IDDC

IDDC members participate in high-level Forum on a ‘pro poor’ post-MDG agenda, Brussels 23 June 2009

Ahead of the 2010 review of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), thinking has begun on what will happen after 2015 when the MDGs are meant to have been achieved. Yesterday in Brussels, a conference was organised to identify the strengths, weaknesses and values of the MDG agenda.

This is being done in order to begin to look at what kind of shape post-MDGs development agenda should take. 3 IDDC members attended the conference and participated in the discussions to underline the need for inclusion of persons with disabilities in all development processes, especially those specifically designed to be pro-poor. The invisibility of persons with disabilities in current development processes despite commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities continues. IDDC member Sightsavers International also contributed a think-piece for the day’s discussions.

During the discussions, questions were raised about the lack of equality related indicators in monitoring achievement of the MDGs. These would be of significant help in ensuring persons with disabilities were included in action on the MDGs.

With the support of the Millennium Campaign, IDDC of course continues to campaign for the need to include persons with disabilities in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals between now and 2015.