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Gulf Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Sharjah meet seeks inclusion for differently-abled
The emirate of Sharjah continues its preparation to host Inclusion International's 18th World Congress 'We are Inclusion,' which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, from September 15 - 17 September. Taking place for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, the congress is organised by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in strategic partnership with Inclusion International. The official three-day programme will feature 83 insightful and proactive sessions, in addition to key events held prior to the official opening. These include the Self-Advocacy Summit on September 14, bringing together 280 advocates from around the world, and the Families Summit, which gathers 140 families of people with disabilities on the same day, with the presence of dignitaries and senior officials. The congress is the premier event of 'Inclusion International', held every four years since its inception in 1963, with previous editions hosted in the UK, Mexico, Australia, and Kenya. Hosting the event in Sharjah this year reflects the international community's confidence and the emirate's pioneering role in supporting and empowering people with intellectual disabilities. 'We Are Inclusion' motivates collective action This year's congress will bring together a diverse range of participants from the five major continents, including representatives of self-advocacy organisations, family organisations, healthcare and education providers, social institutions, inclusive businesses, development organisations, along with government leaders, and policy experts from around the world. The theme also dedicates central space to self-advocates; individuals with intellectual disabilities speaking for their rights; who will lead sessions and share experiences directly with decision-makers. The congress focuses on a number of key pillars, strengthening self-advocacy, training advocates, raising family awareness, amplifying voices to policymakers, supporting people during crises, enhancing mental health, planning for the future after parental loss, and implementing international conventions. Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International said: "This World Congress marks an important milestone in our movement. For the first time, we gather in the Mena region to work with our member Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services to bring our global network together.' 'Our partnership shows what's possible when regional leadership and global advocacy come together with a shared purpose. At the heart of it are self-advocates, families, and organisations leading real change. This is what inclusion looks like in practice. We are Inclusion," she emphasised. Through these pillars, the World Congress in Sharjah builds upon the emirate's reputation as a global hub for humanitarian and rights-based impact, and as a gateway to a new era of international cooperation for the empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. 200 member organisations from 115 countries 'Inclusion International' comprises over 200 member organisations from 115 countries, spanning five key regions: the Middle East and North Africa (8 countries and 11 organisations); Europe (16 countries and 20 organisations); Africa (14 countries and 19 organisations); the Americas (16 countries and 34 organisations); and Asia and the Pacific (10 countries and 23 organisations). The organisation also serves as the official representative of people with intellectual disabilities and their families at the United Nations and other global forums. In addition to being a platform for sharing experiences and policies, the congress aims to highlight the achievements of Inclusion International's network over the past decades, such as the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006, and the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Other notable achievements include the contribution of members to successfully amending national laws in favour of people with disabilities, which positions the congress as a new milestone in advancing the global vision of inclusive and equitable societies. SCHS invites all stakeholders, governmental and private entities, civil society organisations, academic centres, parents, and experts to participate in this global event, engage with its themes and recommendations, and contribute to building inclusive and just environments founded on the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.
Sharjah 24
7 days ago
- General
- Sharjah 24
We Are Inclusion to convene specialists and officials in Sharjah
The official three-day programme will feature 83 insightful and proactive sessions, in addition to key events held prior to the official opening. These include the Self-Advocacy Summit on September 14, bringing together 280 advocates from around the world, and the Families Summit, which gathers 140 families of people with disabilities on the same day, with the presence of dignitaries and senior officials. The congress is the premier event of 'Inclusion International', held every four years since its inception in 1963, with previous editions hosted in the UK, Mexico, Australia, and Kenya. Hosting the event in Sharjah this year reflects the international community's confidence and the emirate's pioneering role in supporting and empowering people with intellectual disabilities. 'We Are Inclusion' motivates collective action This year's congress will bring together a diverse range of participants from the five major continents, including representatives of self-advocacy organisations, family organisations, healthcare and education providers, social institutions, inclusive businesses, development organisations, along with government leaders, and policy experts from around the world. The theme also dedicates central space to self-advocates; individuals with intellectual disabilities speaking for their rights; who will lead sessions and share experiences directly with decision-makers. The congress focuses on a number of key pillars, strengthening self-advocacy, training advocates, raising family awareness, amplifying voices to policymakers, supporting people during crises, enhancing mental health, planning for the future after parental loss, and implementing international conventions. Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International said: "This World Congress marks an important milestone in our movement. For the first time, we gather in the MENA region to work with our member Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services to bring our global network together.' 