were dedicated to discussions on a BRIDGE CRPD-SDGs focusing on the Article 11 of the CRPD related to Situations of Risk and Humanitarian Emergencies (BRIDGE ARTICLE 11). Through some BRIDGE activities, partners worked together in the design of the future BRIDGES, including its structure, priorities, contents, task teams’ composition, among others. The workshop counted over 40 participants from different IDA and IDDC members, DRAF representatives, including facilitators, support providers, consultants and interpreters. Further information will be disseminated soon on IDA’s and IDDC’s web pages.
  • IASC TASK TEAM ON INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION: MENA REGIONAL CONSULTATION: The Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), in partnership with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task Team on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action and IDA (co-chair of the Task Team), held a regional multi-stakeholder consultation for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region in Beirut, Lebanon from 6 – 7 March 2018. The workshop was the second in a series of regional consultations supporting the development of the IASC Guidelines on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action (“the Guidelines”). Sixty participants, including organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs), humanitarian and development stakeholders and governments based in the MENA region discussed priority areas and key components of the Guidelines, and share feedback to ensure the Guidelines will be effective and relevant in the field. More information available on IDA’s website.
  • ADVOCACY: During the advocacy week in Beirut, an IDA delegation consisting of IDA Chair, IDA First Vice-chair, IDA Executive Director as well as delegates from IDA Member Arab Organisation of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), met with the President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun. The delegation discussed with the President the ratification of the CRPD in Lebanon as well as the situation of refugees with disabilities in Lebanon. IDA also informed that they will be co-hosting the UK Global Disability Summit in July 2018 and invited the President of Lebanon to attend the Summit. 

OPEN RECRUTEMENT FOR IDA SECRETARIAT SENIOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVISOR FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

  • IDA Secretariat is recruiting a Senior Human Rights Advisor to cover both the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly. The Senior Human Rights Advisor will be responsible for coordinating, providing technical expertise and advising IDA advocacy work to promote the rights of persons with disabilities in the Human Rights Council and all related bodies, and at the UN General Assembly and Conference of State Parties to the CRPD (download the application pack). Applications must be submitted to recruitment [at] ida-secretariat.org by30 March 2018 (deadline has been extended).

INITIAL TECHNICAL WORKSHOP OF THE IDA FLAGSHIP INITIATIVE ON EDUCATION

  • Inclusion International organized an Initial Technical Workshop of the IDA flagship initiative on education in partnership with IDA. The workshop was held in London from 12-14 March 2018 and gathered external experts and contributors (download the report and here the list of participants). The aim of the workshop was to elaborate consensus perspective based on evidence of DPOs on how best to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4/article 24 for all children with disabilities by 2030.  More information available on IDA’s website.

2. TREATY BODIES REVIEWS, GENEVA 2017-2018

122ND SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE, 12 MARCH 2018- 06 APRIL 2018, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

  • The Human Rights Committee opened its 122nd Session (12 March 2018 – 06 April 2018) in which it will be reviewing El Salvador, Guatemala, Hungary, Lebanon, Liberia and Norway. Public meetings will be webcasted live on UN Web TV.

63rd SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS, 12 MARCH 2018 – 29 MARCH 2018, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

  • The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights opened its 63rd Session (12 March 2018 - 29 March 2018) in which it will be reviewing the States’ reports on CESCR implementation of Bangladesh, Central African Republic, Mexico, New Zealand, Niger and Spain. Public meetings can be followed live here.

19th SESSION OF THE UN COMMITTEE ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, 14 FEBRUARY 2018 - 09 MARCH 2018, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

  • The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities closed its 19Th Session (14 February - 09 March 2018).During this session, the Committee held interactive dialogues and adopted concluding observations on Haiti, Nepal, Oman, Russian Federation, Seychelles, Slovenia and Sudan, and as well list of issues prior to reporting for Costa Rica, New Zealand, Paraguay and Republic of Korea, under the simplified reporting procedure. IDA, together with other key partners, provided support to organisations of persons with disabilities from Haiti, Nepal, Oman, the Russian Federation and Slovenia, to actively engage with the CRPD Committee members in private meetings and attend the constructive dialogues between the Committee and the States, throughout the session. More information available on IDA’s website.
    • The CRPD Committee has recently published the advanced unedited version of its recently adopted General Comment no. 6 on article 5 - Equality and Non-Discrimination (only in English for now). Click here to download it.
    • The CRPD Committee has recently published its draft General Comment no. 7 on articles 4(3) and 33(33) on close consultation and involvement of organizations of persons with disabilities in decision making processes; the Committee has called for written submissions, deadline 15 May 2018. Please find the draft General Comment and call for submissions here attached (Download here), or click here.

