European Network Independent Living 9 th Freedom Drive

1. European Network Independent Living 9th Freedom Drive Workshop : “SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS & INDEPENDENT LIVING” 2October 2019 Brussels Nadia Hadad Board member European Network on Independent Living - ENIL

2. What is the Agenda 2030? The 2030 Agenda is a political commitment of the governments of all 193 Member States of the United Nations to: • build a better future for all people, including millions who are currently denied the chance to lead decent, dignified and rewarding lives and to achieve their full human potential; • succeeding in ending poverty, reducing inequalities, and saving the planet from ecological degradation and climate change The 2030 Agenda is a 35-page document containing five sections (Preamble, Declaration, Sustainable Development Goals and targets, Means of implementation and the Global Partnership, Follow-up and Review)

3. What are the Sustainable Development Goals? The SDGs were created to guide all countries to achieve sustainable development by 2030: Universal 17 Goals 169 targets GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production GOAL 13: Climate Action GOAL 14: Life Below Water GOAL 15: Life on Land GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal • GOAL 1: No Poverty • GOAL 2: Zero Hunger • GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being • GOAL 4: Quality Education • GOAL 5: Gender Equality • GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation • GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy • GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth • GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

4. What with The CRPD in Europe • All the 28 Member States of the European Union (EU) have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD). • The EU ratified the CRPD in December 2010, making it the first human rights treaty to ever have been ratified by a regional organisation, like the European Union. • The EU has also an European Disability Strategy 2010-2020. We are negotiating for a new one. • The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) does not have a disability strategylike in Asia the Incheon Strategy 2013–2022 does. • The UN ECE also follows the implementation of the SDGs in the region.

5. Persons with disabilities in the SDGs • Strong inclusion of persons with disabilities in the agenda 2030 with 19 specific references in the SDGs • “Leave no one behind” motto • Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities: recognized as major group in the UN system,Role to advocate with a unified voice on all issues related to the rights of persons with disabilities within al the UN processes • SDGs three pillars: social, economic, and environmental are interlinked and inseparable, must be translated into national policies and programs. • SDGs require governments to take a holistic approach to development: transversal inter-ministerial collaboration to foster intersection. • Persons with disabilities need to be included and mainstreamed into other thematic areas, such as employment, infrastructure, disaster risk reduction,…

6. What is the link with the UN CRPD? • Similarly to the CRPD, the SDGs have to be integrated in laws, policies, budgets • The CRPD focuses on disability, the SDGs mainstream the human rights of persons with disabilities • Actors of the SDGs: not “just the disability movement” but all stakeholders • Only three goals that do not have some specific links to articles within the CRPD (12: consumption, 14: life below water and 15: life on land) • The SDGs are a roadmap/platform to implement the CPRD and vice-versa! • The SDGs and the CRPD have to be used together! • The implementation of the SDGs, bring more data for the CRPD • The SDGs are a political framework, while the CRPD is a legally binding document guiding governments on how to achieve the SDGs for persons with disabilities • Up to DPOs and allies to provide the connection and synergy between the CRPD and SDGs to ensure persons with disabilities are included

7. What is the impact of the SDGs on our work? • The SDGs is a powerful tool and a clear roadmap to eradicate poverty, reduce inequality and save the planet. • Governments, private sectors, civil society organizations, donors have started to align to the SDGs. • It is where funding have started to be allocated; • It is how CSO and DPOs can hold governments to account, in addition to human rights frameworks.

10. Practical actions to realize inclusive SDGs: 1. Getting involved in the Voluntary National Review • The Voluntary National Review (VNR): • It’s a follow-up and review mechanism to monitor SDG implementation that countries present at the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) to track the progress • DPOs opportunity to share their feedback, analyses and recommendations of their government’s progress (or lack thereof) on the inclusion (or exclusion) of persons with disabilities in the implementation of the SDGs to achieve all the Goals for all, • B) How can DPOs participate in national consultations? • Work together with other DPOs on a joint SDGs advocacy strategy • Build a coalition with mainstream Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) such as youth and women’s groups / movements in the community • Use social networks and media to promote the joint advocacy paper • Identify and connect with the UN agencies SDGs and Disability focal points at country level to push for the inclusion into the programs, policies and projects of agencies, • Mapping of Government focal points • Approach government to advocate and contribute views on SDGs achievements

11. Practical actions to realize inclusive SDGs: 2. Getting involved at regional level • Theregional sustainable development forums: • The forums are hosted by the five UN regional bodies • Persons with disabilities can participate, present, write documents and co-organize events at these forums. They learn from others, build partnerships and networks, and address region-specific issues. • But usually they do it through their constituency. • All the forums are guided by and connect to the annual theme of the HLPF. • B) DPO Objective: • DPOs are recommended to use regional forums for intensive networking, sharing experiences from the national level and conducting bilateral meetings with governments. • DPOs at the regional level often have the opportunity to input into the regional SDGs and disability plans, and to raise attention to disability issues to create an impact

12. Practical actions to realize inclusive SDGs: 3. Getting involved during the global review at HLPF • The government’s report presentations during the HLPF: • Civil society can ask questions and challenge governments • Issues raised during these global presentations receive significant international and national attention, which increases political pressure to implement the SDGs • The content of reports provide civil society actors with an opportunity to continue dialogue at the national level and to ensure that contributions of all are included within the development of national policies. • B) DPO Objective: • DPOs can bring at global level national topics related to persons with disabilities • The global review reflects only a fraction of the issues from the national level, the national DPO contribution is critical to ensure that governments become aware of the gaps and potential of achieving the SDGs for persons with disabilities. • Most important: the contribution of messages from the national to the global level and subsequent reintegration of global outcomes into national advocacy.

