FrédériqueWiemeijer, 22-2 2015

J 1

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, and welcome to this session on:

the dynamics between major international development stakeholders’ disability programmes and resources.

My name is Frederique Wiemeijer, I work for the Essl Foundation and am responsible for resource mobilization, & partnerships.

I have the absolute pleasure – and honour – to be your host.

I will start with a short introduction to the session, and briefly introduce you to the 4 distinguished ladiesof this panel.

Each of our panelist has 10 minutes for her presentation. And I kindly ask you to write down any questions you may have because you will have the opportunity to address them after the 4 presentations are finished.

We are gathered here today because the Zero Project aims to keep its work in line with the needs of disability and human rights organizations worldwide. The overall objective of this plenary session is to explore the dynamics between the different stakeholders and to clarify their respective roles.

For this objective we have here today a panel of experts, with whom we will talk aboutsome issues:

•How is - for instance - the complexity of disability, integrated into the different competencies of the UN agencies?

•How is the unique position of the UN leveraged at a country level and the global level to facilitate partnerships,and innovation?

•How is knowledge on good practices generated?

•What does the funding landscape look like?

Before we get started, let me introduce you to the members of the panel:

On my far right Ms Daniela Bas!Appointed Director of the Division for Social Policy and Development of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, working out of New York. Ms Bas has a long history working for the Italian Government and for the UN and if I am not mistaken it all started here in Vienna!

Benvenuta!

Next to me Ms Milica Begovic Radojevic, innovation specialist for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based in Istanbul where UNDP’s Regional Hub is located. Her role in UNDP is to work on innovation and, as she will explain later, this does not always refer to technological inventions, but more ofteninclude using new approaches and rethinking procedures and policy.
Dobrodosli!

On my far left Leah Maxson, Ms Maxson is a Democracy Fellow with the U.S. Agency for International Development, based in Washington. Ms Maxson works globally to advance disability inclusive development programs and practices.Next to her professional expertise Ms Maxson is also fluent in Amercian and Kenyan sign language.

Welcome!

Next, on my left, Michelle Funk, coordinator of the Mental Health Policy and Service Development for the World Health Organisation. Ms Funk works in Geneva and, under her leadership, key normative documents as well as training materials and tools have been designed and countries supported to undertake mental health reform.

Welcome!

And now, without further ado, I would like to open this session by addressing my first question to you Ms Funk: what is the role of WHO in promoting the disability agenda?