Speech by Ms. Mona K. Hider
UNDP Resident Representative, a.i.
Launch of the Project: “Towards Better Integration of Persons with Disabilities through ICT and Networking”
13 September 2006
Your Excellency, Mr. Gianfranco Giorgolo, Ambassador of Italy,
Your Excellency Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Ms. Suhair Al Ali
Your Excellency Minister of Social Development, Mr. Suleiman Tarawneh
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Allow me first to extend a warm welcome to all of you who have joined us here today to participate in the launch of the project entitled “Towards Better Integration of Persons with Disabilities through ICT and Networking” organized jointly by the Italian Embassy, AVSI and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Our project comes at the time when just a few weeks ago over 100 government delegations and hundreds of representatives of disability organizations met at the UN headquarters and finalized a new treaty that protects the rights of persons with disabilities. The clear message conveyed during the meeting was “we want to have a life with dignity for all and that all human beings are all equal”.
Proponents of the convention maintained that the treaty was necessary because persons with disabilities represented one of the most marginalized groups and that their rights had been routinely ignored or denied throughout most parts of the world.
The convention is now formally sent to the UN General Assembly for adoption at its session which started yesterday, 12 September and will then be open for signing and ratification by all countries.
Excellencies,
Esteemed guests,
It is estimated that 10 per cent of the world’s population, or about 650 million people, suffer from disabilities. It is also estimated that 5 per cent of Jordan’s population are disabled. This number of people cannot be overlooked and this is why it is important to mainstream disability issues as an integral part of development strategies and interventions.
Any attempt for human development that is not comprehensive and does not include all sectors of society will not be successful. We all should recognize the valued existing and potential contributions that can be made by persons with disabilities to the overall well-being and diversity of our communities. The promotion of the full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of their human rights, participation and fundamental freedoms will result in their enhanced sense of belonging and in significant advances in the human, social and economic development of societies.
I am proud to say that Jordan was the first nation in the Middle East to enact disability specific legislation and introduce building codes aimed at accessibility. Jordan’s law, “Welfare of People with Disabilities”, guarantees total integration and inclusion into the life of the community in a wide variety of areas, including education, employment and health care. In recognition of Jordan’s efforts to ensure the participation of persons with disabilities in the life of their societies, His Majesty King Abdullah the II, had accepted the 8th Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award in a UN ceremony in March 2005.
Nevertheless, persons with disabilities in Jordan, as realized by the National Agenda, continue to be vulnerable to marginalization. They still have limited access to education and job opportunities and have weak participation in the decision making process affecting their lives.
The project we are launching today which is a second phase of an earlier intervention aims to contribute to addressing this very challenge complementing ongoing national efforts in this area. It aims to empower disabled people through building their skills and confidence, giving access to work opportunities, raising their own knowledge of their rights, sensitizing society at large and employers specifically on disability issues, and doing so in collaboration with civil society and the private sector. The project utilizes the potential of information and communication technology in expanding opportunities of education and employment for disabled people.
This 2nd phase will mainly build on the achievements of the first project with emphasis on the sustainability of its positive results. The earlier phase aimed mainly at integrating persons with disabilities within society. It capitalized on the use of (ICT) to provide opportunities for their continuous learning through using the internet; to help them spread awareness through using media tools and to develop their capacities through ICT training.
In closing, allow me to thank all our partners, Government of Jordan, AVSI, Al Hussein Society and NGO partners for their ongoing efforts, commitment and dedication towards this project and to wish the project continued success in its implementation.
Last but not least, I would like to express warm thanks and appreciation to the Italian Government for their generous contribution and solid support to this project as well as for their continued positive cooperation with UNDP.
Thank you all