13. Practical actions to realize inclusive SDGs: 3. Getting involved during the global review at HLPF • C) How to participate in the global process at The HLPF during VNR: • Engage with the Stakeholder Group of Persons with Disabilities • Apply for UN Funding (CRPD listserv) • Attending the High-level Political Forum • Engagement in the VNR: • - Writing shadow or alternative reports, • - Challenging all the obstacles, (limited time, lack of opportunities for input) • - Understanding the process is an opportunities for further engagement toenforce the advocacy focus at the national level. • - Implementing the SDGs can mobilize international and reconstruct domestic resources creating opportunities to implement and • carry out the CRPD. • Participate in other activities at the HLPF

14. Practical actions to realize inclusive SDGs: 4. Following up the HLPF with national government • The civil society, including DPOs, to remind political leaders that this is not a one-time obligation, but should be an ongoing permanent dialogue • The participation of DPOs in the entire VNR process and global reporting mechanism is to enable persons with disabilities • to enforce and broaden their advocacy efforts • with their governments at the national level and • create a periodic dialogue. • To initiate and participate in the follow-up process • To continue writing alternative or shadow reports • as a good record for DPOs and governments • to monitor the progress over time and • assess how gaps were or were not addressed.

15. Challenges around the SDGs? • In the EU: • The SDGs are little implemented and followed-up by the EC. • Not yet integrated in policies but creation of a EU-SDGs set of indicators with 15 references to disability • Creation of a EC Multi-Stakeholder platform, no representative of the disability movement elected. • B) National Level: It is up to each country to integrate the SDGs in their policies • C) For DPOs: • Little capacity from DPOs to follow up as the SDGs represent a whole new dialogue with organisations we are not used to work with (environment, private sector, etc) • DPOs usually focus on the CRPD implementation and monitoring. • More awareness and capacity-building is needed to showcase that the two frameworks should be used together, with no duplication of efforts. • Up to DPOs and allies to provide the connection and synergy between the CRPD and the SDGs to ensure persons with disabilities are included

16. Opportunities to implement disability-inclusive SDGs? • The implementation of the CRPD and SDGs should be systematically designed and carried out in partnership with organisations of persons with disabilities • Adequate funding for capacity building and technical assistance for organisations of persons with disabilities should be provided • The next European disability strategy should be part of a boarder strategy to implement the SDGs and the CRPD at EU level • Adequate financial resources should be secured in the next EU budget for social inclusion and the fight against poverty

17. Recommendations for a stronger VRN • Ensure civil society, including DPOs, are involved in the preparation of the VNR. • Start the consultation with the civil society early, already in September the year beforeto guarantee the process is transparent, constructive and inclusive. • Include a dedicated section on leaving no one behind in the VNR to highlight the status and situation of vulnerable groups in relation to the SDGs, such as persons with disabilities. • Include a dedicated section on data, outlining all efforts and measures to ensure the full disaggregation of data by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts. • Include a statistical annex with disaggregated data, in order to assess the status of specific groups in relation to the goals, targets and indicators. • Include stakeholder representatives, including persons with disabilities, in the country’s delegation and VNR presentation at the HLPF.

18. Recommendations for a stronger HLPF • Provides a platform for parallel or ‘shadow reports’ on country-level implementation similar to the Human Rights Council as well as the Committee of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ sessions. • Open up the side-event space to civil society. For example, only around 20% of the official slots for side events were granted to civil society, whereas one full day was dedicated to a closed business forum. • Provide a real opportunity for civil society to respond and dialogue with countries after the VNRs presentations. For instance, 3 minutes to represent all civil society in one statement is not long enough and not constructive enough. • Achieve a systematic gender-balance for each session and require it when Member States. For instance, some panels were only constituted of men with a woman moderating

19. Climate change & Disability The effects of climate change such as storms, rising sea levels, and drought – can often push people to find new homes in safer, more stable climates. This “climate migration” can happen for several reasons. Some include: • Being displaced by natural disasters (i.e. evacuating ahead of a hurricane or leaving a town after it is destroyed by forest fires) and never returning home. • Leaving areas with few resources needed for survival, such as limited food or water in regions affected by drought. • Abandoning areas experiencing chronic flooding due to rising oceans. This is especially relevant in low-lying coastal areas such as southern Florida and Bangladesh, or on islands close to sea level. • Climate-related factors can sometimes lead to violence – for example, through conflict over limited water resources or arable land during drought. If individuals try to escape this conflict and become refugees, they could be considered “climate refugees” to some extent. • Climate-related migration can either be “internal” (within a country) or “external” (between countries). An example of internal migration is farmers leaving rural areas for cities when crops are affected by climate change; in fact, this was often the case in Syria, which some experts consider a factor that contributed to violent conflict and the Syrian civil war. External migration is expected to be a coming problem in Bangladesh, a country in South Asia almost entirely within a few meters of sea-level. Its 163 million residents may be displaced as the oceans rise, and as the country is surrounded by other nations (India and Myanmar/Burma), Bangladeshis will likely face legal or other barriers as they try to migrate to escape flooded land. • According to the International Organization on Migration, there will likely be upwards of 100 million “climate migrants” in the coming decades – and that number may reach nearly 1 billion by 2050 under the worst circumstances

