Øystein:
When it comes to the Global Disability Summit, this is, in fact, the second-ever disability summit to take place. And I think, I’d say, Joyce, it needs to go further than the first one did. Actually, in 2018 lots of commitments were made, but not necessarily enough progress after the summit. So, we’d like the 2022 summit to result in some concrete, properly-funded commitments. Would you agree, Joyce?

Joyce:
Yeah, I agree with you. As you may know, in 2018, about 300 organisations and governments signed the Global Disability Charter for Change, encouraging the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. So, this summit will be an opportunity to review and to celebrate the progress made towards disability-inclusive development. And it will to continue to advocate for a better world where persons with disabilities are meaningfully included in all areas of life.

It’s going to also throw a spotlight on issues of disability inclusion and create the opportunity for governments to make bold commitments towards disability inclusion.

Øystein:
Why is the summit important? What changes would we like to see?

Joyce:
This summit is going to throw more light on the issues of disability inclusion and what I would like to see is a reaffirmation and an increase in the commitments and investments in disability-inclusive development. This time around, we are saying: actions speak louder. In as much as governments are making the commitments, we would like to see them taking action as well.

Øystein:
I wonder, Joyce, how do you think countries and organisations can work together to ensure that commitments are actually being made at the summit and then being actioned?

Joyce:
I think as part of the post-Global Disability Summit processes, organisations of persons with disabilities should be strengthened and also given the opportunity for greater collaboration with governments. And governments must see organisations of persons with disabilities as a force that influences and monitors actions for disability-inclusive development.

And they should be able to work together to find an effective follow-up mechanism to monitor the implementation of commitments being made. They can also work together when governments ensure that persons with disabilities and the organisations that represent them are always at the table and meaningfully consulted when taking actions based on the commitments, so that the views of persons with disabilities are heard.

Øystein:
From your point or perspective, what message on disability inclusion do you think needs to be heard by these global leaders and stakeholders?

Joyce:
So, I would say that the global COVID-19 pandemic has shown us more than ever that in one way or the other, we are all connected. So, it has also highlighted the devastating inequalities faced by persons with disabilities.

Global leaders must do more to include people with disabilities in development. They shouldn’t be an afterthought. In the response and recovery to the crisis, leaders need to make sure that no one is being left behind.