Yesterday, December 3rd 2017, marked the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This special day was established in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The observance of the Day aims to promote a better understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities all across the world. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.
Each year a different issue/theme is highlighted. This year it was “Transformation toward sustainable and resilient society for all.” The overarching principle of this theme is to ‘leave no one behind‘ and empowers people living with a disability to be active contributors to society.
Here are the themes from the past five years:
2012: “Removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society for all”
2013: “Break Barriers, Open Doors: for an inclusive society and development for all”
2014: “Sustainable development: The promise of technology”
2015: “Inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”
2016: “Achieving 17 Goals for the future we want”
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