April 29 – May 1, Ottawa, ON
Inclusion Canada Executive Vice-President, Krista Carr, attended the Global Action on Disability (GLAD) Network meetings in Ottawa from April 29 – May 1.
The GLAD Network, launched December 2015, is a network of donors, agencies, private sector stakeholders, and foundations that promotes the inclusion of individuals with a disability in international development and humanitarian action. GLAD members are committed to collectively enacting Article 32 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through the realization of Sustainable Development Goals that will vastly improve the lives of individuals with a disability in developing countries.
Co-hosted by Global Affairs Canada, Inclusion International, and the World Blind Union, the meetings focused on how to implement disability inclusive commitments through collaboration with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (DPOs) and holding member organizations accountable to progress. As a member organization of Inclusion International’s global federation, Inclusion Canada has committed to collaborating with the GLAD Network in the advancement of a global agenda to improve the lives of individuals with a disability. Inclusion Canada was joined by People First of Canada, the Disabled Women’s Network of Canada (DAWN), Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the International Disability Alliance (IDA), and many other stakeholders from Canada and around the world.
Over the course of the meetings, GLAD Network members heard from Inclusion International’s Executive Director Connie Laurin-Bowie, who addressed the topic of accountability and the importance of a clear vision and goals to move forward with effective advocacy in collaboration with the disability community. The Network also discussed progress in the implementation of the GLAD Strategic Plan 2018-2020 and ways of increasing the collective influencing power of members to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities on a global scale. Key themes included discussions about gender and intersectionality within disability, particularly in regard to marginalized populations.
The event was closed by Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility, Carla Qualtrough, who highlighted the progress the Government of Canada has made with respect to the proposed Accessible Canada Act, and resources that will be made available for its implementation.
Inclusion Canada is encouraged by the national and international discussions that took place at the GLAD meetings, and looks forward to further collaboration with member organizations to advance the goals of inclusion within Canada and internationally.
