In partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations

Behind the promise of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) lies the assumption that human societies function best when everyone participates. Nevertheless, some deeply marginalized groups are being left out of efforts to fully implement the commitments of the Convention.

Are there groups of vulnerable people, such as people with psychosocial and developmental disabilities, being systematically left behind in the struggle for voice, space, and place in society? How do the intersecting elements of gender, race, and region affect this exclusion? What strategies and means can be used to increase and strengthen efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals for all?

On June 13, 2018, a panel of change agents shared perspectives from the Global North and Global South and highlighted the work that remains before everyone has a seat the table. Together we must continue to raise our voices to hold fast to the commitment that no one is left behind in the implementation of the CRPD.

For more information about the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, visit the UN’s website.

Organizer

Keystone Human Services International
Charles J. Hooker, III, President and CEO

Sponsors

Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations
The Hans Foundation
International Disability Alliance
YAI

Panelists

Carolina Popovici
Counsellor
Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations

Dr. Ludmila Malcoci
Executive Director of Keystone Moldova
Regional Director for Keystone Human Services, Central and Eastern Europe

Reginald Redish
Self Advocate

Tom Ott
Social Worker, YAI

Nidhi Goyal
Disability Rights and Gender Justice Activist
Founder and Director of Rising Flame

Moitreyee Sinha
CEO of citiesRISE, a global multi-stakeholder initiative on mental health

Jane Akinyi
Self Advocate

Sue Swenson
President-Elect of Inclusion International

Moderator

Genevieve Fitzgibbon
Deputy Director, Keystone Human Services International