3. SDGS MONITORING PROCCESS

REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FORUMS

  • LATIN AMERICA FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2018: Latin America Forum on Sustainable Development 2018 (APFSD 2018) will be held on 16-17 April 2018 in Santiago, Chile. The Latin America civil society meeting on Sustainable Development will be held on 18-20 April 2018 as a preparatory meeting. WNUSP and RIADIS representatives will attend both events.
  • ASIA-PACIFIC FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 2018: Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2018 (APFSD 2018) will be held on 28-30 March 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Asia-Pacific civil society meeting on Sustainable Development will be held on 25-27 March 2018 as a preparatory meeting. Both events will be attended by IFHOH and PDF representatives.

WEST AFRICAN CONSULTATION ON VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEWS, 23 MARCH 2018, DAKAR, SENEGAL

  • The UN will hold a one day West African consultation between stakeholders and governments on the voluntary national reviews, in preparation to the 2018 HLPF. The consultation will take place on 23 March 2018, in Dakar, Senegal. Representatives of the following countries will be present: Benin, Cape Verde, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Republic of Congo, Senegal et Togo.

EXPERT MEETING ON DISABILITY DISAGGREGATED STATISTICS FOR MONITORING OF THE SDGS, 26-27 MARCH 2018, NEW YORK, USA

  • An Expert meeting on disability disaggregated statistics for monitoring of the SDGs will be held on the 26-27 March 2018, in New York, USA.  The meeting is convened by UNICEF, the UN Statistical Division (UNSD-TBC), the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Global Action on Disability (GLAD).

49TH SESSION OF THE UN STATISTICAL COMMISSION, 6-9 MARCH 2018, NEW YORK, USA

  • UN STATISTICAL COMMISSION: The 49th Session of the UN Statistical Commission took place on 6 - 9 March 2018, at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. There were two important agenda items: (1) Discussions on the SDGs global indicator framework (general debate not disability specific) and (2) Discussions over the work of the Washington Group and disability statistics. Click here to read IDA and IDDC’s report on the meeting.

FORUM ON “TRANFORMING GOVERNANCE FOR REALIZING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS”, 21-23 JUNE 2018, MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

  • SDGs: The United Nations Public Service Forum is organizing a Forum on “Transforming Governance for Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals” to be held in Marrakech, Morocco, from 21-23 June 2018. In 2018, the Forum will focus on “Transforming Governance for Realizing the Sustainable Development Goals”.  At the Forum, participants will debate on how to transform the way governments, institutions and public administrations are organized and work to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and to become effective, inclusive and accountable, as committed in SDG 16.

4. UN SYSTEM, AGENCIES AND MECHANISM

37th SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGTHS COUNCIL, 26 February 2018 - 23 March 2018, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

