Conference on Nordic Development Cooperation and the Disability Dimension

Conference on Nordic Development Cooperation and the Disability Dimension
Good Practices & Challenges of Inclusion
Copenhagen, 13 November 2000

Statement by

Håvard Aagesen
Political Advisor to the Norwegian Minister of International Development

Development Cooperation and the Disability Dimension:
The challenges of inclusion

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Paralympics in Sydney have just ended. This is a good example of how persons with disabilities can meet and compete as athletes in their own right, when conditions are adapted to their needs. This is inclusion at its best.

But I hasten to say: The life conditions mirrored in the impressive performances in Sydney are far removed from the rather dire straits too many of our disabled sisters and brothers find themselves in. This is the sad reality. And this is our challenge.

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In Norway we are currently implementing the third Plan of action for persons with disabilities. These plans - or white papers - covering four years at a time, are debated in the Norwegian national assembly. The main objective of our current plan is full participation and equality for persons with disabilities. The plan thus echoes the objectives of the UN World Program of Action concerning Disabled Persons - and the Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities.

Last year we prepared and adopted a plan for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in our development cooperation. This is a commitment that the Government and the Minister of International Development take very seriously. NORAD - our bilateral aid agency - is in the process of putting words into practice.

In order to measure the extent to which disability concerns are included and reflected in sector programs, we need good, reliable indicators. This is a huge challenge - for NORAD as for other bilateral agencies.

As indeed for the multilateral organizations. We need all the advice we can get on how to sensitize these organizations to needs of disabled persons. And we need all the support we can get in activating and assisting these organizations in their practical work for the disabled. I hope tomorrow's multilateral segment of this conference will contribute to this end and bring us closer to a set of indicators applicable to the multilaterals, as well.

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When discussing inclusion, I believe human dignity is a key issue, in fact the key issue. Unfortunately, we know that in many countries disabilities are still associated with shame. We know that families too often are led to believe that the children born a little different from the rest of us are of less value - somehow less precious. We know that parents often get little or no support when they try to cope from one day to the next. We know that this can lead to exclusion, abandonment and, if life at all - a life without dignity.

This happens too often. In too many places. And this is intolerable.

It is sometimes said that inclusion is only possible in rich countries. This is not true. Inclusion starts in the hearts and in the minds. Not in thick wallets. Not in swollen bank accounts. Not in big budgets. Inclusion must find its way into the policies made by governments, by counties, by municipalities - where the decisions that shape our daily lives are made. But it starts in the hearts and in the minds. It starts with you and me. That we must never forget.

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In Norway, a white paper dealing with a Plan of Action for Human Rights will be debated in the national assembly tomorrow. The plan examines ways in which the Norwegian authorities can protect human rights - including the rights of persons with disabilities - at home and abroad.

On these often sensitive issues, we need meaningful dialogue with our partners. In Norway we have prepared a Handbook on Human Rights Assessment. We hope this manual will help improve our dialogue on the needs of the disabled, too. The handbook will shortly be available. I would be happy to see to it that all participants at this conference receive a copy, if they so wish.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Poverty reduction is the main objective of Norwegian development cooperation. Persons with disabilities are often among the poorest of the poor. In fighting poverty, disabled persons should therefore be an important target group.

In all honesty, we still do not fully appreciate the economic and social benefits of increasing the participation of persons with disabilities in society. In words, yes. But in deeds, we are not there yet. Therefore, when we listen to the voices of the poor we must make sure that the voices of the disabled can be heard among them.

We must, not least, listen to women. Malnourished mothers are more likely to give birth to children with disabilities. Women with disabilities are discriminated against on two grounds: gender and disability. Disabled women have less access to essential services such as health care, education and vocational rehabilitation. They need - and they deserve - our special attention.

Today the HIV/AIDS epidemic is one of the single most important obstacles to development. This tragedy is a reality we cannot ignore. A survey carried out in Bangladesh indicates that an incredible 96 per cent of the girls do not know how to protect themselves against HIV infection. We have to make sure that information about HIV and how it is passed on reaches everybody. To this end, we must make full use of the valuable networks established by the disabled persons and their organizations.

Voluntary organizations - providing a voice for the voiceless, or a voice that carries better - are crucially important. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the important work done by DPOs (disabled peoples' organizations) and other NGOs - and their willingness to coordinate their efforts in order to increase the impact of their support.

In the Palestinian areas, for example, the Norwegian Association of the Disabled and the Swedish organization Diakonia began collaborating almost ten years ago. Later they were joined by the Norwegian Association of the Deaf, the Swedish Save the Children and the University of Oslo. Even better, this cooperation has led to a significant amount of coordination on the Palestinian side. There are 23 local partners involved in the program and a Central National Rehabilitation Committee with 84 members has been established. This has become a textbook example of good coordination. Moreover, the twinning between local and northern NGOs has helped to build a pluralistic civil society.

In Southern Africa the Norwegian Federation of Organizations for Disabled Persons (FFO) is involved in preparing and implementing a survey on living conditions. This is an important undertaking. If we are to improve their living conditions and take account of their problems when implementing our policies, we need more precise information on the living conditions for disabled persons.

I am glad to see that experiences from Uganda - a country with which the Norwegian government agencies and the Norwegian DPOs have close collaboration - will be thoroughly presented this afternoon.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Resolutions, communiqués, plans and handbooks are fine. And they are necessary. But they do not suffice. As always, what counts is what we do. The ultimate aim of our actions being full social inclusion and human dignity for all.

Dag Hammarskjöld - the great Swedish and Nordic statesman, and UN Secretary General - once said: "The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by the indifference of others".

Well taken.

Well said.

Thank you.