'Our partnership shows what's possible when regional leadership and global advocacy come together with a shared purpose. At the heart of it are self-advocates, families, and organisations leading real change. This is what inclusion looks like in practice. We are Inclusion," she emphasised. Through these pillars, the World Congress in Sharjah builds upon the emirate's reputation as a global hub for humanitarian and rights-based impact, and as a gateway to a new era of international cooperation for the empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. 200 member organisations from 115 countries 'Inclusion International' comprises over 200 member organisations from 115 countries, spanning five key regions: the Middle East and North Africa (8 countries and 11 organisations); Europe (16 countries and 20 organisations); Africa (14 countries and 19 organisations); the Americas (16 countries and 34 organisations); and Asia and the Pacific (10 countries and 23 organisations). The organisation also serves as the official representative of people with intellectual disabilities and their families at the United Nations and other global forums. In addition to being a platform for sharing experiences and policies, the congress aims to highlight the achievements of Inclusion International's network over the past decades, such as the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006, and the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Other notable achievements include the contribution of members to successfully amending national laws in favour of people with disabilities, which positions the congress as a new milestone in advancing the global vision of inclusive and equitable societies. SCHS invites all stakeholders, governmental and private entities, civil society organisations, academic centres, parents, and experts to participate in this global event, engage with its themes and recommendations, and contribute to building inclusive and just environments founded on the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.
Zawya
7 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
‘We Are Inclusion' to convene specialists and officials in Sharjah to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities
Sharjah, The emirate of Sharjah continues its preparation to host Inclusion International's 18th World Congress 'We are Inclusion,' which will be held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah from September 15 - 17 September. Taking place for the first time in the Middle East and North Africa region, the congress is organised by Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) in strategic partnership with Inclusion International. The official three-day programme will feature 83 insightful and proactive sessions, in addition to key events held prior to the official opening. These include the Self-Advocacy Summit on September 14, bringing together 280 advocates from around the world, and the Families Summit, which gathers 140 families of people with disabilities on the same day, with the presence of dignitaries and senior officials. The congress is the premier event of 'Inclusion International', held every four years since its inception in 1963, with previous editions hosted in the UK, Mexico, Australia, and Kenya. Hosting the event in Sharjah this year reflects the international community's confidence and the emirate's pioneering role in supporting and empowering people with intellectual disabilities. 'We Are Inclusion' motivates collective action This year's congress will bring together a diverse range of participants from the five major continents, including representatives of self-advocacy organisations, family organisations, healthcare and education providers, social institutions, inclusive businesses, development organisations, along with government leaders, and policy experts from around the world. The theme also dedicates central space to self-advocates; individuals with intellectual disabilities speaking for their rights; who will lead sessions and share experiences directly with decision-makers. The congress focuses on a number of key pillars, strengthening self-advocacy, training advocates, raising family awareness, amplifying voices to policymakers, supporting people during crises, enhancing mental health, planning for the future after parental loss, and implementing international conventions. Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International said: "This World Congress marks an important milestone in our movement. For the first time, we gather in the MENA region to work with our member Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services to bring our global network together.' 'Our partnership shows what's possible when regional leadership and global advocacy come together with a shared purpose. At the heart of it are self-advocates, families, and organisations leading real change. This is what inclusion looks like in practice. We are Inclusion," she emphasised. Through these pillars, the World Congress in Sharjah builds upon the emirate's reputation as a global hub for humanitarian and rights-based impact, and as a gateway to a new era of international cooperation for the empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. 200 member organisations from 115 countries 'Inclusion International' comprises over 200 member organisations from 115 countries, spanning five key regions: the Middle East and North Africa (8 countries and 11 organisations); Europe (16 countries and 20 organisations); Africa (14 countries and 19 organisations); the Americas (16 countries and 34 organisations); and Asia and the Pacific (10 countries and 23 organisations). The organisation also serves as the official representative of people with intellectual disabilities and their families at the United Nations and other global forums. In addition to being a platform for sharing experiences and policies, the congress aims to highlight the achievements of Inclusion International's network over the past decades, such as the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2006, and the endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. Other notable achievements include the contribution of members to successfully amending national laws in favour of people with disabilities, which positions the congress as a new milestone in advancing the global vision of inclusive and equitable societies. SCHS invites all stakeholders, governmental and private entities, civil society organisations, academic centres, parents, and experts to participate in this global event, engage with its themes and recommendations, and contribute to building inclusive and just environments founded on the principles of justice, equality, and human rights.
