Government Policy in Social Inclusion (COSP19 Side Event)

So good afternoon, everyone, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, representatives of the Organizations of Persons with Disabilities, colleagues from civil society, the United Nations System, and development partners.
On behalf of the permanent mission of Timor Less to the United Nations, I warmly welcome you to the side event entitled From Ratification to Implementation, Timor-Leste Experience in Advancing the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This event is organized by Timor-Leste in cooperation with Australia and Portugal.
The margins of the 90th session of the Conference of State parties to the Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Tim more or less acceded to the CRPD and its optional protocol in January 2023, reaffirming its commitment to promoting, protecting, and fulfilling the rights of persons with disabilities.
Since then, the government has continued to strengthen policies, institutional coordination and programs aimed at advancing disability inclusion.
We have three distinguished speakers in front of me, as you might see from the name tags here.
First of all, the Vice Minister for social solidarity and social inclusion.
We also have the Madam Secretary of State of Portugal, and Senora Clara Marcos Mendez, and also miss Sally Ann Henry, Assistant Secretary for the Gender Equality of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Australia.
It's now my pleasure.
It's now my pleasure to introduce the Vice Minister of Social Story solidarity and inclusion of Tim Oleste, Madame Sebritis.
Thank you, Ambassador.
Good afternoon, Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Thank you for joining.
This event organized by the Permanent mission of more or less to the United Nations.
We are particularly grateful to our distinguished panelists and representatives from Portugal, Madame Clara Marcos Mendez, Secretary of State for Social Inclusion and pardon me, Social Action and Social Inclusion, and miss Sally Anne Henry, Assistant Secretary for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia for their participation and continued support.
I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Portugal on the election to the non permanent seat of U United Nations Security Council, as well for the National Day Day 10th of June, known as Oda de de Portugal.
Excellencies.
This event provides an important opportunity to share tiles progress, challenges, and lessons learned in implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with disability and to exchange experiences on advancing disability, inclusion, and social protection.
I will start off with a show of a slide presentation, followed by a four minute movie on the programs that we have on Apoyo Ponta Ponto.
Self business social business.
Self business.
Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you.
On the country context and commitment, Timor-Leste is firmly committed to implementing the CRPD, which we ratified in 2023.
This important milestone is strengthening our national legal and policy framework to promote disability inclusion and protect the rights of persons with disability across all sectors of development.
According to the 2022 National Population Census, Timor-Leste is home to more than 17,000 persons with disability, representing approximately 1.4% of the total population of 1.5 million.
Every year, Timor-Leste commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disability on 3rd of December across all 13 municipalities, promoting awareness, participation, and inclusion.
The Constitution of Timorlesy guarantees equal rights and opportunities for persons with disability under its Article 16 and 21.
To advance disability inclusion, the government has established key policy frameworks, including the National policy for the inclusion and Promotion of the rights of persons with disability implemented in 2012, and the National Disability Action Plan, 2021, 2030, introduction of disability inclusion, budget market to strengthen disability response planning and budgeting across government institutions.
Yes.
And the Ministry of Social Solidarity and inclusion serves as the lead institution coordinating with 11 line ministries to monitor implementation, evaluate progress, and prepare reports to the CRPD committee.
Time more or less the session to the CRPD followed an inclusive national process.
In May 2022, the government approved resolutions supporting accession to the convention and its optional protocol.
In July 2022, the National Parliament ratified both instruments, followed by prolongation by the president of the Republic.
On January 17th, 2023, Timor Oleste deposited its instrumental accession with the United Nations Secretary-General and officially became a state party to the convention.
The convention entered into force for Timor Oleste on 16 February 2023.
In March 2023, the National Parliament also allocated 4th of July as the National Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Since ratifying the CRPD, Timor-Leste has undertaken important legislative policies and programmatic reforms to strengthen disability inclusion.
These include new policies, action plans, social protection measures, and institutional mechanism that support the realization of the rights of persons with disability.
The following slides highlight some of the key achievements.
The government remains committed to celebrating both the International Day of Persons with Disability on 3rd of December and the National Day of Persons with Disability on 4th of July.
In 2025, approximately 700 persons with disability participated in the International Day celebration while 189 participated in the National Day activities.
The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion also implement awareness raising activities, including home visits, mobility assessments, health care assistance, humanitarian support, and technical review meetings under the National Disability Action Plan.
These efforts contribute to the implementation of Article 8 of the CRPD on awareness raising.
