The launch of the Real Inclusion Disability Engagement (RIDE) Project on Friday 3 December began a new era in funding support to people with disabilities in Papua New Guinea and also marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD).
RIDE is a two-year project that aims at improving the well-being and empowerment of persons with disabilities and to strengthen Disabled People’s Organisations’ (DPO) capacity to advocate for their rights. The project will be implemented by World Vision PNG in partnership with PNGDPOs throughout the country and the Department for Community Development and Religion.
Australian High Commissioner Jon Philp reminded the participants that International Day of Persons with Disabilities is an important day for everyone to start promoting and understanding people with disabilities and encouraging support for their dignity, rights and well-being.
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From L-R: Heather McLeod, World Vision Country Director, HE Jon Philp, Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, Medley Laban, Co-Chairperson, PNG Assembly for Disabled Persons and Warren Marape, Deputy Secretary for DfCDR (Photo credit: World Vision PNG).
“We recognise that people with disabilities are the experts in disability inclusion and should be engaged as partners, not just beneficiaries, in everything that affects them and celebrate them as leaders, experts and participants in our international development and humanitarian programs.”
“The launch of this project comes at a very important time for Papua New Guinea as it continues to grapple with the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and people with disabilities are often hit the hardest by the health, economic and social impacts of COVID-19.” Mr Philp said.
RIDE is one of a number of programs Australia is funding through the PNG-Australia Partnership to promote disability inclusive development. The Australian Government has been assisting the Government of PNG to ratify and implement the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) and to review and update the PNG Disability Policy.
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From L-R: Warren Marape, Deputy Secretary for DfCDR, Medley Laban, Co-Chairperson PNG Assembly for Disabled Persons, Heather McLeod, World Vision Country Director, HE Jon Philp, Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG. (Photo credit: World Vision PNG).
Deputy Secretary for Department for Community Development and Religion Warren Marape thanked the Australian Government, saying Australia has been the strongest supporter in Disability since day one when the PNG Disability Policy 2015-2025 was first developed.
For further information, including access to related materials, please contact the Australian High Commission media team: +675 7090 0100