27 September 2016 – Padang, West Sumatra.

In collaboration with UNESCO and ILO, the Padang City Government is hosting the Sixth High Level Meeting of Mayors for Inclusive Cities. The High Level meeting is part UNESCO’s efforts to help reinforce and expand the “Network of Inclusive Cities”: a coalition of municipalities from across Indonesia committed to creating inclusive physical, social and economic environments for persons with disabilities.

During the meeting, the Government of Padang City – a new member of the growing network – signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UNESCO on Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities, which marked the start of collaboration between both parties to address the needs and promote the rights of person with disabilities residing in the city.

Several municipalities from around Indonesia are participating the meeting including Ambon, Metro, Yogyakarta, Tanjung Balai, Surabaya, Banda Aceh, Sungai Penuh, Tangerang Selatan, Tanjung Pinang, Sijunjung, and Pariaman. The representatives of disabled peoples’ organizations (DPOs) are also taking active part, including PPDI, PPDI Padang, PPDI Sumatera Barat, PPDI Banda Aceh, PPDI Mojokerto, HWDI Ambon, and HWDI Banjarmasin. 

The Mayor of Padang, Mr. Mahyeldi Ansharullah, presented his government’s initiatives to fulfil and protect the rights of persons with disabilities in across sectors, such as education and employment. He also highlighted that Padang city will officially open its first disability-friendly area in Jalan Permindo, Padang, on 30 September 2016, as a model for the re-design of the other parts of the city in the future.

Dr. Shahbaz Khan, Director and Representative of UNESCO Office Jakarta highlighted in his opening speech the ongoing cooperation between UNESCO, ILO and WHO in the framework of “United Nations Partnership for Promoting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD)” project in Indonesia, launched to assist the government and the civil society in the realization of UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 

Following the High Level Meeting, the representatives of city governments and DPOs will get down to business to discuss ways to bring real change to their communities. The 2-day capacity-building workshop brings together the representatives of 15 Indonesian city governments and members of DPOs for exchange of ideas and joint capacity-building on best practices in promoting inclusive employment and accessibility of infrastructure, transportation, and technology for persons with disabilities.

The adoption of the National Law No.8/2016 on Persons with Disabilities signifies that the Indonesian government is serious about its commitment to   fulfil and to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. This commitment must be translated into action on a local level, including the cities of Indonesia, where millions of persons with disabilities reside. This is the key objective of the UNPRPD project – to meet the capacity-building needs of policymakers and civil society working on improving the life of those living with disabilities in Indonesia. 

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For more information contact: 

Ms. Rheizka Aulia

Social  and Human Sciences UNESCO Jakarta  

Email: r.aulia(at)unesco.org

Phone: 081290377328