With the CRPD, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, we have promised to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity.
But how do we do it?
I have spend the past five days discussing how the Nordic countries are working with legislation and the practical implementation of the CRPD.
How to secure independent living? How can projects such as the Norwegian Alle Med! help create jobs for people with intellectual disabilities and maybe inspire a more inclusive labour market. And how do we secure lifelong learning for all, including tertiary education for persons with intellectual disabilities, VID – vitenskapelige høgskole is working to make an education focused on human rights and participation for that particular target group.
And of course #Ukraine was on everyone’s mind. The CRPD states that we should take all necessary measures to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities in situations of risk, including situations of armed conflict, humanitarian emergencies and the occurrence of natural disasters. And yet Ukrainian persons with disabilities are in far too many cases left behind these days. And we are lacking in our general humanitarian efforts and emergency plans.
Taking the time to become inspired, to learn something new and maybe even give something back is important. It is days such as these that will help us fulfill our visions and to create new dreams.
