Behold "Disability and Development Team" i Verdensbanken
"Disability and Development Team" i Verdensbanken har vært en viktig pådriver for å sette fokus på funksjonshemming i internasjonalt arbeid. Nå vil Verdensbanken legge seksjonen ned. Atlas-alliansen utforderer presidenten i Verdensbanken, Paul Wolfowitz, til å revurdere beslutningen og opprettholde seksjonen for funksjonshemming og utvikling.
Brev til president Paul Wolfowitz i Verdensbanken, 2. mai 2006
Dear Mr. President Wolfowitz.
The Atlas Alliance is the Norwegian Umbrella of disabled people’s organisation. Our organisation has been involved in international development cooperation targeting disabled persons in poor countries for more than 20 years.
As the World Bank is aware of, WHO estimates that there are more than 600 million disabled of which many live in developing countries. The World Bank has previously documented that there is a strong link between disability and poverty (Ann Elwan, 1999). In our struggle to eradicate poverty, we must ensure that disabled persons are included in the development process and not left out. Specific effort should be made to target disabled persons in poor countries who often have no access to basic human rights. E.g. of the world’s 150 million disabled children, we know that only 2% of children with disabilities have access to education in poor countries (UNESCO). We in the rich world, have a special responsibility to ensure that marginalized groups of disabled are included in the development process. The Disability and Development Team in the World Bank has for the last few years been an important advocate for incorporating disability within the agendas of international aid agencies.
The Atlas Alliance therefore regrets to hear that Judith Heumann and her team’s posts in the WB are not being continued. Ms. Heumann and her team are well known for being strong voices raising the agenda of disability in development. We believe that closing down the Disability and Development Team in the World Bank will give strong signals throughout the international development community that put us years back when it comes to including disability on the development agenda.
The Atlas Alliance hope that you, Mr. President, will reconsider your decision and hope to see Ms. Heumann and her competent team continuing their important work within the World Bank.
Foto: © World Bank / Nazanine Atabaki
Publisert 12.05.06
