With the theme, “Advancing Disability Rights and Inclusive Development through Convergence”, the CBM Global Philippines hosted the first-ever conference of organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) and partners held at Bayview Park Hotel, Manila on November 27-29, 2023.
The OPD & Partners Conference showcased CBM Global Philippines’ various disability-inclusive development, humanitarian, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, community mental health, inclusive eye health programs and projects implemented in selected regions in the Philippines. It also presented the OPDs’ good practices in their areas of advocacies.
The 3-day conference covered sessions: project presentation on the gains from inclusion, building from lessons learned from field programs and projects; sharing of good practices specifically on enabling persons with disabilities as agents of change; updates on the country’s disability movement initiatives; and building consensus on Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) Report/Commitment and Partnership with UNCRPD.
Two research presentations were also made during the conference. The first one was on the impact of climate change on persons with disability in Bicol Region presented by Simon of Cyrene organization. The second one was on the impact of climate change on persons with disabilities in Laoang, Northern Samar, by Life Haven Center for Independent Living, Inc.
The event also provided opportunities for partnerships and networking among participants and for all members of CBM Global’s Country Advisory Panel (CAP) to have a broader perspective of the organization’s current and future programs.
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