20. Climate change & Disability Climate-related factors can sometimes lead to violence – for example, through conflict over limited water resources or arable land during drought. If individuals try to escape this conflict and become refugees, they could be considered “climate refugees” to some extent. • Climate-related migration can either be “internal” (within a country) or “external” (between countries). • An example of internal migration is farmers leaving rural areas for cities when crops are affected by climate change; in fact, this was often the case in Syria, which some experts consider a factor that contributed to violent conflict and the Syrian civil war. • External migration is expected to be a coming problem in Bangladesh, a country in South Asia almost entirely within a few meters of sea-level. Its 163 million residents may be displaced as the oceans rise, and as the country is surrounded by other nations (India and Myanmar/Burma), Bangladeshis will likely face legal or other barriers as they try to migrate to escape flooded land.

21. The convincing reasons: Over 650 million persons around the world having a disability Their extended families and network gives easily two billion people daily live with disabilities. They often live on the margins of society, deprivedof some of life’s fundamental experiences. The world’s largest and most disadvantaged minority. 20 % of the world’s poorest persons are disabled. 80% of them lives in development countries. According to the International Organization on Migration, there will likely be upwards of 100 million “climate migrants” in the coming decades – and that number may reach nearly 1 billion by 2050 under the worst circumstances →The result of ignorance and neglect that is reinforced in government and development policies and programmes that ignore, exclude, are not accessible to or do not support the rights of persons with disabilities to be included in the socio-economic life of the country. Realizing the rights of persons with disabilities

22. The UN CRPD:Art 32International cooperation The Convention obliges States parties to cooperate with other States and/or with relevant international and regional organizations and civil society in: • Building capacity, including through the exchange and sharing of information, experiences, training programmes and best practices • Research programmes and facilitating access to scientific knowledge • Technical and economic assistance, including facilitating the use of accessible and assistive technologies

23. The UN CRPD Article 11: Situations of risk and humanitarian emergencies States Parties shall take, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, all necessary measures • to ensure the protection and safety of persons with disabilities • in situations of risk, • including situations of armed conflict, • humanitarian emergencies and • the occurrence of natural disasters Disasters could include wildfire, floods, extreme weather temperatures, earthquakes, tornados and other major disruptions. Sometimes there are warnings, but not always. In some disasters people are required to evacuate,

24. The importance of involving the DPO’S Article 4.3: “In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to PwD, States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organizations.” “Nothing about us without us!” - Self-determination - Self-representation - Choice and Control - Experience expertise

25. CHALLANGES toimplementthe UN CRPD • Problems • Translation of concepts • Need of legislation change – HR legislation • Meaning of Independent Living • Lack of funding for the implementation (monitoring bodies) Convention in our work • Cuts = situation going backwards • Article 19 and institutions: Choice of where to live With whom • PA – people with intellectual impairment living at home • Highest level of unemployment • Lowest level of education • Worse health conditions

26. RecommendationstoimplementtheUN CRPD in EU and member states • Transmit key information on the CPRD, etc (via newsletters, or at events) • Campaigning on the human rights of PwD in society • Informing PwD on their rights • Establish and promote an accessible control mechanism • Investigating individual complaints • Creating EU resolutions in order to implement the CRPD • Making enquiries into the rights of persons with disabilities & Including persons with disabilities into general enquiries

27. RecommendationstoimplementtheUN CRPD in EU and member states • Role of the ombudsman of EU is different in relation to the CRPD depending on national context • Contact the Ombudsman and communicate about what the DPOs do • Transmit individual cases of discrimination • Inform Ombudsman about existing discriminatory practices • Participate on request in the work of the Ombudsman, in trainings, conferences, legislative reviews, etc • Keep Ombudsman informed when sending important letters to Ministries on issues of discrimination towards persons with disabilities, • Ensure that information from the Ombudsman is disseminated throughout our networks and directly to members

28. The sources used and important links: • WHO – World Bank publications; • International disability Alliance; • International Disability & Development Consertium;; • SDGs watch; • www.enable.org; • http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRPD/Pages/CRPDIndex.aspx; • CRPD -- Handbook for parliamentarians – State reports • www.enil.eu; • www.mhe-sme.org; • www.edf.eu; • www.fra.europe.eu; • http://www.disabilityaction.org

29. Thank you for your attention & see you in the movement!www.enil.eu ENIL Brussels Office at Mundo J, Rue de l’Industrie 10, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Tel: 0032 (0)2 893 25 83