Governance and Human Rights Conference

The global community has made significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure a better future for all. However, the rights and well-being of people with disabilities still require urgent attention and action. Individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges, including limited access to tools, resources, services, and advancements essential for their development, empowerment, and social inclusion.

Therefore, it is important to raise awareness about the present circumstances of people with disabilities worldwide, and the SDGs framework offers an ideal scenario for us to emphasize the importance of the Health and Well-being and Education goals in the lives of persons with disabilities, highlight the available support systems and identify the deficiencies and barriers that hinder their lives.

The purpose of the conference is to raise awareness about the present circumstances of people with disabilities around the world and explore the tools, resources, services, and advancements available to support and enhance their empowerment, well-being, and inclusion in society. This conference will highlight the vital importance of excellent health and high-quality education in the lives of people with disabilities, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4. It seeks to provide a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices, specifically related to the health and education sectors, to highlight existing support systems, identify possible gaps, and suggest innovative solutions to address the deficiencies faced by people with disabilities. The overall goal is to contribute to and support the mission of attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Prof. Till Patrik Holterhus is a legal scholar and has been a university professor at the University of Lüneburg since April 2023. He also holds the Chair of Public Law, in particular Constitutional Law and Administrative Law. He will lead the conference.

Dr. Mimi Lusli is a blind disability activist, living in Jakarta-Indonesia. She has been working with disabled people organisations concerning on empowering and advocating the rights of persons with disabilities for more than 20 years. She is the founder of the Mimi Institute and works as the director of it currently. The Mimi Institute aims to is to mainstream disability for a better life through education.

Veronika Hilber is an experienced human rights advocate. She is an expert on disability-inclusive development, specialising on the right to education and inclusive participation of persons with disabilities.

Dr. Michael Schloms is working for the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). He is Head of the Division "Human Rights, Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities and Media.

2:00pm | Welcome & Opening Remarks | Prof. Dr. Till Patrik Holterhus (Leuphana University)

2:15pm | Keynote Speech: Health for All: Achieving SDG 3 - Bridging the Gap in Inclusive Healthcare | Dr. Mimi Lusli 

2:30pm | Keynote Speech: Leaving No One Behind: Empowering Inclusive Education for SDG 4 Success | (tbc)  

2:45pm | Two parallel Workshops | Health and Well-being | Education 

3:30pm | Break 

4:00pm | Presentation of Workshop Results 

4:15pm | Panel Discussion: Breaking Barriers: Advancing Inclusive Society for Health, Education, and Well-being | Dr. Mimi Lusli | Veronika Hilber (CBM) | Dr. Michael Schloms (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development) 

4:45pm | Q&A 

5:00pm | Closing Remarks

You can register as of now via email: gahr-panel@leuphana.de.