[PDFlist] Message of the CEO - Pacific Disability Forum

[RMI Disability Coordinator]

Dear Samuela,

Greetings from the Republic of the Marshall Islands. I want to thank you
for sharing this great message to commemorate the International days of
Persons with Disabilities.

Cheers,

*Janet N. Schmidt *
*Manager, Disability Coordination Office *

*Ministry of Culture and Internal Affairs RMI *

On Tue, Dec 3, 2024 at 12:33 PM Samuela Radakua <
Samuela.Radakua at pacificdisability.org> wrote:

>
>
>
>
> *Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) Response to Australia’s International
> Disability Equity and Rights Strategy (IDEARS)*
>
> *3rd December 2024*
>
>
>
> In its message to commemorate the International Day of Persons with
> Disabilities, the Pacific Disability Forum expresses its strong support for
> the recent launch of Australia’s International Disability Equity and Rights
> Strategy (IDEARS).
>
>
>
> On November 28, 2024, the IDEARS was officially launched in Canberra’s
> Federal Parliament House by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and
> Australian Minister for International Development and the Pacific Pat
> Conroy MP, and Minister Amanda Rishworth, Minister for Social Services.
> The event was attended by over one hundred distinguished guests including many
> Disability Champions and Ambassadors from Australia and neighbouring
> countries. Among those present was Ms. Sainimili Tawake, Chief Executive
> Officer of the Pacific Disability Forum (PDF) who says, ‘Through this
> Strategy, the Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to
> advancing disability rights as fundamental human rights, addressing
> discrimination and exclusion at all levels of society.’
>
>
>
> Ms Tawake emphasised that the Strategy highlights the importance of bringing
> focused efforts to disability equity and rights and recognising the needs
> to meet essential preconditions to enable inclusion of people with
> disabilities in all their diversity. Ms Tawake added that the strategy
> underscores Australia’s dedication to international collaboration and to ensuring
> that disability rights principles are integrated into broader development
> agendas on the regional and global levels.
>
>
>
> The Strategy shows a strong commitment to ensuring persons with
> disabilities and their representative organisations are included in all
> aspects of international cooperation. Ms Tawake says ‘Moreover this
> Strategy shows the Australian Government has taken on board strong advocacy
> calls around the need to provide appropriate support to the disability
> movement to enable their participation, such as core funding, capacity
> building, partnerships and leadership opportunities. PDF looks forward to
> working with the Australian Government on the shaping and delivery of these
> commitments and initiatives.’
>
> PDF acknowledges the Australian Government for its global leadership in
> developing this transformative strategy and is particularly encouraged by the
> Strategy’s focus on the Pacific region, and significant investment of $12
> million for assistive technology.
>
>
>
> Ms Tawake concluded that while it is a time to celebrate, eyes must also
> be set on the Strategy’s set of disability equity performance targets for
> its international development program. These aim for 60 percent of all of
> Australia’s international aid and humanitarian programming to be
> performing effectively on disability equity by 2026. This target will
> increase to 70 percent by 2030. These benchmarks are designed to hold the
> program accountable and ensure that it actively contributes to improving
> the lives of individuals with disabilities.  PDF stands ready to support
> Australia in the rollout of the strategy.
>
> For more information, please email to: info at pacificdisability.org
>
>
>
> End.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> PDFlist mailing list
> PDFlist at lists.pacificdisability.org
>
> http://lists.pacificdisability.org/mailman/listinfo/pdflist_lists.pacificdisability.org
>
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