The UK Government, in partnership with the Government of Kenya and the International Disability Alliance (IDA), will host the first high-level global disability summit on July 24, 2018, at the Olympic Park in London, to galvanize global efforts to address disability inclusion around the world.
Globally, an estimated one billion people have a disability, of which 800 million live in developing countries. In these countries, disability is both a cause and consequence of poverty and people often face significant barriers that prevent them from participating fully in society, including getting a quality education and employment.
DFID’s ambition is to make the Global Disability Summit a world-first and a landmark celebration the achievements and rights of people with disabilities, and one that creates an enduring impact and lasting change for people with disabilities around the world.
The objectives of the summit are to raise global attention and focus on a neglected area, bring in new voices and approaches to broaden engagement,
mobilize new global and national commitments on disability, and showcase best practice and evidence from across the world.
What will happen at the Global Disability Summit?
The summit, which takes place on 24 July at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, is built around major commitments to be made around four major themes (dignity and respect for all, inclusive education, economic empowerment and technology & innovation) and includes additional cross-cutting and strategic spotlight sessions.
The programme is supported by a vibrant combination of marketplace exhibits, music, and film – with leaders, speakers and activists with disabilities at its heart.
The Summit follows its sister event on the 23 July at the same venue: the Civil Society Forum. This event, hosted by the International Disability Alliance, is a one-day event to which all invitees to the summit will also be invited. The purpose of the Forum is to amplify the voice and participation of persons with disabilities in the outcomes of the Summit, through their individual participation and that of representative organizations (DPOs).
Original source: Devdiscourse
Published on 22 July 2018
