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PAPER-1 UNIT-5.3 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND POLICIES SUCH AS UNCRPD, MDGs AND SDGs- SPECIAL EDUCATION NOTES

                                UNIT-5.3

In this Unit-
International Conventions and Policies such as UNCRPD, MDGs AND SDGs 

1. UNCRPD

2. Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 

3. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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1. UNCRPD 

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human rights treaty that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2006 and came into force in 2008. The convention recognizes that persons with disabilities have the same human rights as everyone else and calls for the removal of barriers to their full and effective participation in society. In this essay, we will provide a detailed overview of the UNCRPD, its main provisions, and its impact on the lives of persons with disabilities.


The UNCRPD is based on the principles of equality, non-discrimination, participation, and inclusion. It recognizes that persons with disabilities are a diverse group of individuals who may face various forms of discrimination and exclusion based on their impairment. The convention covers a wide range of areas, including access to education, employment, health, and social protection. It also recognizes the importance of accessibility, reasonable accommodation, and the involvement of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.


One of the main provisions of the UNCRPD is Article 12, which recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to equal recognition before the law and the right to exercise legal capacity on an equal basis with others. This means that persons with disabilities should not be denied the right to make decisions about their lives and should be provided with the necessary support to exercise their legal capacity. The convention also calls for the protection of persons with disabilities from forced treatment, including involuntary medical treatment and institutionalization.


Another important provision of the UNCRPD is Article 24, which recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to education. This includes the right to inclusive education, which means that persons with disabilities should have equal access to mainstream education and be provided with the necessary support to participate fully in the educational process. The convention also recognizes the importance of vocational training and lifelong learning opportunities for persons with disabilities.


The UNCRPD also includes provisions on employment (Article 27), health (Article 25), social protection (Article 28), and accessibility (Article 9). Article 27 recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to work on an equal basis with others and to enjoy decent work conditions. This includes the right to equal pay for equal work, the right to reasonable accommodation, and the right to vocational rehabilitation and training. Article 25 recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to enjoy the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination. This includes the right to access health services, including rehabilitation and habilitation services, on an equal basis with others. Article 28 recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to an adequate standard of living and social protection. This includes the right to social security, including disability benefits, and the right to participate in social, cultural, and recreational activities on an equal basis with others. Article 9 recognizes the right of persons with disabilities to accessibility. This includes the right to access the physical environment, transportation, information, and communication technologies, and other services and facilities on an equal basis with others.


The UNCRPD has had a significant impact on the lives of persons with disabilities since its adoption. It has provided a framework for action and collaboration among governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. It has also helped to raise awareness of the issues faced by persons with disabilities and to promote a more inclusive and accessible society. The convention has been ratified by 177 countries, making it one of the most widely supported human rights treaties in history.


However, the implementation and enforcement of the UNCRPD remain a challenge in many countries. Many persons with disabilities still face discrimination and exclusion in their daily lives, and access to education, employment, health, and social protection remains limited in many parts of the world. There is a need for greater political will, resources, and sustained.


2. MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( MDGs )

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of eight international development goals established by the United Nations (UN) in 2000 to address global poverty and inequality. The goals were designed to be achieved by 2015 and were adopted by 189 countries, making them the most widely supported development agenda in history. In this essay, we will provide a detailed overview of the MDGs, their main provisions, and their impact on global development.


The eight MDGs were:


1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

2. Achieve universal primary education

3. Promote gender equality and empower women

4. Reduce child mortality

5. Improve maternal health

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

8. Develop a global partnership for development

Each goal was accompanied by specific targets and indicators to measure progress. The MDGs represented a comprehensive framework for development that included social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The goals were also designed to be interlinked and mutually reinforcing, recognizing the complex and interconnected nature of development.


The MDGs were seen as a significant milestone in global development, as they brought together the international community in a shared commitment to reduce poverty and inequality. They provided a common language and framework for action and helped to mobilize resources and attention towards the most pressing development challenges. The MDGs also played a key role in shaping development policy and practice at the national and international levels.


Some of the key achievements of the MDGs include:


1. Reduction in poverty: The number of people living in extreme poverty (less than $1.25 a day) declined from 1.9 billion in 1990 to 836 million in 2015.


2. Improved access to education: The number of out-of-school children of primary school age dropped by almost half, from 100 million in 2000 to 57 million in 2015.


3. Improved maternal and child health: Maternal mortality declined by 45% and child mortality by 53% between 1990 and 2015.


4. Increased access to clean water and sanitation: 2.6 billion people gained access to improved drinking water sources between 1990 and 2015, and 2.1 billion people gained access to improved sanitation facilities.


5. Progress in fighting infectious diseases: The number of people newly infected with HIV declined by 40% between 2000 and 2015, and malaria mortality rates declined by 60% between 2000 and 2015.


Despite these achievements, the MDGs also faced several challenges and limitations. Some of these include:


1.  Limited focus on inequality: The MDGs focused primarily on reducing poverty and improving access to basic services, but did not pay sufficient attention to reducing inequality within and between countries.


2. Limited focus on environmental sustainability: The MDGs did not give enough attention to environmental sustainability, particularly in relation to climate change, biodiversity loss, and other environmental challenges.


3. Limited focus on human rights: The MDGs did not explicitly address human rights, including the right to development, the right to health, and the right to education.


4. Limited ownership and participation: The MDGs were primarily designed and driven by international donors and development agencies, with limited ownership and participation by national governments and civil society.


In 2015, the UN adopted a new development agenda, known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), to build on the achievements of the MDGs and address their limitations. The SDGs include 17 goals and 169 targets, covering a wide range of issues, including poverty, health, education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and peace and justice. The SDGs are also more inclusive, participatory, and rights-based, recognizing the importance of ownership.


3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS ( SDGs ) 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for global development until 2030. The SDGs consist of 17 goals with 169 targets aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring peace and prosperity for all. To achieve the SDGs, it is essential to have effective interventions, conventions, and policies in place.


Interventions refer to actions taken to address specific problems or achieve specific goals. In the context of the SDGs, interventions can take many forms, including policies, programs, projects, and initiatives. The effectiveness of an intervention depends on various factors, including the resources available, the target population, and the specific context in which it is being implemented. Interventions should be evidence-based, meaning that they should be informed by data and research that demonstrate their effectiveness.


Conventions are agreements or treaties that are negotiated and adopted by governments and international organizations. Conventions play a critical role in achieving the SDGs by providing a framework for cooperation and collaboration between countries. For example, the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2015, aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement provides a framework for countries to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.


Policies are guidelines or principles that are adopted by governments to guide decision-making and action. Policies can be used to promote the SDGs by setting targets, defining priorities, and allocating resources. For example, a country may adopt a policy to increase investment in renewable energy to promote SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Policies should be aligned with the SDGs and should promote sustainable development by balancing economic, social, and environmental considerations.


To ensure that interventions, conventions, and policies are effective in promoting the SDGs, it is essential to have strong monitoring and evaluation systems in place. Monitoring and evaluation involve tracking progress towards the SDGs, assessing the effectiveness of interventions, and making adjustments as needed. Monitoring and evaluation can help identify areas where progress is slow or where interventions are not working as intended. This information can be used to make informed decisions about where to allocate resources and how to adjust policies and interventions to better achieve the SDGs.


In conclusion, effective interventions, conventions, and policies are critical to achieving the SDGs. Interventions should be evidence-based, conventions should provide a framework for cooperation, and policies should promote sustainable development. Strong monitoring and evaluation systems are essential to ensure that interventions, conventions, and policies are effective in promoting the SDGs. By working together and taking a comprehensive approach, we can make progress towards a more sustainable and equitable world.




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