  • The Human Rights Council opened its 37th Session (26 February 2018 – 23 March 2018) on 26 February 2018. IDA was represented by Siddo Oumarou, President of the National Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities of Niger, member of the African Disability Forum (ADF), at the Annual Interactive Panel on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this year focused on the article 13 of the CRPD on access to justice for persons with disabilities. In addition to the annual panel, IDA participated in the negotiation of the biannual resolution on the rights of persons with disabilities; this year focused on the article 5 of the CRPD on equality and non-discrimination, and on the art 13 on access to justice. While the majority of states were supportive of language proposed by the main co-sponsors – Mexico and New Zealand – advances related to the legal capacity of persons with disabilities are still not supported by all members states, including some that are part to the CRPD. In a general intervention during the last informal negotiation, IDA encouraged states parties to withdraw any reservation they still have in particular articles of the CRPD. IDA was particularly active in the resolution on the right to work.
    • SIDE EVENT - KAZAKHSTAN’S EXPERIENCE IN IMPLEMENTING AND MONITORING THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: The Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan in Geneva organized, in collaboration with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Catalina Devandas-Aguilar, a side event on 6 March 2018 at the Palais des Nations, in Geneva, Switzerland (Download the flyer here). The side event entitled “Kazakhstan’s experience in implementing and monitoring the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” served as opportunity to discuss and provide practical guidance on the establishment and functioning of National Implementation and Monitoring Frameworks. More information available on IDA’s website.
  • SIDE EVENT - SYNERGIES AMONG UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS SYSTEM IN THE FRAMEWORK OF AGENDA 2030: The Special Envoy of the Secretary General on disability and Accessibility, the Permanent Mission of Chile, the Permanent Mission of México, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and IDA organized a side event entitled: Synergies among Universal Human Rights System in the framework of Agenda 2030, on 7 March 2018, in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland (Download the concept note and the flyer here). More information available on IDA’s website.
  • SIDE EVENT - TOWARDS THE FULL REALIZATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WITH DISABILITIES: IDA, the Government of Spain, the Permanent Mission of New Zealand and UNFPA organised a side event entitled “Towards the Full Realization of the Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities” on 8 March 2018, at Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. More information available on IDA’s website.

62nd SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, 12 - 23 MARCH 2018, NEW YORK, UNITED STATED OF AMERICA

  • The 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (12-23 March 2018) has opened on 12 March 2018 at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, USA. The priority of this year’s event is: “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls”.
  •  IDA is organizing a parallel event at the CSW NGO Forum together with Humanity and Inclusion/Making It Work Gender and Disability Project and the Disability Rights Fund. The event will take place at 4:30 PM on 22 March 2018, at the Church Center for the United Nations, in New York (Download the flyer here). This interactive session will bring together women leaders with disabilities from grassroots communities in Africa to share their work top combat gender-based violence against women and girls with disabilities in rural communities. These leaders will outline inclusive strategies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The session will also explore cross-movement collaboration as a strategy for greater inclusion. International Sign Language will be provided. Please RSVP by 15 March  2018 to Lisa Adams (ladams [at] disabilityrightsfund.org)">ladams [at] disabilityrightsfund.org). More information available on IDA’s website.

UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR DISASTER RISK REDUCTION STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT CONSULTATION, 20-21 FEBRUARY 2018, NEW YORK, USA

  • The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly resolution (56/195), to serve as the focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations system and regional organizations and activities in socio‐economic and humanitarian fields. It organized a Stakeholder engagement consultation on 20-21 February 2018 in New York, USA. More information available here.

UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND “PROGRESS FOR CHILDREN IN THE SDG ERA” REPORT

  • UNICEF published its first thematic report: “Progress for Children in the SDG Era” assessing performance toward achieving the SDG global targets that concern children and young people. Children with disabilities are explicitly mentioned 17 times in the report, including in a call to action page 100 of the report. Click here to read the report.

HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA APP

  • To better organise your work at the UN with up-to-date information on event dates, times and meeting documentation on a single platform, you can download the Human Rights Agenda App on your smartphone.

5. ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST WEEKS

  • MAKING IT WORK GENDER AND DISABILITY FORUM: The Second Gender and Disability Forum was held in Nairobi from 5-9 March 2018. The Forum was made of two components: the Workshop for Good Practice Holders (5-9 March 2018), and the Regional Roundtable “Better addressing the intersectionality of gender and disability in Africa: regional opportunities” (9 March 2018) (read the concept note of the event). The event, co-sponsored by HI and DRF, gathered women with disabilities engaged in implementation of good practices in reducing violence against women and girls with disabilities from African countries. More information available here.
  • ZERO PROJECT CONFERENCE: The 2018 Zero Project conference was held from 21 to 23 February 2018 in Vienna, Austria. The conference sought to connect guests from many different sectors of society so that they can share and discuss ideas and concepts related to accessibility that really work. IDA was represented by its Secretary-General.
  • BRIDGE CRPD-SDGs ToT: In the framework of the BRIDGE CRPD-SDG Training Initiative, IDA and IDDC organised Module A of the Training of Trainers (ToT) from 11-16 February 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. Testimonies of some of the 10 trainees are available on IDA’s website.
  • GLAD NETWORK: IDA and the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the co-chairs of the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) network, issued a communique which provides a summary of the GLAD meeting held from 31 January to 2 February 2018, in Helsinki, Finland. The meeting, co-hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA Finland) and the Abilis Foundation, reviewed progress since the GLAD Network Meeting in Berlin on 2-3 March 2017 and the Steering Committee meeting in New York on 13 June 2017. Click here to read the communiqué.

