On June 27, 2013, at UMUBANO HOTEL held a meeting aimed to present NCPD Strategic plan 2013-2018 and discuss the funding modalities with stakeholders working in disability movement.
In his opening speech, the President of NCPD, Mr Gastone RUSIHA expressed his gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for his political will to promote rights of persons with disabilities. He pointed out some facts as ratification of UN Convention, establishment of laws protecting Persons with disabilities, creation of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities as well as including disability in EDPR2 as a cross-cutting issue. He also thanked UNICEF Rwanda for his huge support to the elaboration of the 1st NCPD Strategic plan July 2013-June 2018.
Speaking at the occasion, the Permanent Secretary of MINALOC, Mr. Munyeshyaka Vincent thanked all participants for having attended the meeting which show their willingness to contribute to the development of Persons with disabilities. Particularly, the Permanent Secretary showed gratitude to the UNICEF RWANDA for their support in NCPD Strategic plan development. He also reminded that all sectors in the country have to plan purposefully based on EDPRS2 and its cross-cutting issues and therefore called all stakeholders to respect the inclusion of disability in their Programs.
As it is highlighted in the strategic plan, the NCPD vision is “the society where persons with disabilities participate fully in all areas of life, inclusion is promoted and Human Rights and Equal Opportunities for persons with disabilities are realizedâ€.
Presenting the strategic plan, Mr. Bagweneza Bernard; the one of the consultants that developed it; revealed that 4 strategic priorities for these coming 5 years are: representation and mobilization of persons with disabilities, advocacy and inclusion, prevention and mitigation, and then coordinationof the Disability Movement in Rwanda. Note that Health, Education and Livelihoods are areas of intervention.
Discussing on funding modalities, the UNICEF Country Representative Ms Noala Skinner pledged that UNICEF will continue to support NCPD to implement this strategic plan.
One of the recommendations that come up with the meeting is to advocate to MIFOTRA so that employment for PWDs will be considered on a quota basis to be economically empowered and encourage Institutions and entrepreneurs to employ Persons with Disabilities.
During the meeting closure, NCPD President recalled the reinforcement of Monitoring and Evaluation system to know what is being done by all stakeholders involving in disability movement in order to avoid duplication.
Reported by:
Nyirabugenimana Sylvie
Disability Friendly Communication Officer/NCPD