Summit of the future Declaration, Our joy
Towards summit of the future summit in New York, knowing we would not be able to attend, Our Executive Director made a clarion call on the world leaders: starting from United Nations Secretary –General Antonio Guterres and other national leaders who would be attending to pay critical attention to issue of Disability and inclusion.
Having gone through the agenda and we saw far reaching decisions were to be made on several issues, our call was focused on disability and inclusion. On Sunday September 22, 2024, a declaration and pact, 66-page document was released. Some of the decisions, commitments that have significant value for disability and inclusion are highlighted below. This we believe if executed will ensure a future for all
The need for full and equal participation of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, from decision-making processes to the workplace.
-A strong commitment to making digital technologies accessible and affordable for everyone. If executed it will ensure no one is left behind in the digital age.
-A decision was made to increase investments in assistive technologies, empowerment of people with disabilities and a commitment to ensure they thrive independently in the society.
-There is a commitment to have a special focus on youth with disabilities, continually equip them with the tools, resources, and opportunities which can lead to a fulfilled life for them.
The message is clear: inclusion and accessibility are not optional—they are essential for a sustainable, equitable future.
Reading through the pages, we are glad to see the whole world moving towards a future where everyone has a voice, and no one is left behind.
We do hope these will move from paper documents into action. Cheers to the disability and inclusion community. But at the national and local levels, we all have a duty to put pressures on every actor to accelerate action towards realizations of commitment made,