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Korea Herald
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
[Wang Son-taek] Making the liberal international order 2.0
The World Congress of the International Political Science Association in Seoul, often dubbed the 'Olympics of Politics,' could not have been more timely. With over 3,500 scholars from around 80 countries in attendance, the congress revolved around the theme 'Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies.' This theme captured the world's most pressing concern: the global erosion of democracy. South Korea — regarded as a democratic success story — experienced a severe political crisis from late last year as the former president led an insurrection. Yet the country managed to restore democratic order in a peaceful and sophisticated manner, thanks to a resilient democratic system and a politically conscious civil society. Seoul is one of the best places to discuss the future of democracy and liberal values. The core problem addressed at the conference — political polarization and autocratization — has evolved into a structural threat, manifesting across democracies at unprecedented levels. The challenges we face now stem from deeper, systemic malfunctions. To properly understand and address these, we must reassess the global system itself: the liberal international order established at the end of the Cold War. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new world order emerged under US leadership. The Cold War system, defined by the bipolar confrontation between the American-led capitalist bloc and the Soviet-led socialist bloc, gave way to US-led unipolar leadership under the liberal international order. This new framework promoted free trade, liberal democracy and multilateral institutions. For a time, it seemed to be working. Russia joined the G7 to create the G8; China entered the World Trade Organization and embraced market reforms. Many assumed that this convergence marked the inevitable triumph of liberalism. But history proved more complicated. The US invasion of Iraq in 2003, following the trauma of 9/11, exposed the limits of American leadership. Then came the 2008 global financial crisis, which further undermined the legitimacy of neoliberal globalization. By the time the US-China strategic competition erupted in 2018, the liberal order revealed that the US leadership was visibly shaken. The economic dimension was the first to crack. The neoliberal model that underpinned globalization prioritized deregulation, privatization and the free movement of capital, goods and labor. This model largely ignored the unique histories, cultures and geopolitical contexts of individual states. For global capitalists — particularly those in the US — this was a golden era of expansion. For ordinary citizens in both developed and developing nations, it meant widening inequality, precarious labor and the erosion of local industries. While gross domestic product grew, so did the gap between the rich and the poor. In countries like the United States and China — two engines of global economic growth over the past 35 years — the spoils of globalization were concentrated in the hands of a few. Tech giants in Silicon Valley and financial elites on Wall Street reaped immense gains, while working-class families faced stagnation. The backlash was inevitable. Feeling betrayed and excluded, people turned to populist leaders who promised to 'take back control.' This economic dislocation bled into politics. Globalization diminished the salience of national borders and weakened the traditional state-centered model of governance, as the importance of transnational institutions and corporations rapidly increased. Political parties, instead of serving the national interest, retreated into factional bases. This gave rise to what can be called 'political tribalism' — a form of identity-based partisanship with narrow group loyalties. Donald Trump's 2016 election victory exemplified this trend. His success rested on dividing the electorate into opposing camps and mobilizing resentment, rather than offering a unifying vision of national progress. At the social level, the liberal order's weakening consensus eroded the idea of society as a cooperative space. Instead of solidarity and shared purpose, people were recast as competitors — rivals in a zero-sum struggle for resources, recognition and power. In this climate, norms of political correctness and protections for minority groups were inevitably weakened. The social contract frayed. The 2024 reelection of Trump despite his overtly racist and divisive rhetoric underscored the depth of the rupture. Altogether, these developments suggest that the chaos of our time is not coincidental. It is the product of structural contradictions within the liberal international order. The question now is not whether the liberal order is in trouble — it clearly is — but whether it can be saved and reformed. Rather than abolishing the liberal order, it would be better for us to revise it. Unlike artificial, imposed systems, the liberal order developed organically from the moral and institutional aspirations of modern humanity: freedom, rule of law, market economy, capitalism and international cooperation. Its foundational values remain sound, if not instinctive. What needs correction are the mechanisms and assumptions that allowed inequality, tribalism and institutional decay to fester. Economically, a renewed liberal order must recognize that unregulated free trade can exacerbate national vulnerabilities. Trade must be fair as well as free. This may require reintroducing safeguards for domestic industries, enforcing global standards on labor and taxation and curbing the monopolistic power of transnational tech giants. Politically, the state must be reempowered to restore accountability, protect citizens and manage globalization more equitably. National institutions, far from being relics, are crucial to sustaining democracy. Moreover, political correctness and minority protections should not be framed as elitist impositions, but as democratic imperatives. Diversity is not only a moral principle — it is a source of creativity, innovation and long-term national strength. Reforms should be approached through collective, multilateral action. Global problems — from climate change to digital governance — cannot be solved by unilateralism or nationalism. We need a coordinated and integrated project to revise the liberal order. Scholars, policymakers and civil society leaders around the world must collaborate on shared reform agendas, institutional redesign and the provision of global public goods. Let the Seoul congress be remembered not only as a venue for diagnosing the world's democratic ailments, but also as the birthplace of "Liberal International Order 2.0" — a reformed, resilient and morally grounded framework for the 21st century.
