The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was proud to hold a meeting with the Libyan Paralympics Committee on the 9th November 2008.  The meeting provided UNDP Libya with the opportunity to open up new avenues of co-operation with the Committee and to articulate its significant commitment to promoting the needs of those with physical and mental disabilities.

UNDP ‘s resolve to ensure that those with disabilities are not economically or socially marginalized is an integral part of its overarching dedication to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) in Libya. In particular, UNDP Libya is deeply committed to the belief that no human being should be denied the right to education, health-care and gainful employment.  The conference therefore marked an important step in UNDP Libya’s campaign to realize the MDGs in Libya.

UNDP’s Resident Representative, Brian Gleeson and National Programme Analyst, Amal El-Moghrabi, were invited to watch a video of the team’s victories at the Paralympics held in Shanghai in 2007. The Libyan team won 19 gold medals for their country.

In the ensuing discussion the attendees conferred on methods of raising the public profile of those with disabilities. UNDP Libya announced its intention to help raise public awareness of the issue in order to improve the integration of those with special needs into society. It pledged to lobby for government decision-makers to take the needs of disabled citizens into account when drawing up development plans, particularly in the spheres of education and health care.   UNDP Libya also intends to turn its attention towards some of the root causes of disabilities, by looking into the problem of close-kin blood marriages and working towards reducing accident rates.

Improving opportunities and access for those with mental and physical disabilities is also a priority for UNDP. It declared its intention to work towards the improvement of disabled access to government and public buildings. In addition, UNDP Libya outlined plans to launch a programme to further employment opportunities for those with special needs.

UNDP Libya expressed a willingness to participate in UN handicapped day, to further awareness of this cause, and will enter into discussion with the Paralympics Committee to discuss arrangements for the day.

Given the Paralympics team’s future ambitions, Brian Gleeson is also keen to facilitate greater links between the Libyan committee and the Australian Paralympics Committee.

UNDP Libya hopes that this meeting will mark the beginning of a fruitful collaboration with the Libyan Paralympics Committee.  It requested that the Paralympics Committee create a UNDP focal point to cement the new partnership.

The meeting provided a significant platform for UNDP Libya to further its commitments to the MDGs and to express its support for a vulnerable sector of society. Above all, UNDP Libya is dedicated to ensuring that all Libyan citizens are able to partake equally in its plans for the future development of the Great Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.