15-22.2.2014 Mission to Moldova

The Rapporteur was invited by the British Embassy in Moldova to deliver lectures on conflict resolution based on his experiences in South Africa. He also visited UN country office in Moldova during this mission. He flew directly from New York to Moldova.

Mission to New York for making his last oral speech at the UNHQ

On 13th February between 10 am and 1 pm at New York time, the UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, Mr. Shuaib Chalklen, will be making his oral speech at the UN Headquarters in the Commission for Social Development, 52nd Session (11-21 February 2014). This is going to be his last speech during his mandate as the Rapporteur. His speech is available at http://webtv.un.org/watch/6th-meeting-commission-for-social-development-fifty-second-session/3198651816001/

26-31.1.2014 Mission to Finland

(<-- The Rapporteur exchanged opinions with Disability Diplomacy Group members. All the members are Finnish persons with disabilities.)

The Rapporteur visited Finland for attending various meetings including the one-day-seminar entitled, "Disability Inclusive Development". The seminar was the initiative of Kalle Könkkölä and was co-organised by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and FIDIDA. 50 invited guests attended the seminar from "like-minded" countries on the theme such as Nordic countries, UK, Germany, and Ireland. 

Mr. Facundo Chavez of OHCHR and the Rapporteur played significant roles in the seminar.

The agenda of the held meetings was on his initiative to establish an African Disability Forum, the new special envoy of the UN Secretary General, and obviously post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. Inequality reduction, inclusive education as well as human rights-based approach seem to be important priorities for many organisations and development agencies that attended the seminar and other meetings. 

International arena around disability rights is difficult for many to understand due to lack of relevant and timely information coming from above. Hopefully, the disability community receive enough information and opportunities to negotiate with relevant actors on the importance of disability inclusive development.