News Releases

UWI/GEF Symposium Empowers Persons with Disabilities for Upcycling Waste Plastics Projects

For Release Upon Receipt - December 22, 2023

St. Augustine


 

 

 Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme delivers the Opening Remarks

St. Augustine, December 22, 2023 – With approximately 1 billion people, or 15% of the world's population, living with disabilities, this group is not only recognised as the world's largest minority but also as a dynamic force shaping the future. This significant segment of the population was the focus of a pivotal discussion at a two-day symposium on November 16 and 17, 2023 entitled "Persons with Disabilities as Change Agents," supported by the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).   

 The symposium, which was entitled "Persons with Disabilities as Change Agents", highlighted the work of the GEF SPG and others, which empowered Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to become more resilient and self-sufficient. The projects highlighted included using plastic lumber to create greenhouses for PWDs; 3D printing prosthetics for PWDs using waste plastics and PWDs printing tools to support themselves.  

 The event was hosted by the School of Education of The University of the West Indies (The UWI), in collaboration with The Department of Mechanical Engineering and the St. Augustine Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (StACIE). It was held both virtually and in person at the School of Education Auditorium at The UWI St. Augustine Campus.  

 In opening the symposium Dr. Rawatee Maharaj-Sharma, Director of the School of Education, highlighted the symposium's goals, stating, "We aimed to shed light on the lived experiences of individuals with disabilities, often overlooked or misunderstood, and to showcase initiatives focused on their education and well-being." This will be done by providing a space, an opportunity for PWD to share their stories, their challenges, their achievements, and their contributions. This symposium is part of a wider GEF SGP UNDOP initiative focussed on engaging PWD in new opportunities for capacity development and livelihoods, whilst realizing cross-cutting approaches to addressing social and environmental priorities for example, empowering PWDs in the upcycle of waste plastics as part of the broader global, environmental, sustainability thrust. 

 In bringing greetings, Mr. Ugo Blanco, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) brought to light that a significant number of the world’s population are PWDs. He further discussed the theme of the 2023 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD): "United in action to rescue and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for, with, and by persons with disabilities".  He shared those practical deliberations regarding policy are taking place at the UNDP to achieve the SDGs for persons with disabilities with persons with disabilities. He added that persons with disabilities are agents of change and not victims. 

 Mr. Alan Cooper, Head of Solutions Mapping of UNDP Accelerator Lab, recognised the symposium as a valuable platform for individuals with disabilities to share personal stories, challenges, and opportunities encountered. He expressed the hope that the symposium would lead to more socioeconomic opportunities for PWDs and acknowledged the gathering as being well-timed to coincide with the lead-up to the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December. He highlighted its relevance and urgency in calling attention to the challenges, often underrepresented and misunderstood experiences of individuals with disabilities. 

 Further enriching the symposium was a panel showcasing the personal experiences and successes of individuals with disabilities. Speakers such as Jamal Legen, a successful farmer; Nubia Williams, recognized for her work with Caribbean persons with disabilities who are twice exceptional including those who are gifted and talented; Arron George, CEO of a music company; and Kerwin Thomas, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of Disabled People International, shared their insights on the benefits of tertiary level upskilling through micro-credential offerings. The UWI St. Augustine Campus and GEF remain committed to spearheading such initiatives driving awareness, promoting inclusion, and creating pathways for empowerment within the disability community.  

 Following the wonderful presentations and discussions was a panel discussion on Integrating Challenges and Opportunities for Inclusion. The panel brought together experts like Senator Paul Richards discussing the Disability Bill, Dr. Elna Carrington-Blaides on competing inclusion frameworks, Dr. Paulson Skerrit examining the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and its implications, and Dr. Bephyer Parey on navigating workplace challenges and the Equal Opportunity Commission's limitations. This panel brought with it rich debate and discussion that highlighted the need for much more to be done for persons with disabilities.  

 The presentations and panels were not the only features. The many persons with disabilities from the various organizations who attended shared their views, their challenges and their stories of triumph despite their setbacks. Persons with disabilities are a resilient group that needs whose needs and challenges need to come to the fore. As Mr. Gunness, a visually impaired IT instructor at the Blind Welfare Association says: Nothing for Us, Without Us.  

 About the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) 

 The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme is a facility, within the UNDP, dedicated to providing communities with the technical and financial support to address biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and strains on land and ocean health. Supporting the inclusion of women, youth, indigenous people and persons with disabilities (PWDs) is a mandatory strategic focal area of the GEF SGP. Learn more at: https://sgp.undp.org/ 

 The UNDP in Trinidad and Tobago multi-country office promotes Climate Action, energy transition, inclusive growth and digitalization alongside rule of law and governance. Under the leadership of national institutions, and in collaboration with local, national, regional and international partners, UNDP multicultural team provides technical support and enhances capacities for programme implementation in Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. To learn more, visit us at UNDP TTO 

 

 About The University of the West Indies  

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.  

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.  

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world. 

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.  

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.  

Learn more at www.uwi.edu    

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