EU side event at the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP)
As the world marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), this side event will spotlight the critical role of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and broader civil society in advancing disability-inclusive policy development both within the EU and globally.
The EU has been a partner in empowering civil society to implement the CRPD, fostering targeted dialogue and ensuring meaningful participation in policy processes. This event will showcase the support OPDs receive in terms of participation, financing and space for structured dialogue, as well as the persistent challenges they face in the implementation of the CRPD.
The side-event will bring both an EU and an international perspective, drawing on the EU programmes supporting disability rights and inclusive policies worldwide. For example, OPDs regularly share their views in consultations for policy and legislative measures. They also engage in dialogue with governments and public administrations, including in decision making processes.
Disability inclusion is also increasingly integrated into the EU’s external human rights engagement. Through the EU human rights dialogues with partner countries, the EU systematically raises the rights of persons with disabilities as part of its broader human rights agenda. These dialogues provide an important channel to promote the implementation of the CRPD, encourage partner countries to engage with OPDs, and support systemic reforms towards greater inclusion and accessibility.
Through financial support programmes, the EU helps strengthen and build capacity of OPDs both internally and globally what could be useful for participation in the reporting process of the CRPD for example, providing shadow reporting on the CRPD implementation. Importantly, the EU has strengthened its approach to disability-inclusive international cooperation by monitoring the relevance of external funding on disability. This contributes to greater transparency and accountability in ensuring that EU-funded actions effectively promote the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, the EU has increasingly recognised the importance of directly supporting OPD-led initiatives in the area of humanitarian aid, to strengthen the capacity and leadership of organisations of persons with disabilities in preparedness and risk management. This marks a significant step forward in operationalising the principle of “nothing about us without us” in EU external action.
Finally, the European Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 commits to reinforce structured dialogue with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, ensure their representation in relevant political processes and consult them on relevant proposals. There is also a clear commitment to continue support of the work of organisations of persons with disabilities in the EU and in international development work. These commitments extend to the EU delegations around the world to ensure meaningful consultation of persons with disabilities, including through their representative organisations, to ensure disability inclusiveness and accessibility in matters related to external action and to provide support for the CRPD implementation.
Key Themes
- Participation and structured dialogue
- Financing and capacity building
- CRPD implementation and monitoring
- OPD leadership and representation
Speakers:
- Ms. Ana Carla Pereira, European Commission
- Ms. Ola Abualghaib, Global Disability Fund
- Ms. Catherine Naughton, European Disability Forum
- Ms. Li Andersson, European Parliament
- Ms. Esther Nagetey, Youth and Gender Adviser, International Disability Alliance, Organisation of Persons with Disabilities from Ghana
- Ms. Sif Holst, European Economic and Social Committee
- Ms. Clea Hatzistefanou-Papaellina, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare of Cyprus
- Ms. Suzanne Muir, Representative of Australia administration
- Ms. Connie Laurin-Bowie, Disability Rights Fund