New Statesman
23-06-2025
- Health
- New Statesman
Wes Streeting's maternity revolution
Photo by PA Images / Alamy Less than a week after meeting with families failed by English maternity services, Wes Streeting has announced a rapid national investigation into the care received by women and their babies across the country. Starting this summer, the investigation will urgently look at up to ten of the worst-performing hospital trusts in the country, as well as examining the maternity system at large, and bringing together the findings of past reviews into one clear national action plan. The review will be modelled on the Darzi investigation into the state of the NHS, which reported back its findings two months after being commissioned. Making the announcement at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists' (RCOG) World Congress, the Health and Social Care Secretary made clear how much the experiences of families has influenced his decision. 'What they have experienced is devastating – deeply painful stories of trauma, loss, and a lack of basic compassion – caused by failures in NHS maternity care that should never have happened. Their bravery in speaking out has made it clear: we must act – and we must act now.' Too many children have been dying, he said. And he wanted to say sorry. 'These families are owned more than apology; they're owed change, accountability; they're owed the truth.' Speaking to journalists afterwards, Streeting said that he sat in meetings with families in a 'state of disbelief… What you hear is so shocking, you think this can't possibly be true. And then you look at the evidence, and you see that is exactly what they have been through.' We are, he said, 'talking about the deaths of children. We're talking about harm and disablement of children. We're talking about mothers who've had severe birth injuries… The sorts of things they have to tell me, a total stranger, a man, someone in a suit from government, describing their inability to have sex with their partners and husbands any longer because of the birthing injuries they've suffered, or presenting me with the ashes of their children… it really does bring it home to you just exactly what these women and their partners have been through.' Addressing the roomful of doctors at the RCOG conference, Streeting said that the risk of giving birth was 'considerably higher than it should be because of the state of the crisis in our maternity and neonatal services.' He referenced the 'appalling scandals' in maternity care at Morecambe Bay, Shrewsbury and Telford, East Kent and Nottingham, but said that the problem was 'not just a few bad units up and down the country' – it's systemic. Poor maternity care was at the top of the list of things that kept him awake at night. What the Health Secretary did not announce, was a full, public statutory inquiry. Families whose babies have died or been harmed, and women who have been left badly injured as a result of mistakes made during birth, do not speak with one voice. However, some don't feel today's announcement goes far enough. Jack Hawkins, whose daughter Harriet was stillborn at Nottingham City Hospital in April 2016 after a catalogue of errors, said that everything being suggested had been 'tried in some shape or form before and has not led to lasting change.' He said that he and other Nottingham families believe a full national statutory public inquiry is 'the only way to hold a number of powerful people and organisations to account for their failures that have led to state infanticide at a level not seen since the Second World War.' Fiona Winser-Ramm, whose baby Aliona Grace died as a result of a 'number of gross failures' in care at Leeds General Infirmary said that while today's announcement was a 'small step' it did not go far enough. While welcoming the Secretary of State's speech, a number of families affected by poor maternity care in Leeds said in a statement that a full independent inquiry, led by former midwife Donna Ockenden was 'essential to get to the full scale of cultural and leadership failings, raised parents and whistleblowers, over many years, and in last week's CQC report'. Speaking to journalists after the announcement, the Health Secretary stressed that he did not rule out a full public inquiry and was keeping the option open. But there was also a need to change things now. 'My priority is making sure that we drive improvements in maternity safety as rapidly as possible,' Streeting's recommendation on a statutory public inquiry would be 'in no small part determined by the findings of the rapid investigation'. Nor did the Health Secretary rule out or a more detailed investigation into Leeds's maternity services. 'I'm talking to Leeds families at the moment about what we do specifically at Leeds,' Streeting responded to questioning from the New Statesman. 'There are major concerns. We've obviously seen a combination of very brave family campaigners, great journalism, and now a damning CQC report. So, I think, given the size of that trust, you can understand my level of concern.' Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Wes Streeting insisted that even within the short timeframe of the rapid investigation, questions of how maternity services got into their current state – and, more importantly, why – would not be overlooked. And, he stressed, he was mindful that those let down by poor care wanted people held accountable. 'I think the proof of the pudding will be in the eating,' he said. 'Government more generally is struggling with quite a big question for our country, which is, 'how do you acknowledge state failure and how do you put it right without always having to reach for the public inquiry route?' But the challenge that we have as politicians – and victims have is – well, what are the alternatives? And that's something we're working through with families.' The Health Secretary spoke forcefully about the lack of accountability hitherto, and the failure of the health watchdogs who should have been keeping maternity services safe. 'It really is a national scandal,' he acknowledged. 'I think it's just utterly shameful that on top of the grief and trauma [families have] experienced, that they have to go into battle for an accurate and honest account of what happened and why.' The culture of the NHS had to change. 'What's the priority here? Is it really patients, or is it reputations?' Streeting posed. 'My priority is patients.' The Care Quality Commission, whose job it is to inspect maternity services and respond to safety concerns, needed to be 'rebuilt' as 'an effective regulator and guarantor of patient safety', the Health Secretary argued. 'One of the many things that's gone wrong in this space … is that the regulators are failing to discharge their duties effectively on behalf of the public.' Not only did this fail the public, it also left the government exposed. 'I'm supposed to be able to ask regulators to keep patients safe and to hold institutions to account,' Streeting explained. And yet ministers were increasingly having to take direct responsibility for these, 'because of a lack of capability and confidence in the regulators'. Ministers, he said, had been 'underwhelmed by the proposals that have that have come to us from the system itself for improvements in maternity services and care and safety.' The full terms of reference for the investigation will be agreed by the end of July, as will membership of a new National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce, which will be chaired by the Health Secretary. This will include experts and bereaved families. A final report will be completed by Christmas. But there are still many details of the urgent review to be confirmed. It's not known yet who will lead it, but Streeting confirmed that a shortlist was being put together that would be shared with families for their feedback. Donna Ockenden, the former midwife who led the investigation into maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford and is currently investigating Nottingham's maternity care, would 'definitely be involved'. It's also not confirmed which hospital trusts will be the focus of the urgent review, either, but Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust were all mentioned by the Secretary of State in his speech today. Leeds's maternity services were rated Inadequate by the Care Quality Commission on Friday after families had raised concerns about poor care for years. Within the next month, Sir Jim Mackey, head of NHS England, and Duncan Barton, the chief nursing officer, will meet representatives of the trusts 'of greatest concern'. The final list of trusts will be chosen according to various data sets held by the NHS, Wes Streeting told the media. It wouldn't be just the voices that shouted the loudest who were heard, especially given the inequalities that exists in maternity outcomes, where black women are between two and three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. 'I want to make sure that we are going out and finding people and talking to people who otherwise would not come forward and wouldn't feel that their voices would be heard,' Streeting said. 'And those are disproportionately working class, disproportionately black, disproportionately Asian.' There was a problem in maternity services 'right across the country', Streeting said bluntly. 'I think this is systemic and endemic.' In her address to doctors, Ranee Thakar, the President of RCOG, insisted that women's health need had been ignored for too long. It needed to be a national priority. 'When we get it right for women, we get it right for everyone,' she argued. In Wes Streeting, it seems there is a health secretary who fully appreciates that: one who is truly beginning to comprehend the scale of scandal that is maternity care in England and who is honest about the mistakes made, not just by others, but by him and his own government. Women, their babies, and their partners have had to wait for too long for this. But Streeting is surely right that this is 'the conversation we need'. A conversation that must lead to answers, change, and accountability. [See also: The trauma ward] Related
