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On November 30, 2012 the Conference “Persons with Disabilities - Current Situation and New Challenges” was held at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel. The Conference was dedicated to the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (Decembers 3) and was attended by Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister of Georgia; Giorgi Margvelashvili, Minister of Education and Science; Nodar Khaduri, Minister of Finances; Tea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice; David Sergenko, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs; David Narmania, State Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure; H.E. Ambassador of the USA to Georgia Richard Norland; Stephen M. Haykin, USAID Mission Director; Anna Arganashvili, Representative of the Public Defender’s Office; leaders of DPOs; journalists and other stakeholders.

The Conference was aimed at summing up the policy and programmes implemented in terms of PWDs as well as designing the future visions and cooperation pattern in consultation with government bodies and other stakeholders.

The Conference was opened with a brief video-collage on the history of Disability Public Movement (to see the video, follow the link), which was followedgiabizina.jpg by the presentation prepared by Mariam Mikiashvili, a young leader together with Iko Iakobidze, Giorgi Tomaradze and Maia Bolkvadze.  After the presentation, Giorgi Dzneladze, Chairman of the Coalition for Independent Living welcomed the guests and stated: “It is untrue that creating an equal environment costs a lot to the Government! Though, it will be expensive indeed if we build buildings and only after make their reconstruction, if we buy transportation and only after we try to make them accessible, if we introduce services and only after we care about their accessibility. Therefore, we think that our interests and involvement should be considered at an initial stage of the decision-making process.”

 “The Government has the obligation to protect PWDs and their rights as far as the culture and dignity of each state is defined by how it treats PWDs. During the election process we have promised the society that justice will be recovered and I think that at first it should be recovered in terms of PWDs. The State has to make all efforts to ensure your integration, such as at streets, in transportation and buildings. This should be done not by means of reconstruction, but by considering your needs at an initial stage. The whole society and PWDs as well have faced unfairness from former authority. We will refuse all those defects that have been taking place during their administration. Georgia has resources to provide assistance to PWDs and this assistance will be continued and intensified even more and more”, said Mr. Ivanishvili, the Prime Minister of Georgia.

As Tea Tsulukiani, Minister of Justice declared, the Ministry will design and introduce to the Government the laws, enabling PWDs to realize their rights.

“Do not worry! Just imagine, there is no speaker desk for low people in Georgia and this is the problem I face too often. I want to share my love with you and tell you that I am proud of you, because besides difficulties you experience you still are able to make the government to pay attention to you. Together with the Prime Minister we have the will to solve the problems of PWDs. As to our Ministry, its priority was constructions of buildings before; now we are focused on improving the legislation. We will design and introduce to the Government the laws, enabling PWDs to realize their rights… Our policy issue will be employing competent people despite their abilities in public service”, declared Ms. Tsulukiani.

The Prime Minister of Georgia has promised disabled leaders, that the nearest Meeting of the Coordination Council would be held before December 25, 2012 and he would attend the Meeting.

The Conference was arranged within the frameworks of the USAID-supported “Disability advocacy Project”, which is being implemented by the Coalitionrati-mikro.jpg for Independent Living.

About the Project:

The aim of the Disability Advocacy Project is to strengthen the Disabled People’s Organizations (DPO) operating in Tbilisi as well as in ImereTi, Guria, Samegrelo and Adjaria regions in order to enable PWD women, men and children to be engaged in the ongoing and future development programmes of the community. The project is also aimed at increasing the participation of DPOs in government decision-making by enhancing cooperation and coordination between the DPOs, state actors and development programs.