In this slide illustrates the active participation of senior government leaders, including our Prime Minister, as you can see there, and senior officials and cabinet members in disability related national events.
Their engagement demonstrates the government's commitment to promote inclusion at the highest political level.
We are also encouraged to positive examples of disability inclusion within public institutions.
Following the ratification of CRPD, the president of the Republic appointed a person with Erie impairment as the advisor to the Office of the President, reflecting the principles of meaningful participation and representation.
Economic empowerment remains a priority.
Through the decree law number 22-2024, the government allocates approximately 40,000 annually to support self employment and small business initiatives for persons with disability.
2024-2025, a total of 307 beneficiaries benefit from this fund.
Many have successfully established a small business, including retail shops, fisheries, embroidery enterprises, culinary services, and electronic repair workshops.
These initiatives contributes to the implementation of Article 19 of CRPD as living independently and being included in the community and the progress in the program has been significantly successful in line with the priority program of the ninth Constitutional government.
The government continues to promote inclusive education through targeted social protection and education policies.
The Conditional mothers Allowance Program, or we call it in Portuguese, Balsa Ma conditional supports vulnerable families with children with disabilities, helping them access primary and secondary education.
In addition, the Ministry of Education has strengthened the implementation of the National Inclusive Policy.
The National inclusive P Sign Language.
This has been introduced at the national level.
As a result, approximately 100 students with disabilities access higher education 2023-2025 and many of them I study measuring in law studies, social inclusion, and teacher.
This initiative contribute to the implementations of articles six, seven, and 24 of the CRPD relating to women, children, and education.
The government continues to strengthen social protection through a disability pension scheme providing $60 per month.
In 2025, more than 10,800 persons with disability benefit from this program.
The National Rehabilitation Center also provides physical rehabilitation therapy, mobility support, and assistive services to thousands of beneficiary annually.
In addition, the Ministry of Youth Sports, art and culture supports the participation of persons with disability in international competition, including the Asean Para Games and Special Olympics.
These efforts contribute to Article 20, 26, and 28 of the CRPD.
The government recognizes the important role played by civil society and organizations of persons with disability.
Through the legal regime for social solidarity institution, financial support is provided to 38 social solidarity institution, including 12 organization that focus on people with disability.
In 2025, approximately 2 million was allocated to support this organization and their services, including 500 500,000 for the organizations that deals with people with disability with 25% allocated of this budget.
Many disability organizations are led by persons with disability themselves, demonstrating the principles of participation and leadership.
As we can see from the slide, according to data from the Ministry of Social Solidarity and inclusion, 20 organizations of people with disability in Timor-Leste existing or less than 75% receive financial support from the government and 25% are financed from international partners like the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia, the European Union, Oxfam, US ID, ICA, and so forth.
This initiative contributes directly to Article 28 of the CRPD on an adequate standard of living and social protection.
In 2025, the government established an inter ministerial technical working group comprising of 11 ministries to prepare team or less initial report to CRPD committee.
The process included consultations with government institutions, organizations of persons with disability, development partners and stakeholders at both national and municipal levels.
Technical support was provided by UN Women, OACHR, UNICEF, and disability focal points across government institutions.
The initial report was submitted to the CRPD committee in December 2025, and we look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue with the committee in Geneva in March 2027.
Excellencies.
While significant progress has been made, we recognize that important challenges remain.
These include strengthening accessibility, inclusive education, health care, employment opportunities, transportation, rehabilitation services, and disability disaggregated data systems.
Team or less remains committed to working closely with member states, development partners, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons with disability to address these challenges.
We invite all partners to continue sharing experiences, innovations, and good practices as we work together to advance inclusive social protection and disability inclusion.
Together, we can build societies where all people, including persons with disability can participate fully, enjoy their rights equally, and live with dignity.
Obrigadobar, thank you.
Coming up, we'll show a small a four minute video on our program on sustainable Ipment empowerment, business empowerment.
The ninth Constitutional government's priority program is to create opportunities for people with disabilities to live a better life and be economically independent.
The Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, MSSI self sustainable economic Program aims to support persons with disability and their families to improve the economy.
This strategy is in line with SDG's priorities such as poverty reduction and reducing hunger.
They all sang very much MCC for how we have all all ready.
