Pioneering Emirati experiences coinciding with the "International Day of Persons with Disabilities" and a commitment to collective work to continue development efforts
Abu Dhabi, 07 December 2023 – The Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) in collaboration with the Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Ministry of Community Development held an event to commemorate the International Day for People with Disabilities under the title ‘Beyond Barriers: Rights, Futures and the Lived Experiences of Persons with Disabilities in the UAE and Beyond’.
This event is part of a series of discussions organized by the PCHR and AGDA, addressing various topics related to the importance of human rights, and highlighting the significant and important progress achieved by the country in this regard.
Effective collaboration
Such platforms represent an opportunity to enhance cooperation for various government entities, especially the PCHR and stakeholders working on this agenda, to further their strategic objectives and exchanging expertise and knowledge, leading to more fruitful partnerships.
This event aimed to contribute to empowering people of determination and inform the community about their rights, which are guaranteed by the law and strategic policies launched by the UAE in an effort to enhance their role and societal influence, while reflecting the rich values of the UAE, which are based on establishing justice, equality and respect for human rights.
For the PCHR, it was an opportunity to highlight the importance of POD rights as central to the human rights agenda and to reiterate the UAE’s commitment to fulfil its obligations towards the Convention on Rights of People with Disabilities. The UAE ensures that people of determination are considered equals, and any form of discrimination against them is prohibited. The UAE ensures that people of determination are guaranteed access to education, adequate housing suited to their needs, healthcare, and employment to ensure that they can live independently.
A pioneering model
For her part, Alia Al Mulla, Director of the Strategy and Future Department and representative of the Ministry of Community Development in the PCHR, said, “The UAE today is considered a pioneer in many files related to human rights, especially with regards to the rights of people of determination.”
She added: "The Ministry of Community Development goes beyond its basic obligations towards people of determination to achieve full and effective empowerment for this important societal group." In this context, the Ministry has consistently launched various strategic policies and programs to change stereotypes of people of determination, creating success stories and empowering them in various ways.
Alia Al Mulla pointed out: “People of determination are not only beneficiaries of the Ministry’s services, but they are also essential partners in its development, and the UAE has not and will not hesitate to make every possible effort to ensure the achievement of equality and full respect for the dignity of every individual, regardless of their challenges.”
Community Integration
A number of participants in the session stressed the importance of integrating and empowering people of determination in all aspects and activities of Emirati society. Dr. Muna Alhammadi Assistant Professor at Zayed University stressed on the need to build a cadre of professionals equipped to deliver services to people of determination, while Abdulla Bin Dhaher Entrepreneur, Visually Impaired, talked about the need to still address social stigma. Fatma Al Jassim Disability Inclusion and Accessibility Activist stressed on the right to participation and indicated that government efforts are creating more opportunities in this regard, with the aim of empowering them and enhancing their role and influence.
Large attendance
Dr. Victor Pineda Founder and President of World Enabled, commended the UAE on its achievements in this space and indicated that progress remains quite uneven in different parts of the world. He also stressed that disability rights can become an area of collaboration on a national and global level.
The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, the UN Resident Coordinator and other UN representatives in the UAE, members of the PCHR, civil society, and students. In addition to a large number of people of determination.