Presentations from II Regional Forum for Families in Johannesburg, South Africa on 2-3 March, 2011

Inclusion International held a regional forum for families and self-advocates “Transforming Rights into Action: Africa in Focus” on 2-3 March in Johannesburg, South Africa. The forum was organised in collaboration with Inclusion Africa, Disabled Children’s Action Group, Down Syndrome South Africa and the Norwegian Association for Persons with Developmental Disabilities.

This is one of the five regional events held by II  in the next two years to identify and raise awareness of the issues impacting the social, economic and political exclusion of people with intellectual disabilities from their communities. The main objective is to promote the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities and support the work of its member organizations and other organizations of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families in implementing the changes required. All information, documents and tools generated in these forums, will contribute to Inclusion International’s global strategy to promote the Convention.Representatives from over 16 countries from all regions of Africaparticipated as well as  invited guest speakers such as Ms Edah Maina, a members of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, participated in the event.

Opening Ceremony
- Dr. Gessesse Tadesse, President, Inclusion Africa
- Klaus Lachwitz, President, Inclusion International
- Mbusi Nzimande, Chair Person, Disabled Children’s Action Group
- Vanessa dos Santos, National Executive Director, Down Syndrome South Africa
- Quincy Mwiya, Self advocate representative Inclusion Africa
- Edah Maina, Vice-President of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The UN Convention as a Tool for Development –
Edah Maina, Vice-President UN Committee on The Rights of persons with Disabilities (Kenya)

The Importance of the UN Convention for Families

Vanessa dos Santos, National Executive Director DSSA(South Africa)

The Role of Families/Family Support – Preamble of the Convention
(Facilitator Dr. Gessesse Tadesse, President Inclusion Africa, Ethiopia)

- Working with Families – Experiences from Colombia
Ines Escallon, Parent Leader (Colombia/Canada)
- The importance of Support to Families
Sandra Ambrose, National Coordinator DICAG (South Africa)
- Awareness Raising and Mobilization in Local Communities
Mirriam Namanja, Executive Director, PODCAM (Malawi)

Promoting Inclusive Education in Africa – Article 24
(Facilitator Ivar Stokkereit, Legal Advisor NFU, Norway)

- Implementing Inclusive Education in South Africa
Thabisile Levin, Development Consultant and Therapist (South Africa)
- Working with Families – Experiences from Zanzibar
Fauzia Haji/ Ahmed Haji (Zanzibar)
- Global Report on Education
Ines Escallon (Canada/Colombia)

Day Two – March 3, 2011

Equal Recognition Before the Law – The Implementation of Article 12 on Legal Capacity
(Facilitator Eyong Mbuen, MDAC, Cameroon)

- Article 12 – An overview
Klaus Lachwitz, President of Inclusion International (Germany)
- The Challenge of Implementing Legal Capacity – Examples from Africa
Eyong Mbuen, Mental Disability Advocacy Centre (Cameroon)
- Legal Capacity and Supported Decision Making
Edah Maina, Vice-President UN Committee on The Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Kenya)
- From a Self Advocates Perspective
Ephraim Mohlokane, Board Member of Down Syndrome South Africa (South Africa)

The Right to Live and Being Included in the Community – How Inclusion Creates Better Communities for Everybody – Article 19
(Facilitator Ines Escallon, Parent Leader, Colombia/Canada)

- An Introduction to Article 19
Ines Escallon (Colombia)

- My Right to an Independent Life/What Does It Mean to be Included in the Community?

Ephraim Mohlokane, Board Member of Down Syndrome South Africa (South Africa) andQuincy Mwiya , Board Member of Inclusion Africa (Zambia)

Closing
- Introducing Inclusion International’s Strategic Plan
Manuela Rorfeldt, Inclusion International (Sweden/UK)

- Closing Remarks
Klaus Lachwitz, President, Inclusion International
Dr. Gessesse Tadesse, President, Inclusion Africa