6. OTHER UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

FEBRUARY-MARCH

  • BRIDGING THE GAP: The EU funded project Bridging the Gap proposes a webinar-based training cycle on 26 March 2018 to foster a culture of disability mainstreaming in development and to define a homogeneous approach to the project crosscutting topics. The first module focuses on understanding the CRPD and analysing its principles and structureClick here to register. On the day of the webinar you will receive a link to connect directly to our training platform (download the concept note).  More information available on GLAD network’s website.

APRIL

  • IAEG- SDGs: The 7th Meeting of the IAEG- SDGs will take place on 10-12 April 2018 in Vienna, Austria. The meeting will be hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). There will be a Members meeting taking place during the first day (9 April) and a Plenary Session taking place during the following three days (10 - 12 April). The aims or the meeting are: to review the tier classification, to discuss the implementation of the guidelines on data flows and global data reporting and the development of a document on best practices in global data reporting, to review proposals for additional indicators, to discuss progress made on the work stream on data disaggregation, and to share experiences on implementing monitoring of the SDGs. More information on the meeting available here.
  • BRIDGE UGANDA: The first cycle ofthe national BRIDGE CRPD-SDG training in Uganda will be held from 12-19 April 2018. The training is organised by ADF, in partnership with CBM, IDDC and IDA, supported by a grant from the Big Lottery Fund (BLF) in the UK.
  • COMMONWEALTH SUMMIT: The People's Forum at the Commonwealth Summit will be held on 16-18 April 2018, in London, United Kingdom. The mainstream forums will offer an opportunity for Commonwealth dialogue and provide a platform for wider debate of some of the key issues and challenges, in advance of discussions by leaders at CHOGM. IDA Secretariat is looking at whether the Common Wealth can fund the participation of some DPOs. Click here to register for the Summit. 
  • PARTNERS FOR REVIEW MEETING: The German initiative Partners for Review will hold its next meeting from 11-12 April 2018, in Tbilisi, Georgia.

JUNE                                                                                                                            

  • 2018 Helen Keller World Conference: The 11th Helen Keller World Conference will take place on 19-27 June 2018 in Benidorm, Spain. With the main topic: “Our rights; Our Voice; We lead the Way”, the 11th HKWC 2018 will focus on strengthening human rights, democracy and equality through full and equal inclusion of persons with deafblindness in all aspects of the global, regional, national and local society in which we live. Registration forms are available for download on WFDB’s website.
  • COSP: The 11th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD will take place on 12-14 June 2018, at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA. Among other agenda items, the session will expect to feature an election of 9 members of the CRPD Committee.

JULY

  • 2018 UK DISABILITY SUMMIT: IDA will be co-hosting the first UK global disability summit with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) on 24 July 2018, at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, in London, United Kingdom.  The objectives of the Summit are to: raise global attention and focus on a neglected area; to bring in new voices and approaches to broaden engagement; to mobilise new global and national commitments on disability; and to showcase good practices and evidence from across the world.

AUGUST

  • CRPD: The 20th Session of the CRPD committee will take place from 20 August 2018 to 7 September 2017, in Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.

OCTOBER

  • UN WORLD DATA FORUM: The UN World Data Forum 2018 will take place in Dubai, UAE from 22-24 October 2018. The event will bring together data leaders from diverse stakeholder groups, including national and international statistical systems, academia, business community and civil society. The aim of the forum is to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, identify solutions, discuss future strategies, and provide mutual learning opportunities on a wide variety of topics. More information available on the website of the UN World Data Forum.

