The second training course was launched in Doha within the project ‘Empowering and Building the Capacities of Persons with Disabilities in GCC Countries".

The event was organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), in cooperation with Arab League, Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities, and the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND).

The three-day course witnessed the participation of 20 people with disabilities in the country.

The course aims to develop and enhance participants’ communication skills and raise awareness of the rights of people with disabilities.

It covered several topics including “Human Rights-Based Disability Approach”, “Integration Mechanisms for Persons with Disabilities in Qatar”, “The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Mechanism for Preparing Periodic Reports”, “Linking the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to the Sustainable Development Goals Central to the 2030 Agenda”, “The Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities”, and “An Introduction to the Third World Disability Summit and Topics Important to Include in the Summit”.

Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at MSDF Sheikha Sheikha bint Jassim Al Thani stressed that the project “Empowering and Building the Capacities of Persons with Disabilities in GCC Countries” is an ambitious project.

She said that the project aims to enhance the full participation of persons with disabilities by contributing to building an aware social system that possesses the capabilities to make decisions for them in their countries, and training on implementing the provisions of the relevant agreements.

She added that empowering persons with disabilities is a common goal for GCC member states based on involving stakeholders in decision-making and policies in their countries.

Sheikha Sheikha stressed that this requires training in the field of capacity building to enhance effective participation and create links between all categories of persons with disabilities in the GCC countries, enabling them to exchange experiences and adopt best practices at the national, regional and international levels.

She noted that Qatar seeks to enhance the comprehensive integration approach for persons with disabilities enabling them to participate effectively in all aspects of life, like the rest of the members of society.

Sheikha Sheikha said that Qatar relied in this approach on important national legislative pillars, in addition to the relevant international and regional agreements and standards, most notably the permanent constitution of Qatar, which included articles that guaranteed the rights of persons with disabilities.

She said that Qatar National Vision 2030 came to reinforce these constitutional rights by adopting a comprehensive vision for development, which aims to transform Qatar into an advanced country capable of achieving sustainable development. 

She said the training course would enhance the participants' capabilities to play effective roles in spreading knowledge of the rights of persons with disabilities and acquiring the skills required in preparing parallel reports, and acquiring communication skills.

Sheikha Sheikha noted that this training would support the efforts of the GCC countries in overcoming obstacles facing persons with disabilities and increasing awareness of these obstacles and the mechanisms available to address them.

She stressed that Qatar, with its partners, seeks to overcome all challenges facing persons with disabilities and achieve their aspirations for a decent life and the necessary protection in all circumstances, and to ensure their full participation in society without barriers.

In this context, Sheikha Sheikha noted that Qatar, within the framework of enhancing regional and international cooperation efforts, has announced its readiness to host an Fourth Global Disability Summit in Doha in 2028, in cooperation with the International Disability Alliance (IDA).

Director of the Department of Social Development and Policies and Head of the Technical Secretariat of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs Tareq Al Nabulsi, praised Qatar’s support for Arab efforts to promote the rights of people with disabilities, stressing the importance of the training course that promotes the rights of this important group in society.

Director General of the Arab Organization for Persons with Disabilities Jahda Abou Khalil, said that this course falls within the organization’s project to empower and build the capacities of persons with disabilities in the GCC countries, to ensure full participation in decision-making in their countries, and the proper implementation of agreements related to their rights.

Abou Khalil touched on the importance of the fourth Global Disability Summit scheduled to be held in Doha in 2028, expressing her confidence that Qatar will play a leading role in preparing for this summit in cooperation with the International Disability Alliance.

To recall, the first training course within the project ‘Empowering and Building the Capacities of Persons with Disabilities in the GCC Countries’ was held in Kuwait from October 1-3.