Ob for one, disc Nutchita Prid Hala Kohala, you got my house, how much spuram ram, Halahaten or how many economic and independent Thank you very much, Vice Minister, for sharing Tim Olestes valuable experience and for outlining the progress achieved, as well as the challenges remain ahead.
Tim Oleste greatly values its longstanding friendship and cooperation with Portugal, particularly in advancing social inclusion and the protection of human rights.
It's now my pleasure to invite Her Excellency, misses Clara Marques Mendez, Secretary of State for Social Action and Inclusion of Portugal to share Portugal's reflection on disability, inclusion, and also cooperation with Tim Oleste.
Thank you very much.
I would like to start by congratulating the Vice Ministers, the Secretary of State, the ambassador, Excellence distinguished participants.
Allow me to thank Timor-Leste for inviting Portugal to be in this side event and share experiences and what Portugal has been doing in the area of persons with disabilities.
And thanks for the best wishes offered to Portugal.
The Portuguese government has been paying particular attention to public policies related to disability, and I would therefore like to share some of the measures we have been implementing.
Allow me to start by mentioning the national strategies for the rights of Persons with Disabilities 2026 2030 approved last March as an instrument that reaffirms the importance of the convention as a central reference for our public policies and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Centered on autonomy, accessibility, and full participation throughout the life cycle.
This strategy sets out the path we intend to follow in public policies on disabilities and is the guiding document of our action.
These strategy has been adopted together with action plans setting out targets, indicators, and defined responsibilities.
The strategies was built together with organizations of persons with disabilities, local communities, as well as a world government approach.
With this strategy, we have set four priorities first.
We have strengthened the human rights based approach, promoting independent living.
We have been working on the implementation of the independent living Support Service, a measure that requires significant investment in human rights and funding, but we believe it is a very important step towards the autonomy of persons with disabilities.
The Independent Living Support Service has been integrated into the social protection system, and there are currently 35 independent living support centers in operation.
By the end of this year, we will expand this service and therefore achieve nationwide coverage.
Second, we have prioritized the promotion of accessibility, and here I would like to emphasize that accessibility Both physical and communicational is an essential aspect of promoting independence and autonomy, which is why we are reviewing the legal framework for accessibility.
To promote communication accessibility, one example is the recent creation of a sign language center for the entire public administration, which supports deaf people in accessing public services.
Third, we have made a commitment to inclusive education.
Our experience has shown that the main challenge is no longer guaranteeing access to school, but ensuring high quality, inclusive educational pathways that prepare students for adult life and full participation in society.
We are therefore committed to consolidating a model of inclusive education at all levels of schooling.
We are implementing accessibility and inclusion plans in all schools, combining pedagogical, curricular, and physical adaptations with strong involvement of families and support services.
Okay.
Still in the field of inclusive education, we have seen a consistent increase in the number of students covered by these measures, as well as the number of students with disabilities in higher education, which is a positive sign of the evolution of the education system in the inclusive education.
Fourth, we are committed to promoting employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Employment is indeed a cornerstone of the lives of persons with disability, which is why the promotion of inclusive employment and raising awareness among businesses and institution is fundamental.
Other important measures that I would like to mention is diversifying community based support.
Responses that are really inclusive.
We have also improved the allocation of benefits to persons with disabilities through digitalization so that we can also simplify procedures and better attribution of benefits.
Training of public administration staff was also a big commitment of the Portuguese government and also promoting access to culture was part of the policy of the government, increasing the accessibility of cultural provision.
And we have also recently implemented free tickets for Companions of persons with disabilities to cultural events.
Finally, I would like to share that we are now beginning to draw up the institutionalization plan The plan is included in the National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities, and this plan will be prepared in collaboration with organizations of persons with disabilities, academia, experts, and persons with disability themselves, which aims to find solutions for persons with disabilities to live independently.
This is our path and we want to strengthen it.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Madam Secretary of State, for insightful remarks and reflections on Portugal experience in dealing with issues of disability inclusion and the policies of the government on the same topic.
Of course, international partnerships are essential in supporting countries to translate commitments under the CRPD into practical outcomes.
I'm pleased now to invite miss Sally Anne Henry, Assistant Secretary for Gender Equality and Gender Inclusion with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia to share her reflections and experiences.
The floor is yours.
Thank you, Excellency's distinguished guests, ambassador, Vice Minister Britesh, Madam Secretary of State.
I'd like to thank the Government of East Timor-Leste day for hosting this important event.
