UNITED
NATIONS  GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
REMARKS
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIFTY-EIGHTH SESSION
OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
AT THE LUNCHEON FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF
THE
FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT INTERNATIONAL DISABILITY AWARD
TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ITALY
17 NOVEMBER 2003
Minister
Maroni, Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies
and Gentlemen:
This
and other events held in connection with today's awarding
of The Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability
Award to Italy, highlight three particular reasons why we
should be optimistic about the protection and promotion
of the rights of people with disabilities.
The
first reason is that United Nations initiatives in respect
of disability - the outcomes of the 1981 International Year
of Disabled Persons, the 1983-1992 Decade of Disabled Persons
and importantly, the World Programme of Action Concerning
Disabled Persons - have brought disability issues to the
forefront.This United Nations framework, including the work
of the Special Rapporteur on Disability, continues to provide
a firm foundation for, and to give impetus to, national,
regional and international efforts in this area.
The
second reason for optimism is the commitment of organisations,
among them the World Committee on Disability, that work
tirelessly, hand in hand with the United Nations and people
with disabilities to achieve United Nations objectives concerning
disability. High priority is given, in this context to full
and equal participation of people with disabilities in the
socio-economic development of their countries, and to ensuring
that they are beneficiaries of development.
The
third reason is the progress that is being made by countries
the world over towards the goal of full and equal participation
of people with disabilities in the economic, social and
cultural life of their countries, and internationally through
sporting and other events, such as the Special Olympics.
Italy has made significant progress in this area, and today
is recognised for its exemplary accomplishments by receiving
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award
of the World Committee on Disability and the Franklin and
Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. The award is given in the name
of an accomplished statesman and world leader, whose triumph
over disability is an inspiration for people with, and without
disabilities.
Our
optimism must, however, be tempered by the reality that
millions of people the world over are living with disabilities,
a vast majority of them in developing countries, and the
numbers who are likely to become disabled as a result of
accidents, conflict and terrorism, deadly disease such as
HIV/AIDS, and other causes.
Another
champion of people with disabilities, Helen Keller, commented
regarding blindness that there was nothing worse than having
sight, but being unable to see. After all, it is not sight,
but vision that matters. It is a vision of equality of opportunity,
of better standards of life in larger freedoms that we must
all share, and which must be our guiding light in our endeavours
for the full integration of people with disabilities into
their countries and societies.
I thank
you.
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