International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024

Today, Tuesday 3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD).

This global observance aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development.

Theme for 2024

The theme for IDPwD 2024 is Amplifying the leadership of persons with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future. This theme is about people with disability as leaders. Leaders with disability make the world a fairer place for everyone.

Mercy Family - Cambodia

The Sisters of Mercy have been ministering in the Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam area since 1987 when Denise Coghlan rsm moved to Thai-Cambodia border and began her ministry with Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees displaced by the proxy war between the United States and Russia/Vietnam. This ministry was a partnership of Mercy Refugee Services and Jesuit Refugee Services.

Sr Denise continues to work with Jesuit Services and its Cambodian team Metta Karuna (Mercy and Loving Kindness), that includes a number of Cambodians, some Providence Sisters, and some Jesuit priests from around the world. She coordinates educational, health, and rural development programmes in several provinces, as well as the provision of assistance for people with disabilities.

Cambodia has been severely impacted by landmines, and Sr Denise is very involved nationally and internationally in the anti-landmine movement. She was part of the network of non-governmental organizations and individuals who led the movement resulting in the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty signed by more than 100 countries. She serves on the coordinating committee of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and continues to campaign for funding for victim assistance and mine clearance.

UN international days and weeks - powerful advocacy tool

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool.

ENDS