Heading to the Global Disability Summit 2025 in Berlin
From April 2 to 3, 2025, the Global Disability Summit (GDS) took place in Berlin, a crucial moment to discuss global progress in the inclusion of people with disabilities. For Liliane Fonds, this is an opportunity to further strengthen our mission of equal rights and opportunities for children with disabilities worldwide.
This international platform brings together policymakers, civil society organizations, and people with disabilities to work on improving the lives of people with disabilities and to set action points for the future.
Our role at the Global Disability Summit
Our participation in the summit allows us to:
- Call on governments to involve young people and children with disabilities in policy-making.
- Advocate for more resources and innovative approaches to the inclusion of children with disabilities.
- Collaborate with other organizations and governments to find practical solutions to the challenges faced by children with disabilities worldwide.
- Ensure the voices of children and young people with disabilities are heard in policy decisions, as they are key actors in determining the solutions that benefit them. In this regard, we are supporting a deaf youth from Rwanda, Eric Ngabonziz, to participate in the conference, so that his voice can be heard. Want to hear directly from Eric? Read the interview we had with him.
Call to action
Together with the Child Rights Task Group of the International Disability and Development Consortium (IDDC), a coalition of NGOs working on the rights of people with disabilities, we developed a call for the participation of children and youth with disabilities, specifically for the GDS.
Read the call HERE.
Civil Society Forum – panelist: Liliane Fonds
Before the summit, a Civil Society Forum was organized on 1 April, featuring various thematic panel discussions. Our lobby and advocacy lead Lisanne van der Steeg participated in the panel on youth and children, representing Liliane Fonds and IDDC.
Interview with youth Ambassador Eric
In preparation for the GDS, we conducted an interview with Make Way Youth panelist Eric Ngabonziza, the youth who will join us in Berlin. This interview highlights the importance of the voices of young people with disabilities in decision-making processes.
Why the GDS is important for our mission
The summit focused on themes that we actively advocate for every day:
1, Improving living conditions
The GDS emphasizes that the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) is a binding obligation for countries, which is essential for the rights of children and youth with disabilities. We support the summit’s call for policy changes that improve the opportunities of these children worldwide.
2, Disability-inclusive development
The GDS aims to bridge the gap between disability inclusion and development cooperation. This aligns with our approach to fully include children with disabilities in education, health, and employment.
3, National responsibility and partnerships
The summit highlights the importance of national responsibility and strengthening partnerships between governments and civil society organizations. We work with local partners to support legislation and plans that implement the UN CPRD.
4, The importance of data and evidence
The GDS emphasizes the need for reliable data on disabilities. This aligns with our work to use data to improve interventions and develop effective programs for children with disabilities.
5, Nothing about us without Us
The GDS is co-organised by the International Disability Alliance, an organisation advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. The priorities of the GDS are based on consultations with organizations for people with disabilities. This highlights the importance of working with organizations led by people with disabilities, as well as with young people with disabilities. We collaborate with disability organisations within our partner network.
Look forward to our contribution at GDS 2025
The GDS offers a unique opportunity to make global progress in the fight for the rights of people with disabilities. Liliane Fonds strengthens its role as an advocate for equal opportunities for children and youth with disabilities by actively participating in this important event.
Read on to learn more about the importance of participation. Click here for more information.