New toolkit to make the Sustainable Development Goals inclusive

A new toolkit has been developed by CBM and the International Disability Alliance as a guide on how persons with disabilities can engage in advocacy to make the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) inclusive.

This toolkit is an exploratory and interactive tool for organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) on the monitoring mechanisms of SDG implementation, called Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). The toolkit aims to provide step-by-step guidance, ideas, suggestions and templates for building successful advocacy campaigns and strategies to participate in the monitoring mechanisms of the SDGs.

As background, VNRs are national SDG implementation strategies that facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The VNRs also seek to strengthen government policies and institutions and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs.

Engaging in the VNRs is important for persons with disabilities because it provides an opportunity to communicate advocacy requests and interests on the implementation of the SDGs. Participation also builds ownership of the 2030 Agenda, and therefore contributes to a whole-of-society approach to the implementation of the SDGs including the most marginalized groups in society, including persons with disabilities.