ABAPD Sent a Delegate to 6th World Assembly

of

Disabled Peoples' International (DPI)

Mr. Leslie A. Emanuel represented persons with disabilities and Antigua and Barbuda at the Sixth World Assembly of Disabled Peoples' International from October 15-18, 2002.  As a Member of the DPI World Council, Mr. Emanuel attended the Council Meetings held on Oct. 13-14 and Oct. 20-21, 2002.

During the Workshop on Independent Living, Mr. Emanuel presented an abstract on "Independent Living in Developing Countries."

The DPI Sixth World Assembly, which is held every four years, created another unique opportunity for hundreds of persons with disabilities from around the world to come together.  We discussed and shared information about critical issues affecting disabled individuals and our communities.  Participants raised important issues, made recommendations, assessed models of empowerment and exchanged ideas.

Held under the theme "Freedom from Barriers: Celebrating Diversity and Rights!", the Assembly provided a forum for:

  1. Discussion on the need for a United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons to promote and protect human rights of all disabled persons.  A resolution was adopted to create such a convention.  Click here to learn more.

  2. Government Officials, UN representatives and civil society to have a dialogue with national and international disability leaders;

  3. DPI's World Assemblies to share information and contribute to the international community with their rich experiences;

  4. Increased disability awareness in Japan, the Asia and Pacific region and worldwide.

Disabled Peoples' International 's goals to achieve the protection and promotion of human rights of disabled persons, and equality, lies in the firm belief that true socio-economic development and social change, cannot happen without the input of all members of society, including disabled persons.  DPI had delegates from its cross-disability network in over 135 countries.

The Assembly was attended by some 3700 persons with disabilities from around the world!!

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