Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities Hit a Number of 1sts
The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) participated in the First Regional Seminar for Women Leaders with Diverse Abilities from 7-10 June in Havana, Cuba. President Roxanne Marin and Manager Eva Middleton were invited to Cuba by President Mabel Ballesturos López and Legal Advisor Bernardo Borges of the Cuban Association of Persons with Physical Limitations (ACLIFIM). They were also supported by the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation.
BAPDA announced at the seminar that they had joined with the Belize Red Cross, the Cuban Red Cross and City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to better assist persons with diverse abilities during times of emergency.
Representatives from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean met to identify best practices to safeguard the rights of persons with diverse abilities. They learned how to improve advocacy for the implementation of practical domestic laws for equal treatment under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Diverse Abilities. They also looked at ways to build social inclusion and awareness in families and communities, as well as ways of building confidence and self-esteem.
Another first was BAPDA’s inclusion as the 19th Member of the Latin American Network of Non-Governmental Organizations for Persons with Disabilities and their Families.
BAPDA uses this opportunity to call on all Belizeans to embrace, celebrate and make the most of our diversity.
