Global decision-making disparity highlighted at ‘Equal World?’ film premiere

During a panel discussion at the ‘Equal World?’ film premiere in New York, young people with disabilities took to the stage to highlight the imbalance in global decision-making and to ask decision-makers what they were doing about it.

The ‘Equal World?’ film follows disability advocate Abia Akram as she platforms the voices of three young people with disabilities to show their daily lives and talk about what is needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an inclusive society.

Watch the ‘Equal World?’ film below (21 minutes)

During the film Abia talks to Basiru, a law student and experienced disability rights campaigner from Sierra Leone. Basiru joined Abia in New York, participating in the panel discussion and other dialogues during the Summit of the Future.

Abia also talked to Tapiwa from Zimbabwe, a passionate athlete and disability advocate with cerebral palsy. Tapiwa coaches young people in Harare, both in sport and general life skills, while continually pushing for his own athletic achievements. He’s adapted his coaching skills and national advocacy work to speak passionately on the global stage, presenting at a UN ECOSOC youth forum side event and the UN civil society event in Nairobi.

Finally, Abia met social activist Taqwa from the rural Punjab region. Together they explore the pressing issues facing young people with disabilities in Pakistan’s rural areas. Taqwa discusses her work in grassroots organisations in her local community and how she’s taking her advocacy work onto the global stage.

These intimate portraits of young campaigners allow the audience invaluable insight into why young people with disabilities are essential partners in getting the SDGs back on track.

The panel discussion

The panel discussion was attended by Dr Felipe Paullier, the Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs at the United Nations, Ms Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Government of Sierra Leone; Mr Michael Gaffey, Director General of the Development Cooperation and Africa Division, Irish Aid; Dr Caroline Harper, CEO of Sightsavers; Sylvain Obedi, Youth Fellow, International Disability Alliance; Basiru Bah, Equal World Global Youth Champions (Sierra Leone); Maria José Carranza, Youth Disability Rights Advocate (Guatemala) and James Casserly, Equal World Global Youth Champion (Ireland).

There was an emotive response to the film from the high-level guests and donors, and a desire to continue to find ways to push the theme forward.

Following the Q&A, there was an opportunity to reinforce existing relationships with key partners and connect with primary and secondary campaign audiences. Attendees included representatives from missions, ministry representatives, UN agencies, youth delegates from missions in New York, media, representatives from various members of the Major Group.