International conference calling on inclusive employment and training for all

The Zero Project Conference 2017 took place in the UN Office in Vienna from 22 to 24 February 2017, with a theme focused on Employment, Decent Work and Vocational Education and Training. The Conference gathered around 500 experts, innovators, and policy makers in the field of disability, employment and educational from over 70 countries. The main objective of the conference was to connect invitees from many different sectors of society so that they can share and discuss ideas and concepts that really work and help support the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities worldwide. 56 Innovative Practices and 11 Policies in the field of employment, work and vocational education and training, were selected jointly with the Zero Project network of experts with and without disabilities from all over the world.

Ms. Daniela Bas, Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development (DSPD) of UNDESA made a keynote statement at the opening of the conference. She highlighted the importance of including persons with disabilities in our policies and programming, and recognize them as agents of change. She also emphasized the importance of cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships among Governments, the United Nations, academic institutions, civil society organizations and the private sector. "We must give greater weight to the the voice, skills and abilities each person with disability has." she said.

ZERO PROJECT CONFERENCE 2017 EMPLOYMENT, WORK, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING 22 – 24 February 2017, Vienna

With its entry into force in 2008, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities laid concrete legal grounds for empowering persons with disabilities. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) contains specific commitments to persons with disabilities in regard to employment, decent work, socio-economic inclusion and vocational training. Encouragingly, Governments, civil society and the private sector have been taking initiatives to promote employment among persons with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the population.

To learn more about this conference, please visit: conference.zeroproject.org

Source and Copyright: UNDESA DSPD