MENA Regional Forum in Jordan, 26-27 March, 2012

On 26 – 27 March, 2012, Inclusion International and Inclusion Middle East and North Africa, in partnership with The Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities and The Shafallah Centre, will host a regional forum in Amman, Jordan. The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Forum “RIGHTS, GENDER, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND FAMILIES: A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD” is the fifth of five regional events hosted by Inclusion International designed to support our members to use the UN Convention as a tool for advancing their work.

II welcomes over 90 participants from 10 countries in the region and II representatives from Canada and Germany. II was honoured to have Prince Raad Bin Zeid deliver opening remarks. HRH Raad Bin Zeid stayed for the morning of presentations and joined participants for lunch. Prince Raad Bin Zeid also hosted a dinner for all of the out-of-town participants. II was also pleased to have the former special rapporteur, Sh. Hissa Al Thani deliver a keynote address on gender and ensuring equal benefit of the CRPD to all persons with disabilities. On the second day, CRPD committee member Mr. Mohammad Al Tarawneh addressed participants.

Through plenary and breakout sessions, participants engaged in a dialogue on three key themes: The role of families and self-advocates; Living and being included in the Community and Inclusive Education

The dialogue at the Forum raised regional-specific questions and debate. These issues include: defining and understanding community living in a culturally appropriate context; gender issues; and, implications of religious law. Addressing these issues is critical to advancing the rights of persons with disabilities in the region and developing CRPD implementation strategies. They are also significant for II’s Global Report on Living and Being Included in the Forum.