RIADIS in Action Issue No. 1 December 2008
RIADIS in Action: Our Newsletter
I am very pleased to announce that the Latin-American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and Their Families will be publishing an electronic newsletter, with information about the activities promoted by RIADIS and its efforts and struggles for advocacy and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities and their families, throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
RIADIS CELEBRATES SEVEN SUCCESSFUL SEMINARS ABOUT THE UN CONVENTION
From April to November of 2008, RIADIS organized and held seven seminars in seven different Latin American countries, about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. These seminars are part of a very ambitious project that is being carried out by RIADIS, which are oriented so that all the region’s countries, the national disabled people’s organizations, and other stakeholders deepen their knowledge about this treaty, and prepare plans of action for its effective implementation.
Ceremony in Memory of Gilberto Rincón Gallardo
During the development of RIADIS’ seminar about the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Mexico, between November 20-22, a ceremony was held in memory of Mr. Gilberto Rincón Gallardo, who passed away August 30. His legacy was that of a man who was always struggling against all forms of discrimination, and promoting human rights. He played a key role in the opening and development of the process that led to the UN adoption of the Convention and its Optional Protocol in December 13, 2006.
Latin America well represented In the Convention’s Committee
The first Conference of States parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities elected two well known Latin American persons to become part of the Committee: María Soledad Cisternas of Chile, and Xavier Torres of Ecuador.
RIADIS Organized International Conference On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
RIADIS organized and carried out an international conference on the rights of persons with disabilities in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, between September 8 and 10. The main purpose was to strengthen coordination and unity within the Latin American and Caribbean region. The focus was the advancement in topics such as poverty and disability, disability rights and non-discrimination related to disability. All the region’s organizations of persons with disabilities, including those affiliated to the international DPOs that are part of IDA, were invited to be part of this international conference. Other invitations were made to international NGO’s and agencies that have been interested and closely following the advancements in the disability rights area in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
Opportunities for advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in Latin America
Since December 13, 2006, persons with disabilities from all over the world have a valuable tool for the advocacy, protection and promotion of our rights. On that date, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.