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Launch of EC funded project 'Making Development Inclusive'

: © IDDC / Hannah Nicholls
Speakers on the panel during the discussion on disability and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). From left: Madhizhagan Mohan (CBM), Alf Svensson (MEP - EPP), Imtiaz Mohammed (Leonard Cheshire Disability) and Carlotta Besozzi (Director, European Disability Forum)

CBM is taking part in the International Disability and Development Consortiums (IDDC) project 'Making Development Inclusive', financed by the European Commission. The project aims to build the capacity of the IDDC to support governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

At the official project launch, held on June 22 at the European Parliament in Brussels, Madhizhagan Mohan, CBM South Asia, was part of a panel of speakers who tackled the issue of Inclusive Milenium Development Goals (MDGs).

The project and speakers

The project was launched with a debate on disability and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Participants included Madhizhagan Mohan (Inclusive Development Officer, CBM South Asia), Carlotta Besozzi (Director, European Disability Forum) and Anton Jensen (Disability Focal Person, DG Development). The multi-stakeholer panel discussion was moderated by Imtiaz Mohammed (Leonard Cheshire Disability).

EU role during September MDG Review Summit

Much of the discussion focused on the lead up to the MDG Review Summit to be held in New York in September, and the role that the European Union (EU) could play in ensuring that disability was represented as a cross cutting issue.

Mr. Svensson emphasised that disability impacts on each of the goals, and without including persons with disabilities the MDGs will not be achieved. He also highlighted where disability is mentioned in the EU’s Action Plan on achieving the MDGs.

History, dangers and future EU action points

©IDDC / Hannah Nicholls: Madhizhagan Mohan (CBM)

During the panel discussion, participants shared experiences of influencing policy to ensure that disability is represented in mainstream development processes. Anton Jensen described the history of action on disability and development in the Commission, and recommended that the Commission Guidelines on disability be reviewed with respect to the ratification by the EU of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

CBM's Madhizhagan Mohan warned participants of the dangers of persons with disabilities being left out of mainstream development processes surrounding the MDGs, predicting that even if poverty is cut by half by 2015 (Goal 1), persons with disabilities will be in the second half. After thanking the European Institutions for their work so far in raising disability and development on the European policy agenda, Mr Mohan, spoke about positive experiences that CBM has had working together with partners in India to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. He called on European stakeholders to support partner governments in ensuring that all development cooperation is inclusive of persons with disabilities and to take a strong position at the September UN MDG summit to reinforce international commitment to the MDGs and to make the MDGs inclusive.