First Regional CBM Advisory Committee established

: © CBM
Members of the CBM Regional Advisory Committee EMR and team of Regional Office

A Regional Advisory Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has been created. It includes disability activists and experts from governmental and non-governmental organisations in the region. The members will give CBM feedback and recommendations on regional strategies and advise on regional policies and concepts.

One step forward towards promoting and practicing inclusion

The CBM Regional Office Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) invited regional key experts involved in promoting the rights of persons with disabilities to form a CBM Regional Advisory Committee EMR. The Committee will be a means for the involvement of rights holders- and partner representatives in all stages of programme development, as recommended in Article 4.3 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

HRH Prince Raad Bin Zeid officially opened the conference

©CBM: Prince Raad with Kiki Nordstroem (l.) and Tanja Kern (r.)

He expressed his appreciation for the work of CBM in the region, as well as his full support for the establishment of its Regional Advisory Committee which promotes the inclusion of the perspectives of persons with disabilities in CBM`s strategies and programmes.

Members of the CBM Regional Advisory Committee EMR are disability activists, as well as experts from different governmental and non-governmental organisations in the region. The members will give CBM feedback and recommendations on regional strategies and plans. In addition, the committee will advise on regional policies and concept development.

“Nothing about us without us!”

During the first meeting of the CBM Regional Advisory Committee EMR, the former President of the World Blind Union, Ms Kicki Nordström, elaborated on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “Governments will not freely ratify, implement or monitor the convention by themselves! We must urge them to do so! I therefore urge you to cooperate with all DPO’s in your country (…)"

"I think we could - as an international movement - become extremely powerful! Challenge your State, so that people with disabilities may experience full human rights, fundamental freedom and equal opportunities in your homeland and elsewhere. Always recall the slogan: “Nothing about us without us!”

Striving to become a fully inclusive organisation

The CBM Regional Director EMR, Ms Tanja Kern, explained “We have a lot to learn on our way to become a fully inclusive organisation. We are here to share, listen and learn from you. Let us celebrate diversity and work together for our common cause!”

The next meeting of the CBM Regional Advisory Committee EMR is planned to take place in November 2010.