When: Thursday 30 November at 10 – 12 (EET)
Where: Online (Teams)
Register here by 28 November (link opens in a new tab)
Participation in decision-making is a human right, but in most countries persons with disabilities remain underrepresented and face several barriers that prevent them from entering politics. Political parties are key players in decision-making, and therefore they have an important role to play in strengthening the inclusivity of politics.
Demo Finland and its partners have conducted programmes to enhance the political possibilities of persons with disabilities in Kenya, Zambia and Ethiopia, and Demo Finland has also worked with Finnish political parties to increase inclusivity in Finland.
In this event, we launch our new policy brief that compiles some lessons learnt and success stories from the programmes in Kenya and Zambia as well as recommendations for political parties.
Join us in the discussion on how political parties and other stakeholders can make politics more inclusive!
Programme:
10.00 Opening remarks
- Rilli Lappalainen, Executive Director, Demo Finland
10.10 Introduction to the Policy Brief
- Esa Salminen, Author
10.40 Panel discussion: Path to more inclusive politics
- Dr. Justus Juma, Party Leader, Justice and Freedom Party of Kenya
- Dr. Thomas Mtonga, parliamentary election candidate 2021, Patriotic Front (Zambia)
- Taru Reinikainen, parliamentary election candidate 2023, Social Democratic Party (Finland)
11.40 Comments
- Wamundila Waliuya, Director, Disability Rights Watch (Zambia)
- Henry Benjamin Awino, Programme Coordinator, Westminster Foundation for Democracy Kenya
11.50 Closing words
- Leena Faurie, Director of Programmes, Demo Finland
12.00 End of the event
The event is in English.
Accessibility:
See more information on the accessibility tools in Teams by clicking this link (opens in a new tab). The event will be live captioned.
More information:
Communications and Programme Manager Anna Juhola: anna.juhola@demofinland.org