7. IDA (OR CO-SPONSORED) INTELLECTUAL PRODUCTIONS

  •  TOOLKIT FOR ENGAGEMENT OF DPO IN THE VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEW PROCESS:

IDA and CBM developed a new guide on how persons with disabilities can engage in advocacy to make the SDGs inclusive. This toolkit has been developed as an exploratory and interactive tool for DPOs on the monitoring mechanisms of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) implementation, called Voluntary National Reviews. The toolkit aims to provide step-by-step guidance, ideas, suggestions and templates for building successful advocacy campaigns and strategies to participate in the monitoring mechanisms of the Sustainable Development Goals. Download the toolkit here.

8. IDA MEMBERS

Arab Organisation of Persons with disabilities

  • The Arab Forum of Women with Disabilities (AFOWD): “Collaborating for a Safe and Barrier Free World” will be held on 28-29 April 2018, in Cairo, Egypt. The event is organized in partnership with the Department of Women, Family and Childhood at the League of Arab States, the Women's Refugee Commission (WRC) and the Collective for Research and Training on Development- Action (CRTDA). To participate please complete the attached form (Download the registration form) and send it to the General Secretariat of the Conference (afowd2018 [at] gmail.com) by 31 March 2018.

Down Syndrome International

  • To celebrate the Down Syndrome International Day, the Permanent Mission of Brazil and Down Syndrome International are hosting the side event ‘What I bring to my community – Enabling all persons with Down syndrome to speak up on how they can contribute and live fulfilling lives, fully included in the community’, on 21 March 2018, in Geneva, Switzerland. The event is co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of India, Israel, United Kingdom and OHCHR, with the support of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities and IDA. The event will take place in room 7 of the Palais des Nations, from 10:30 to 12:15. Organisers will provide captioning. The event will be webcast live here
    • In preparation for this side event, self-advocates from different continents had a workshop on 20 March 2018 in the WCC building in Geneva, in which they counted on the visit of a group of students from the International School which are studying the human rights of marginalised groups, as well as IDA’s senior staff.

European Disability Forum

Inclusion international

  • Inclusion International (II) will hold its 17th International World Conference on 2 June 2018, in Birmingham, Great Britain. The Congress is organized in collaboration with Inclusion Europe and sponsored by Mencap. (Download the concept note of the Meeting and Proposed Agenda).
  • Inclusion International will hold its Global Self-Advocacy Summit on 31 May 2018,  a 1-day event just for self-advocates and supporters. In this framework, II will be launching its Calls to Action. Click here to register.

Word Federation of Deaf

  • The WFD would like to announce the appointment of Ms Eeva Tupi to the position of interim Team Leader as she continues the work of Ms Meri Hyrske-Fischer. Ms Fischer’s last day with the WFD Secretariat will be on 12 March 2018. Ms Tupi will conclude her previous role of Human Rights Officer at the end of March, and will serve in her new role from 1 April to 30 June 2018.
  • Following the declaration by the UN, International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) will be celebrated annually on 23 September as part of the International Week of the Deaf (IWDeaf). This year’s cross-cutting theme is ‘With Sign Language, Everyone is Included!’

