Strategies for Leaving No One Behind Conference 2024

On Thursday, September 26, 2024, the second Breaking down Barriers Conference took place at The Social Hub in The Hague.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 250 million people in the Global South live with severe disabilities, positioning them among the most impoverished and marginalized groups globally. Despite their significant presence, they often remain a ‘forgotten group’ in mainstream development initiatives. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to “Leave No One Behind,” yet achieving this goal remains a challenge. Programs specifically designed for individuals with disabilities frequently exhibit biases related to impairment type, gender, or geographic location, limiting their effectiveness. Consequently, people with disabilities continue to face disproportionate exclusion. To address these challenges, it is important to leverage new and existing knowledge on disability-inclusive development and translate it into practical applications. By sharing insights and best practices, we can collaborate on innovative solutions that ensure no individual with a disability is overlooked.

Conference overview

On 26 September 2024, we gathered in The Hague for the second Breaking down Barriers Conference, which offered both in-person and online participation. The primary aim was to present the outcomes and, more importantly, the actionable recommendations from Breaking down Barriers 2.0, ensuring immediate applicability in practice.

Chair and key notes 

Eva Eikhout chaired the event, effectively bridging the gap between research and practice in disability inclusion. Keynote speakers Katherine Belen, Peter Derrek Hof, and Sharon Handongwe set an inspiring tone for the day. Belen underscored that mainstreaming gender and disability inclusion “is a must-do; it’s both the right and strategic thing to do.” Handongwe reminded us that “Inclusion is not just a tick box.” Their reflections, along with insights from Aisha Fofana Ibrahim, Danielle Hirsch, Dr. Thomas Mtonga, and Fenna Timsi, sparked an inspiring start to our discussions.

Breakout sessions

In the afternoon, participants engaged in breakout sessions that focused on inclusion challenges and effective strategies.

Breakout Session 1: Inclusion challenges and Effective approaches

• Aisha Ibrahim from Fourah Bay College presented research on access challenges faced by Young Women with Disabilities (YWD) in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), leading to discussions on the benefits of adopting an intersectional lens.
• Willem Elbers from Radboud University shared insights into successful community-based rehabilitation models, followed by a discussion on best practices for reaching all Children and Youth with Disabilities (CYWD) regardless of their circumstances.
• Thomas Mtonga from the University of Zambia presented research aimed at enhancing inclusive education for CYWD, with specialists promoting effective educational strategies.

Breakout Session 2: Putting ideas into practice

• NSofwa Petronella Sampa shared her experiences (via video) accessing SRHR as a young woman with a disability. Daphne Visser (Liliane Fonds) highlighted the importance of YWD involvement in designing SRHR programs.
• Aisha Ibrahim and Valentine Ngalim (University of Bamenda, Cameroon) discussed research on family engagement to improve health outcomes for CYWD, with specialists sharing evidence-based approaches.
• Sharon Handongwe and Thomas Mtonga presented research on financial inclusion for YWD, fostering discussions on advancing financial opportunities.

Interactive Lightning Talks

• Tine Davids from Radboud University discussed how insights on gender mainstreaming can enhance disability inclusion in development programs.
• Mustapha Gidado from KNCV highlighted impactful stigma reduction strategies to improve community inclusion for CYWD.
• Lieke Scheewe from DCDD emphasized the necessity of robust disability-inclusive policies and actions.

New: Livestream for international participants

Recognizing the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, we introduced a livestream option for international participants. This initiative allowed individuals from around the globe to engage with our program, extending our reach and enabling a diverse audience to join us in our mission.

Looking ahead: Breaking down Barriers 3.0

The Breaking down Barriers initiative plays a crucial role in advancing effective, evidence-based policies and programs in the realm of disability-inclusive development. Knowledge, research, and learning are fundamental to making informed decisions during program design and implementation. Breaking down Barriers will continue its efforts through a new multi-annual research program (October 2024–December 2028) with plans for BdB 3.0 focusing on more in-depth research to further enhance the inclusion of children and youth with disabilities.