Governments must take decisive action on disability-inclusive international cooperation
We live in difficult times. The global landscape of international cooperation is under significant strain due to cuts in Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Assistance, the rise of anti-diversity and exclusionary narratives, and a shrinking civil society space.
Impact of roll-back on aid commitments and inclusion initiatives
Disability-inclusive programmes are now being lost. Budget cuts and changes of focus are leading to reduced funding for essential programmes and initiatives that support persons with disabilities, exacerbating existing inequalities, exclusion and marginalisation. Local organisations of persons with disabilities that are working towards locally owned and sustainable solutions are also in danger. Millions of persons with disabilities, who are among the most marginalised in society, may be further deprived of assistance from both their governments and international development and humanitarian organisations. This puts the gains made on disability inclusion in recent years at immediate risk.
Civil Society will hold the line on human rights and inclusion
As
a CSO network comprising a diverse membership—including INGOs, organisations of
persons with disabilities, national networks, and international member-based
networks— IDDC remains committed to its collective objective of promoting
inclusive international development and humanitarian action in line with the
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Sustainable
Development Goals.
Governments must lead on disability inclusion.
We urge governments to take immediate and sustained action to ensure that disability inclusion remains a priority in international cooperation:
- Assert publicly—and with actionable steps—your commitment to disability inclusion. The upcoming Global Disability Summit provides an immediate opportunity for this.
- Advocate for disability inclusion and rights in upcoming multilateral fora.
- Safeguard funding for disability inclusion in development and humanitarian programmes.
- Integrate disability inclusion in all programmes and policies, and provide guidance and training to staff and programme implementers on disability rights
- Sustain your support to civil society organisations, and organisations of persons with disabilities, in their roles of advocating for and implementing disability inclusion
We need each other to create a future where no one is left behind!