Egypt’s Planning Ministry organizes Awareness Seminar on the Rights of People of Determination

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, represented by its Human Rights Unit, held an awareness seminar in collaboration with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to familiarize attendees with the council's duties and the rights of People of Determination . The seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Mohamed Alaa, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Head of the Human Rights Unit at the Ministry. Dr. Nahla Suleiman, Director of the Technical Office of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, also participated.

The seminar discussed several topics, including the establishment of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, the legislation governing it, its mandates, the importance of raising legal awareness about the rights of persons with disabilities, and relevant international conventions. It also addressed the etiquettes of dealing with individuals with different disabilities, empowerment concepts, accessibility, and the integration of persons with disabilities.

Dr. Mohamed Alaa emphasized that the seminar aimed to underscore the importance of diversity and respecting differences. He noted that certain issues, such as creating a conducive work environment that allows everyone to work and innovate, cannot be developed solely through legislative amendments. Instead, they require communication, understanding, and collaborative efforts.

Alaa further affirmed that the seminar falls within the framework of the role played by the Human Rights Unit at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in creating a positive work environment and implementing the objectives of the National Human Rights Strategy. This reflects the political leadership's commitment to supporting People of Determination in society and all state institutions.

Dr. Nahla Suleiman confirmed that the issues of persons with disabilities receive significant attention, especially after the President's support for their rights by designating the year 2018 as the Year of Disability. This initiative stimulated the state's efforts and cooperation to empower People of Determination. She added that legislative reforms have seen significant progress since then, with the issuance of Law No. 10 of 2018 concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and its executive regulations to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights, enhance their dignity, and integrate them into society.

Regarding the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Nahla explained that it is an independent council with legal personality aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of People of Determination as enshrined in the constitution, promoting and developing them, consolidating their values, raising awareness about them, and contributing to ensuring their practice in light of international agreements, covenants, and treaties ratified by the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Suleiman also highlighted the council's mandates, including representing persons with disabilities, expressing opinions, participating in committees and report preparation, coordinating, collaborating, networking, raising societal awareness, and handling complaints from citizens with disabilities. She outlined the pillars of the approach to accessibility, integration, and empowerment from a developmental rights perspective, including coordination, cooperation, participation, networking, integration, and inclusivity, to create an inclusive supportive society with environmental, technological, and informational accessibility to achieve comprehensive integration of persons with disabilities and enable them to enjoy their rights in all areas from a rights-based and developmental perspective.