Celebrating the Work of the International Disability Alliance

Image of some of the recipients of the recognition plaque during the IDA side-event at the 12th COSP

In 2019, the International Disability Alliance celebrates its 20th year of existence. Recognising the progress that has been made to date in the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities, IDA organised a side-event under the auspices of the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD. 

Through the side-event, IDA took stock of its progress over the past 20 years, including its key achievements and highlights, while also recognising the shortcomings and the gaps in its work. The side-event also identified areas of further collaboration between the members of IDA and its partners and all relevant stakeholders, including donors and United Nations agencies.

Format of the side-event. The side-event recognised those leaders and individuals who have had an impact on the work of IDA over the past 20 years, through an award ceremony delivering plaques.

The individuals and organisations listed below received recognition plaques for their contributions made to the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities

  • Yannis Vardakastanis
  • Colin Allen, AM
  • Gidion Mandesi
  • William Rowland
  • Jan-Peter Stromgren
  • Maryanne Diamond, AO
  • Diane Richler
  • Stefan Tromel
  • Alex Cote
  • Catalina Devandes
  • Amina Mohammed
  • Rosangela Berman-Bieler
  • International Disability and Development Consortium
  • Sightsavers
  • Humanity and Inclusion
  • CBM International
  • Disabled Persons Organisation Denmark (DPOD)
  • Atlas Alliance
  • Action on Disability and Development International
  • Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency
  • Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
  • United Kingdom Department for International Development
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland
  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

Colin Allen AM, President World Federation of the Deaf

Mr Colin Allen, the WFD President

Diane Richler, Previous Chair of the International Disability Alliance

Diane Richler, previous Chair of the International Disability Alliance

Liisa Kauppinen

Liisa Kauppinen, previous Chair of the International Disability Alliance

Maryanne Diamond, AO

It has been a privilege to have played a role in the 20 years of IDA. From the work to: develop the CRPD, support to people with disability across the world to implement and report on the CRPD, leading civil society in the development of the SDGs are examples of the success when the global disability movement comes together and works towards change and the creation of an inclusive community.

Jan-Peter Stromgren

For me it is three things that I will remember with my engagement in IDA:

  1. The first thing was when IFHOH (International Federation of Hard of Hearing people) decided to try to become a member of IDA which was happening in year 2005 and I was attending an IDA-meeting in NY.
  2. Through our membership in IDA it was possible for us to work for Hard of Hearing peoples needs in the construction of the convention.
  3. The third was when I as president of IFHOH got the opportunity to be incoming chair and after that chair of IDA 2009-2010. During this period, we were successful in finding new financing of IDA.

Catalina Devandas, Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

Catalina Devandas, Special Rapporteur for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

United Kingdom Department for International Development

Penny Innes, United Kingdom Department for International Development

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Nina Nordström, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia

Mika Kontiainen Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia

Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Disability inclusion, like gender equality, is a cross-cutting priority for Australia’s international engagement on human rights, development assistance and humanitarian action. Central to Australia’s approach to disability inclusion is supporting DPOs in developing countries to build their capacity so they can give voice to people with disabilities at all levels and contribute as leaders and decision makers in their communities. By supporting DPO capacity building, and building meaningful partnerships with DPOs including the International Disability Alliance, Australia is better able to access the views and perspectives of people with disabilities, thereby enhancing the quality and effectiveness of Australian development assistance and our international advocacy.

Christian Blind Mission (CBM)

David Bainbridge, Christian Blind Mission (CBM)

David Bainbridge, CBM International

CBM congratulates IDA for their enormous achievements in promoting the voice and representation of persons with disabilities, which is so foundational to all matters related to development and humanitarian action because of the CRPD. The successful adoption of the 2030 Agenda and its references to persons with disabilities and the subsequent progress by development and humanitarian actors on inclusion, are all a testament to the leadership that IDA has given over the past decade. Working with DPOs is at the core of CBM’s mandate and we consider this critical to all of the work we do. We deeply value IDA’s strong partnership approach and we look forward to continued advancement of disability rights as the SDGs and the CRPD continue to be implemented. The mantra of nothing about us without us that emerged from CRPD negotiations remains as important today as it was over 20 years ago.