9.OTHERS

  • ACCOUNTABILITY TOOLKIT: Women Enabled International is holding a side event on 14 March 2018, at 12:30pm, in New York City, USA. Panelists will discuss how effective engagement with the UN human rights system can elevate the voices of excluded populations to promote and protect their rights. This event will also introduce Women Enabled International’s new, innovative accountABILITY Toolkit, a resource consisting of three briefing papers designed to facilitate effective civil society participation in the UN human rights system to advance women’s rights, hold States accountable to their human rights obligations, and ensure that the voices of all women and girls are being heard.
  • DISABILITY RIGHTS FUND: The Disability Rights Fund (DRF) has opened its 2018 Round 1 Request for Proposals for Disabled Persons’ Organizations in Malawi, Myanmar and Nigeria. DPOs in Haiti and Indonesia who submitted Letters of Interest (LoIs) and have been invited are also welcome to apply. Please see the details attached in WORD in English, French and Bahasa (Download the press release in English and French). The deadline for proposals is 22 March 2018. Interested organizations are urged to review the full eligibility criteria and RFP details posted on the Fund’s website
  • MENTAL HEALTH EUROPE: Mental Health Europe has presented a new animated video on Article 19 of the CRPD on independent living and community inclusion.  Article 19 recognises that every person with a disability, including people with a psychosocial disability, has the right to live independently and be included in the community. Click here to watch MHE's video
  • 2018 CHARLES T. MANATT DEMOCRACY AWARD: The online nomination process for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems' (IFES) 2018 Charles T. Manatt Democracy Award is now open to the public and will be accepted through 6 April 2018. The Democracy Award is given annually to three individuals: a Republican, a Democrat, and a member of the international community. The three Democracy Awards are presented in a single ceremony each year. This year's event will be held on 24 September 2018, in Washington, D.C., USA Click here to submit your nomination.
  • YOUNG WOMEN TRANSFORM:  ENABLING YOUTH-LED ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Under YouthPower Learning, USAID will be awarding small grants to youth-led and youth-serving organizations to identify innovative solutions to advance the economic empowerment of young women in their communities.   The call for applications is open until 30 April 2018.More information available here.
    • THE WORLD SUMMIT ON ACCESSIBLE TOURISM: The Second World Summit on Accessible Tourism will be held in Brussels, Belgium on 1-2 October 2018. Click here if you would like to submit an abstract on one of the following theme: 1) Destination management, 2) Hosting and security, 3) Accommodation, 4) Transport and mobility, 5) Products and leisure activities. More information on the Summit are available here.
    • NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE DISABLED NEPAL: The National Federation of the Disabled - Nepal (NFDN) is co-organizing International Conference on Accessible Adventure together with Nepal Tourism Board and few other organizations on 29-31 March 2018 in Pokhara, Nepal.  The conference will focus on international best practices in inclusive tourism for slow-walker” seniors and travelers with disabilities leading to improved tourism facilities, services, and marketing that will attract a new segment of visitors to Nepal and provide new opportunities for Nepal’s people with disabilities for employment and experiencing the country’s wonders. Click here to register for the event.
  • TECHBILITY: Techbility launches World’s First Mobile App for accessibility assessments of the built environment. Access Inspector, available for iOS and Android devices, is a mobile App designed to assist anyone interested in accessibility of the built environment.  Launched by Techbility as the first mobile app for accessibility assessments of the built environment, Access Inspector is an easy to use checklist tool for assessing more than 40 common architectural built environment features, including: accessible routes, doors, corridors, ramps, toilets, elevators, signage, etc. It is based on leading international standards and technical specifications, providing users with the best practices necessary for assessing public and private buildings of all kinds and sizes. Access Inspector (Version 1.0) is available in English, with other versions coming soon. The iOS version can be downloaded here.  The Android version will be available in mid-March 2018.
  • CHRUSP: The Center for the Human Rights of Users and Survivors of Psychiatry (CHRUSP) is going to participate in the 9th Working Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing held from 23 to 26 July 2018, at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA. The two focal areas for this year are 1) autonomy and independence, and 2) long term and palliative care. They also ask for suggestions of normative content for last year’s focal areas on 1) equality and non-discrimination and 2) neglect, violence and abuse.  Submissions on each focal area are limited to 800 words, plus normative citations (e.g. you can quote from CRPD, GC1, African Protocol etc.). It appears that only ECOSOC accredited organizations and organizations previously accredited to this process can make submissions.  CHRUSP is ECOSOC accredited and will be making a submission.It is trying to gather and focus perspectives from the disability community on the following points: 1) as we age, what are we confronting to? and what are we sensitive to as a result of our experiences? and 2) what knowledge of a human rights paradigm from the CRPD do we bring? especially in relation to autonomy and the leadership of people concerned about their own human rights (i.e. not service provider or family or ‘carer’ perspectives). Written submissions are due on 9 April 2018. Please send inputs to tminkowitz [at] earthlink.net

10. JOB OFFERS

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