News:

COMMONWEALTH DISABLED PEOPLE’S CONFERENCE

4^TH - 7^TH NOVEMBER 2007, HOTEL AFRICANA,  KAMPALA - UGANDA

1. Introduction

The Disability Fraternity in Uganda under the leadership of NUDIPU and ADD organised an International Disabled people's Conference in the Commonwealth in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that was held in Kampala, from 4^th to 7^th November 2007 at Hotel Africana, Kampala – Uganda.

2. Who attended?

The conference was intended for leaders of Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs), Policy makers, implementers, representatives of International DPOs, Multilateral organisations and other stakeholders in the Commonwealth Countries.  

3. Theme

Promoting Disability Rights: The inclusive way of Transforming Commonwealth Societies to achieve Political, Economic and Human Development. The theme of the conference was derived from that of Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM). It connotes that without promoting disability rights, the transformation will not be inclusive of persons with disabilities.

4. Objectives 

To bring together leaders of people with disabilities and key disability stakeholders in the Commonwealth for the first time with a view to:

1. Raising awareness about the Convention on the rights of disabled persons and the need for its ratification and implementation.

2. Creating an understanding that MDGs cannot be attained in Commonwealth Countries without consciously addressing disability concerns in National development strategies.

3. Establishing a forum of disabled people in the Commonwealth.

5. The conference 

Key presentations were made by some experts on the UN Convention, its implementation, monitoring and expected results; and in the area of Inclusive development. At the end of the Conference, a memorandum containing recommendations of the Conference was prepared and subsequently presented to CHOGM. 

There was an opportunity for delegates to participate in the People’s Forum that was held at the same venue, Hotel Africana, immediately after the International Disability Conference.

For further information contact

The Chairperson

Task Force of the National Organising Committee (NOC)

P.O.Box 9658, Kampala Uganda

Telephone 256 41 531446

Fax        256 41 531447

Email:   cmmatovu@add.or.ug, cmatovu@adduganda.org   or dpc@adduganda.org