Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Thank you Mr Vice President
Today I speak on behalf of Australia, Canada and my home country of New Zealand.
It is an honour to participate in this annual debate and we welcome the distinguished panelists and their contributions.
We thank the Panel for this opportunity to address the development of care and support systems to achieve community inclusion under the CRPD – a very important and practical topic in the lives of persons with disabilities.
Our countries recognise the importance of community inclusion for all people, including persons with disabilities. Adequate care and support systems for persons with disabilities are key to truly inclusive communities. More than ever, these systems are important to build forward better after the pandemic.
We welcome the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recent report on this topic. We must move away from traditional care models which perpetuates ableist views based on charity and medical approaches to disability, and to enable a focus on ensuring the inclusion, autonomy and agency of everyone.
We also agree that a rights-based approach to support and care is needed to harmonize multiple perspectives and ensure equality is kept front of mind.
When marginalised groups, like persons with disabiliites, have their rights realised, respected and fulfilled, our societies are stronger, safer and more prosperous.
This is why we must all work together, and always with persons with disability and civil society, in ensuring continued development of our care and support systems.
To the members of the panel, how can care systems of the future be more culturally responsive in providing support?
Thank you Mr Vice President