1. Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Development Cooperation Training course Brussels, 29 th & 30 th November 2012 Module 3: The CRPD as a key driver for inclusive development

2. Module 3 The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) www.un.org/disabilities

3. Overview The CRPD as a key driver for inclusive development: Background of the CPRD and underlying principles The CRPD and development – case studies

4. What is the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)? A set of 50 Articles which came into force on 3 May 2008 after 20 ratifications outlining comprehensive rights people with disabilities should receive. The CRPD was adopted on 13 December 2006 at the United Nations, and opened for signature on 30 March 2007. The CRPD sets out the legal obligations on States to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Currently (November 2012) it has been ratified by 126 countries – 76 with an optional protocol - and signed by 154 countries (a statement of intent on the process to ratification).

5. Why is the CRPD significant? It is the first comprehensive human rights treaty of the 21st century and the first human rights convention to be open for signature by regional integration organisations. It is the single most important development to take place in the disability field for decades. It does not contain new rights as it essentially collates what exists in other Conventions.

6. Why is the CRPD significant? Particular points of significance:  - Speed of process: it was negotiated during eight sessions of an Ad Hoc Committee of the UN General Assembly from 2002 to 2006, making it the fastest negotiated human rights treaty in the UN’s history  - Involvement of people with disabilities (Article 4.3) which helped ensure centrality of social model/human-rights basis  - “push” from developing countries  - “user-friendly” as a document  - Article 32 – will return to later

7. Principles the CRPD is based on Article 3: general principles underlying CRPD:- Respect for inherent dignity, individual autonomy including the freedom to make one's own choices, and independence of persons; Non-discrimination; Full and effective participation and inclusion in society; Respect for difference and acceptance of persons with disabilities as part of human diversity and humanity; Equality of opportunity; Accessibility; Equality between men and women; Respect for the evolving capacities of children with disabilities and respect for the right of children with disabilities to preserve their identities.

8. Principles the CRPD is based on Some articles to highlight:- Article 4.3 – already mentioned. Consult with people with disabilities (including children) through their representative organisations; Article 6 – (women) and Article 7 (children) – recognises what World Disability Report in 2011 confirmed about multiple discrimination on some groups; Article 11 – humanitarian emergencies; Article 24 (education), 25 (health), 27 (employment); Article 28 – living standards and social protection; Article 32 – international cooperation.

9. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 32 - International cooperation 1. States Parties recognise the importance of international cooperation and its promotion, in support of national efforts for the realisation of the purpose and objectives of the present Convention, and will undertake appropriate and effective measures in this regard, between and among States and, as appropriate, in partnership with relevant international and regional organisations and civil society, in particular organisations of persons with disabilities. Such measures could include, inter alia: (a) Ensuring that international cooperation, including international development programmes, is inclusive of and accessible to persons with disabilities; (b) Facilitating and supporting capacity-building, including through the exchange and sharing of information, experiences, training programmes and best practices; (c) Facilitating cooperation in research and access to scientific and technical knowledge; (d) Providing, as appropriate, technical and economic assistance, including by facilitating access to and sharing of accessible and assistive technologies, and through the transfer of technologies. 2. The provisions of this article are without prejudice to the obligations of each State Party to fulfil its obligations under the present Convention.

10. UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 32 - International cooperation Article 32 means States Parties who have ratified have a duty to evaluate their development aid programmes according to its articles and principles. As a minimum it means aid programmes should not reinforce the isolation of people with disabilities (e.g. by building inaccessible schools) and should facilitate inclusion. The CRPD has been ratified by the European Commission representing the institutions of the European Union (see article 44) - the Commission controls the single largest development aid budget in the world (Article 44). Article 32 is therefore applicable in all its development cooperation work.

11. Application of the CRPD: Case study examples

12. Discussion: Sharing examples of CRPD implementation