Category News
Study visit Uganda and South Sudan to the Netherlands
![A picture of two participants from the We are Able! consortium partner organisations at a learning event.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Study-visit-768x512.jpg&nocache=1)
The main objectives of the upcoming study visits are exchanging knowledge and mutual learning about how people with disabilities and local governments are overcoming barriers and are able to actively participate in public decision-making.
30 years of International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD)
![Anaka Oskar Okello, a man with a disability, has a thriving welding business in Uganda. Photo: Jaco Klamer](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/IDPD-2022-768x512.jpg&nocache=1)
On Saturday 3 December, we observe the IDPD for the 30th time. This special day was called for by the UN in 1992, because disability inclusion is an essential condition to upholding human rights, peace and sustainable development.
Committed to Changing the community, step by step
![Athanasie, a woman from the northern part of Burundi, is working in the field. Her family took the opportunity to improve their agricultural production by implementing the inclusive PIP approach in their household as part of the We are Able! programme.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/WaA-Burundi-1-768x511.jpg&nocache=1)
In many communities in Burundi, persons with a disability are often called 'ikimuga'. This word refers not to a person, but to a 'thing'. Something that is broken. This is not the case in Athanasie's family as she is committed to bring change.
Promoting disability inclusion at local level at South Korea Summit
![Left to right: Pieter Jeroense- VNG International, Mayor Ellen van Selm from Purmerend, Maria Soledad Cisternas- UN Special Envoy for Disability, Cecile Meijs- The Hague Academy, and Federico Batista- UCLG. UCLG Congress, Daejeon. Oct/2022.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/We-Are-Able-UCLG-Congress-768x504.jpg&nocache=1)
Taking away prejudices and creating awareness about the daily challenges of persons with a disability is the first, crucial step for achieving more inclusive local policies. This is what we advocated for at the United Cities and Local Governments World Congress.
Meet Bob van Dillen Consortium Coordinator We are Able!
![A picture of Bob van Dillen, the Consortium Coordinator for the We are Able! project.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Portretfoto-Bob-1-768x512.jpg&nocache=1)
In October, I started as the consortium coordinator of We are Able! I have worked for the Dutch NGO Cordaid, where I coordinated a number of advocacy trajectories, mostly on food and agriculture, migration and refugees. Prior to that I have also done advocacy at EU level, working for NGO networks, and also at the level of the United Nations.
WaA! Conference 2022: Learning And Sharing Experiences
![A group of participants from various countries during the Annual Regional Learning and Sharing event organised by the We are Able! consortium in Burundi.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WaA-Conference-20224-768x512.jpg&nocache=1)
On September 12, the annual Regional Learning and Sharing Event for the We are Able! programme took place in Burundi. From seven countries, participants came together for one week to reflect on the past year, share experiences, learn, discover and further develop plans for 2023. All with one mission: to promote disability inclusion.
World Urban Forum: Disability inclusion at the local level
![A group of participants including persons with disabilities from various organisations attending the World Urban Forum held in Katowise (Poland) from June 26-30.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/image00019-768x432.jpeg&nocache=1)
A delegation of We are Able! was present at the World Urban Forum that took place in Katowice/Poland June 26-30. This international conference was a good opportunity to increase awareness on the need for disability inclusion at different levels and to learn about inclusive governance.
‘Poverty is the issue’ – an interview with Shuaib Chalklen
![A group picture of staff from the African Disability Forum during a meeting with the coordinator of the We are Able! project in Utrecht.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Visit-Shuaib-768x641.jpg&nocache=1)
“In Africa, people with disabilities are the poorest of the poor. They happen to be disabled, but poverty is the issue.” Shuaib Chalklen, the CEO of the African Disability Forum, one of the partners of the We are Able! consortium, is deeply motivated to stand up for people with disabilities in Africa.
First consortium inspiration event in the Netherlands
![A group of participants including persons with disabilities attending the first We are Able! consortium event in Utrecht.](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_20220615_094537-768x415.jpg&nocache=1)
One year and a half into the project, the We are Able! consortium convened in Utrecht for a series of workshops and presentations. The representatives from all partner organisations reflected on the work of the past months and exchanged plans and ideas for the coming ones.
Sustainable Development Goals and disability inclusion
![A graphic representing the global goals for sustainable development. There are total 17 goals in this graphic. The goals are: 1: No Poverty; 2: Zero Hunger; 3: Good health and well-being; 4: Quality education; 5: Gender Equality; 6: Clean water and sanitation; 7: Affordable and clean energy; 8: Decent work and economic growth; 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure; 10: Reduced inequalities; 11: Sustainable cities and communities; 12: Responsible consumption and production; 13: Climate action; 14: Life below water; 15: Life on land; 16: Peace, justice amd strong institutions; 17: Partnerships for the goals](https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/webpc-passthru.php?src=https://weareable.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/the-global-goals-grid-color-768x497.png&nocache=1)
Making members of Parliament aware of the Sustainable Development Goals is one of the goals of a campaign setup by several organisations, amongst whom We are Able! partner VNGI. The delegation met with Member of Parliament Hülya Kat, who ‘adopted’ sustainable development goal 1 (no poverty) and 2 (no hunger).