Putting the World to Rights launched

Ireland should ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as soon as possible, if it is to deliver real support to people with disabilities in the developing world.

That was the key message emerging this evening (06.10.08) at the launch of a new International Service Ireland initiative, ‘Putting the World to Rights’.

Speaking at the launch, Aidan Leavy, Director of International Service Ireland, said: “The UN Convention entered into force earlier this year, and is the first Convention to enshrine the rights of people with disabilities in international law. The Government has yet to ratify it.  The Convention is an important channel through which people with disabilities can safeguard their rights, so the sooner it is ratified by Ireland, the better for people with disabilities here and in developing countries.”

Mr. Leavy said International Service Ireland’s new Putting the World to Rights’initiative aims to increase awareness about the Convention and disability issues in the developing world. 

The initiative is a partnership between International Service Ireland, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency.  As part of the initiative, International Service Ireland will host a series of seminars throughout Ireland over the coming months with local organisations from the disability and community and voluntary sectors. 

“To complement the regional seminars, we have developed a lively illustrated publication that highlights the successes, challenges and needs of people that we work with in Burkina Faso , Bolivia and Brazil,” said Aidan Leavy. 

“The real-life stories of people with disabilities, using their own words, show how the rights in the UN Convention can help to bring about crucial change in their lives.  We hope that the publication will encourage Irish people to get involved.  It’s not always about money. There are loads of things you can do – for example, becoming an on-line volunteer or twinning your club or group with a disability organization abroad can lead to a really useful exchange of skills and ideas.”

Mr. Leavy cited Cavan County Council as an example of how Irish people can improve the lives of people with disabilities in the developing world.

“Through its Staff Foreign Aid Development Fund, Cavan County Council has contributed to small projects in West Africa that will help over 150 people with disabilities to start their own businesses in the hope of increasing family incomes and standards of living,” he said.  “This is a clear example of how local organisations can play a role in helping to alleviate poverty for the world’s poorest people.”

This evening’s launch was also addressed by Michel Youma from the town of Fada N’Gourma in Burkina Faso, a poor landlocked country in West Africa. Mr. Youma, who has a physical disability, founded an association for people with disabilities in order to promote their integration into local community life.  Nearly half the population of Burkina Faso lives in extreme poverty, earning less than $1 a day. One in eight people in Burkina Faso has a disability, and is at far greater risk of poverty than non-disabled people.

“The support we get from countries like Ireland helps us to become more confident in ourselves and become more active citizens,” said Mr. Youma.  “The support we get from development workers like Irishwoman Vicky Harris helps us to upgrade our management skills and know-how, so that we can help our members to have a better standard of living. As a person with a disability myself, I am delighted to be here in Ireland to highlight the challenges people with disabilities face on a daily basis in West Africa.”

The Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power TD, officially launched the ‘Putting the World to Rights’ initiative at this evening’s event.  

“People with disabilities are more vulnerable to poverty and the effects of being poor,” said Minister Power.  “Poverty increases the risk of becoming disabled through unsafe living environments, under-nutrition, lack of access to immunisation and treatment, and exposure to landmines.

“One of Irish Aid’s priorities is the elimination of poverty and exclusion, in particular through support for marginalised and vulnerable groups. If we are serious about reaching the Millennium Development Goals, we need to properly deal with disability and disability issues, including prevention.”

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Putting the World to Rights (816.96KB)