WATCH |
World Down Syndrome Day was marked at the United Nations during an event on the sidelines of the CRPD Session.
Self-advocates with Down Syndrome spoke out and explain what #InclusionMeans to them.
An event organized by Down Syndrome International, with the support of the International Disability Alliance, and the Permanent Missions of Brazil, Israel and the United Kingdom to the United Nations in Geneva
Date: Monday, 21 March, 2021 – 14.00
Intervention by Amb. Meirav Eilon Shahar
Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN
At the outset, I would like to welcome you to this online
event to mark World Down Syndrome Day in Geneva. Today, we all join to mark
this important day.
I would like to thank Down Syndrome International for
organizing it, as well as for inviting us all to join efforts once again. I take
this opportunity to thank all our partners, the Permanent Missions of UK,
Brazil and the International Disability Alliance, for the commitment and effort
put in the preparation of today´s meeting.
In this regard, Resolution 66/149, while designating this
day, affirmed that “ensuring and promoting the full realization of all human
rights and fundamental freedoms for all persons with disabilities is critical
to achieving internationally agreed development goals” and recognized “the
inherent dignity, worth and valuable contributions of persons with intellectual
disabilities as promoters of the well-being and diversity of their
communities”.
However, today’s event bring a key concept that is absent
from the resolution: inclusion. This word does not appear in the resolution,
and that is why this event is even more important.
Soon we will hear directly from self-advocates what
inclusion means for them.
It may not mean the same to each one of us, but there can be
no doubt that persons with down syndrome should be included, and thus, each one
of us should learn from them, and work together to make that a reality.
I would like to present an example of what we have done
recently.
The Shalva National Center, is an amazing institution in
Israel. One of its more important projects is the Shalva Band, who is composed
by persons with disabilities, including Tal and Yair who are two talented musicians
with Down syndrome. They have promoted a strong message of inclusion and they
have been internationally recognized, including by featuring during Eurovision.
We had the pleasure to partner with them recently for an
amazing project. Israel promoted a resolution on the highest standard of health
for persons with disabilities at the World Health Assembly. So, when we wanted
to raise awareness on this important decision, together with the World Health
Organization, we invited the Shalva Band to play at an official regional
meeting, where they performed a moving song. In this context, Shalva’s
President said “We feel honored to demonstrate the incredible power of
inclusion through Shalva Band which is one of our most famous inclusion
programs, inspired millions around the world and moved countless of people to
tears”. We cannot agree more.
Israel believes in the power of inclusion, not only as an
end but as means. When promoting inclusion, we will benefit at every step of
the way.
I am sure that today we will hear inspiring testimonies and
we will take with us these voices and promote them here in Geneva.
Thank you.