MEETING GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
Expected Results
An estimated 25 to 30 participants from the Arab region, exclusive of host country
participants, will exchange views, knowledge and experiences, develop new skills and gain
improved understanding of norms and standards related to disability, of the context and
structure of the proposed comprehensive and integrated convention on promotion and
protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, and of rights based approaches to
development. The exchanges will contribute to establishment of networks to
promote the sharing of knowledge and experience on development-based approaches to the
advancement of persons with disabilities in the Arab region and contribute to improved
cooperation in capacity building for development approaches to advancement of persons with
disabilities.
On the basis of the substantive exchanges and group work, meeting participants will
formulate (a) a strategic planning framework to guide further action on elaboration of a
seventh international instrument related to the rights of persons with disability, and (b)
a strategic plan for preparation of training and resource materials and for building
national capacities and institutions for development approaches to advancement of persons
with disabilities appropriate to countries of the Arab region.
Meeting participants will gain new insights and understanding of both the barriers and
enabling factors to full and effective participation of persons with disability in social
life and development. Meeting findings and recommendations will enable participants
better to present the case for and make specific contributions to the question of context
and content of national policy options and the proposed seventh international instrument
on the rights of persons with disabilities.
Meeting preparations, proceedings and results will be published in accessible formats
making appropriate use of Internet-enabled technologies, which is expected to contribute
to dialogue and creation of networks to exchange knowledge and experience related to
disability in the Arab region
Meeting goal
The project seeks to contribute to the promotion of awareness and support for a seventh
international human rights instrument that would address the promotion and protect of the
rights of persons with disabilities and would further thereby equalization of
opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The project goal relates to General Assembly resolution 56/168 and the consideration of
elements for a comprehensive and integral international convention to promote and protect
the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The goal statement also draws
upon progress in implementing Assembly resolution 52/82, on priorities for action in the
equalization of opportunities for persons with disabilities, and subsequent resolutions of
the Assembly on the question[1] and takes
into account findings and recommendations contained in “monitoring reports” of
the Special Rapporteur on Disability of the Commission for Social Development on progress
in implementing the Standard Rules and issues associated with elaboration of a new
international convention on the rights of persons with disability.[2]
Project immediate objectives
(a) Knowledge and experience on norms and standards related to disability in the
context of development promoted and key issues and trends in the Arab region exchanged and
key issues and trends identified and assessed. The project will provide a forum for
exchanges of knowledge and experience among governmental officials, academics as well as
representatives of the non-governmental community and the private sector on issues and
trends in international norms and standards related to disability, rights based approaches
to development and capacity building for the advancement of persons with disabilities in
the mainstream.
(b) Priorities for strategic planning and for national capacity building in the Arab
region identified. The intensive exchanges and group work are expected to
result in identification of (1) a strategic planning framework to further rights-based
approaches to development by, for and with persons with disabilities in the Arab region
and (2) scheme for preparation of training and resource materials to build national
capacities for rights based approaches to development appropriate to countries of the Arab
region.
(c) Substantive contributions to policy dialogue on norms and standards related to
disability produced on the light of selected experiences of countries in the Arab region.
The outcome of the Arab regional meeting will inform the work of the Ad Hoc
Committee established pursuant to General Assembly resolution 56/168 with regard to
substantive aspects of the context and content of the proposed seventh international
convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. The meeting outcome will
contribute substantively to efforts of Governments as well as civil society to promote
full participation and equality of persons with disabilities in social life and
development.
(d) National capacities to promote rights based approaches to development among
interested countries of the Arab region strengthened. The Arab regional meeting will
involve participants in their individual capacity, with emphasis on participants who have
knowledge or personal experience with disability, from the region. The project will
aim to involve country participation teams, which would include a participant with
knowledge and expertise in norms and standards related to disability, and a participant
with knowledge and expertise in independent living or in promoting sustainable
livelihoods. While participants would gain new knowledge through technical exchanges
and group work on formulating a framework for strategic action to further rights based
approaches to development in the region, participants also would acquire increased
understanding of strategies and approaches to promote public awareness, negotiate
practical measures and further implement norms and standards related to the rights of
persons with disabilities in the context of development.
(e) Civil society is informed and engaged in the promotion of rights based approaches
to development and participation of persons with disabilities in the mainstream. To
ensure open access and promote awareness of the Arab regional meeting and provide
opportunities for civil society input, the project will be based on accessible Internet
technologies to promote a dialogue on norms and standards related to disability and
development-based approaches to advancement of persons with disabilities.
Notes:
[1] General Assembly resolution 54/121 of
17 December 1999 and 56/115 of 19 December 2001.
[2] General Assembly document A/52/56;
Commission for Social Development documents E/CN.5/2000/3 and E/CN.5/2002/4, respectively.
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