Convention process continuation, communication, children and women
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilitiesi
DPI wished to congratulate Lao People's Democratic Republic on signing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities on 15 January 2008.
As of 16 January 2008 there are 14 ratifications of the Convention and 8 ratifications of the Optional Protocol. The Convention must have 20 ratifications for it to enter into force. Currently, there are 123 signatories to the Convention and 69 signatories to the Optional Protocol. Go towww.un.org/disabilities.
UN Newsletter on Disability Issues
The ENABLE Newsletter is a free service of the Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a Division for Social Policy and Development, Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) at the United Nations Secretariat in New York. It keeps readers informed on the work of the UN on disability issues. Please go tohttp://www.un.org/disabilities/default.asp?id=313
Name change
The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3 December, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982. The official title of the Day was changed from International Day of Disabled Persons to International Day of Persons with Disabilities by the General Assembly on 18 December 2007.
New Communications Project
Communication has played a key role in development for over 30 years. It has supported the delivery of services, contributed to economic growth and productivity, provided spaces for dialogue and debate among communities, and changed the way governments and citizens interact. Although many people might agree with this statement, the UK Department for International Development (DFID) have commissioned the Knowledge Sharing and Learning Project to bring together evidence to back up such a statement and to lead towards more evidence based policy making.
The evidence needs to be made accessible to policy makers in five sectors identified by DFID: Agriculture, education, health, governance and growth. For more information on the technology/portal project, please go to http://www.dcern.org/portal/project_information.as
New Independent Living project in Madrid, Spain
A new project aimed at promoting Independent Living for persons with physical disabilities is underway at the Independent Living Office (OVI) of the Community of Madrid. For more information, please contact Soledad Arnau. E-mail: coordinacion.ovi@aspaymmadrid.org
Conference
From November 14-17, 2008, up to 1,500 women's rights leaders and activists from around the world will converge on Cape Town, South Africa at the 11th AWID (Association for Women’s Rights in Development) International Forum to discuss the power of movements. AWID is an international membership organisation that works to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women's rights advocates, organizations and movements. For information go tohttp://www.awid.org/forum08/
International Summer School on Human Rights
The Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights is organizing the 19th International Summer School on Human Rights. The School will be held in Warsaw-Miedzeszyn, Poland, between 21 and 28 June 2008. The School is intended for human rights activists, university teachers and representatives of the institutions from all levels of public administration dealing with human rights issues from Central, Eastern European and CIS countries. Some financial assistance provided. For information go to http://www.hfhrpol.waw.pl/news130-en.html
New Booklet on Down Syndrome for Families
The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has created a free booklet for young people with Down's Syndrome and their families. What Kind of Future can be downloaded athttp://www.fpld.org.uk/publications/?EntryId=29215
New Report on Children
UNICEF has just released a new report on poverty titled The State of the World’s Children. The report's analysis reveals that far more needs to be done to increase access to treatment and prevention to address the devastating impact of pneumonia, diarrhoea, malaria, severe acute malnutrition and HIV. Full report available at http://www.unicef.org/sowc08/docs/sowc08.pdf
New Book on Special Education
What Really Works in Special and Inclusive Education is a book for educators of learners of special education. The author, David Mitchell, covers a range of studies that have the potential to improve the practices of teachers and schools. To purchase the book, please go to
http://www.amazon.ca/Really-Works-Special-Inclusive-Education/dp/0415369258
New Book by Disability Activist
Silvia Valori, adviser for Inclusion and Integration of Persons with Disabilities of the National Council of Women in Buenos Aires, Argentina has written a book titled Adam and the Grandfather: a Message to the World. It is available in Spanish as a free download at http://www.silviamirtavalori.com.ar/