International Disability and Development Consortium

International Disability and Development Consortium

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit

Cornelia Henriksson, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (BMZ), Germany

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)

The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) has been a longstanding partner to the International Disability Alliance. The partnership has developed throughout the years and Sida is honored to have been partnering with IDA during these years. IDAs work has been instrumental in many global processes in promoting and including the rights of persons with disability in the international development agenda. IDA has been, and still is an important organization in promoting the human rights of persons living with different disabilities, and Sida is proud to partner with such an organization.

Rosangela Berman-Bieler

Rosangela Berman-Bieler, UNICEF

Sightsavers

Gertrude Fefoame, Sightsavers

The individuals and organisations listed below received certificates for their contributions made to the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities

  • Ambassador Luis Gallegos
  • Don MacKay
  • Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations
  • Ambassador Georgi Velikov Panayotov, Mission of the Republic of Bulgaria to the United Nations
  • Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations
  • Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations
  • Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations
  • Disability Rights Fund
  • The National Lottery Fund
  • Javier Güemes Pedraza
  • Theresia Degener
  • Maria Soledad Cisternas Reyes
  • Ron McCallum
  • Mohammed Al-Tarawne

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations

I thank the IDA for its recognition of my Mission's efforts for the advancement of rights of persons with disabilities. I would also like to deliver my heartfelt congratulations on the 20th year of IDA. Indeed IDA has played a pivotal role in promoting and protecting rights of persons with disabilities for the last two decades. Ambassador Park, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the UN, June 2019.

Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

Congratulations for IDA's 20th anniversary! Two decades go by fast! Congratulations for the achievements of these truly fruitful years.  Mexico is honored and proud to partner with IDA. It's been an adventurous journey for all of us. The important strides taken could not have happened without Civil Society's partnership, advocacy, and innovative thinking. We look forward to continue to build upon the experience gained to advance the rights of persons with disabilities, and to strengthen our response to existing and emerging challenges. Thank you so much for your kind words, and for certificate of recognition. We renew our commitment to our shared goals and values. Official letter from the Mission.

Ron McCallum

I wholeheartedly commend the outstanding work of the International Disability Alliance. During my time as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from 2009 to 2014, the International Disability Alliance gave detailed information on reporting countries. This information enabled the Committee to produce Concluding Observations which set forth the necessary steps to be taken to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. Emeritus Professor Ron McCallum AO. Australia.

Mohammed Al-Tarawne

I have been honored by the International Disability Alliance ( IDA) to be awarded the certificate of recognition. I have been acquainted with IDA for so many  years and I heartily thank them for all the hard work supporting disability movements at global level. I will always salute IDA for all there support to the CRPD Committee since its inspection and especially when i was the inaugural chair of the committee back in 2009. IDA made possible to set the core documents of the committee and continued its support through out the year. My special regards to all previous and current colleagues of IDA as i will always remain grateful and extend all my expertise in all my capacities to continue support IDA missions not only in the disability field, but in all Human Rights issues that IDA  is carrying on its shoulders. Sukram (thank you) IDA.

Ambassador Georgi Velikov Panayotov, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the UN

First, allow me to express how deeply honoured and privileged I feel for being considered for your recognition. Here, I find it suitable to extend my appreciation to the work of the International Disability Alliance for a certificate’s worth is only determined by the entity awarding it. In this case, IDA’s assessment of our efforts – and specifically your personal valuation – is what humbles me the most. I would like to congratulate you on the Alliance’s 20th Anniversary. I am surprised how little time it has taken for the Alliance to forge its global reputation. Your contribution to human rights and the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities is remarkable and worth admiration. Regarding the role of Bulgaria for the strengthening of the rights of persons with disabilities, I would like to assure you that our strong commitment for inclusive society is at the top of our agenda. In this regard, I would like to mention that the last couple of months we have been engaged with the Steering Committee on Accessibility which is to present its recommendations this week. Last, thank you again for your support to the UN human rights agenda and for contributing to the advancement of the rights of persons with disabilities. Your personal role is without parallel.

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