It's a privilege to be here as we reaffirm and deepen our partnership at a significant global moment, the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This anniversary, marked here this week in New York at cost 19, calls on all of us to renew our commitment to the full realization of rights, dignity, and inclusion for people with disabilities everywhere.
Australia's International Disability Equity and rights strategy, which was launched by our foreign minister in November 2024, is grounded in the same vision.
It commits us to advancing disability equity as a core pillar of our international engagement, recognizing that inclusive societies are fundamental to our shared peace, prosperity, and security.
Timor-Leste and Australia share a strong and enduring commitment to ensuring all people can participate equally in society.
We know that people with disability and Timor-Leste face challenges as they do in Australia and around the world.
These include discrimination, stigma, and exclusion, as well as reduced access to education, employment, health services, and public infrastructure.
The consequences of this are profound, higher rates of poverty, poorer health and social outcomes, and limited opportunity.
We're reminded that 72% of children with disability in Team Oleste do not attend school, a stark illustration of the unfinished work before us.
Yet, as Southeast Asia's newest nation and now Asean's newest member, congratulations to Team Oleste.
Team Oleste's determination to build an inclusive state is both striking and inspiring.
In line with the convention principles of participation, non discrimination, and accessibility, Team Oleste has made significant strides in embedding disability rights into its national frameworks.
It's moving decisively from localized responses to systematic reform, positioning disability inclusion at the heart of its human rights and development agenda.
Central to this progress has been a vibrant and politically engaged disability movement, and I'm sure there are some people in the room today.
Organizations of persons with disabilities are increasingly shaping policy, strengthening accountability, and ensuring that reform is informed by lived experience, a core principle of both the CRPD and Australia's international development strategy.
Australia is proud to have partnered with the government of Timor-Leste and the disability community to support these Tes led achievements.
Together, we have supported the development and implementation of the Disability National Action Plan, the integration of disability screening tools into health and education systems, and improved budget transparency through disability budget markers.
Our support to organizations of persons with disability has also strengthened their voice and influence, and this is really critical, enabling greater participation in government coordination mechanisms and supporting the development and community validation of Team O Lste's national Sign Language.
These efforts reflect a shared commitment to rights based locally led development, which sits at the center of Australia's international disability equity and rights strategy.
Through this partnership, we've learned that transformative change requires persistence.
Shifting entrenched social norms and strengthening institutions takes time.
Sustained investment and trust.
We've also learned the importance of policy coherence, aligning systems, financing, and governance to deliver inclusive outcomes.
A strong example of this is our cross program collaboration.
Australia's investments in human development, governance, and community development have worked together with teams partners to support the introduction of disability budget markers.
The inclusion of these markers in the 2026 state budget represents a landmark achievement.
It places Team or ste at the forefront of global practice as only the second country to adopt such measures and the first to apply a disability rights based approach.
This is exactly the kind of structural reform envisioned under the convention, embedding inclusion not as an afterthought, but as a core principle of public finance and decision making.
Looking ahead, Australia will deepen its efforts through the Australia Team Oleste Development Partnership Plan, which places gender equality and disability inclusion at its core.
As announced by our prime minister earlier this year, we're investing in inclusive, high quality health, education, and disability services across Team Oleste.
Our new ten year $220 million human development initiative reflects Australia's commitment to long term system wide change.
At its core will be the locally led development hub, a practical expression of our strategies, commitment to shifting power and resources to local actors.
The hub will strengthen the leadership of community organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities, expand their direct access to funding, and build capacity without reliance on international intermediaries.
In doing so, it advances localization and inclusion, ensuring that those closest to the challenges are best placed to drive solutions.
Australia will continue to work with the government of Team O Leste to implement the National Disability Action Plan, ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to services and equal opportunities to shape their futures.
As we mark the 20 years of the CRPD, We're reminded that commitments must translate into outcomes.
Progress on disability rights is not only a matter of justice, it's essential to economic growth, social cohesion, and long term stability.
For T O Les day, accelerating disability inclusion and gender equality will be critical to ensuring that development benefits all citizens.
To conclude, for Australia being a reliable and principled partner means advancing these priorities consistently, guided by our shared values and by the voices of people with disabilities themselves.
Together, we can build societies where no one is left behind, where the rights are realized, participation is meaningful and opportunity is shared.
Australia is proud to stand by Tim Oleste.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you very much, miss Sh, for your valuable contribution and for Australia's strong support for disability, inclusive development and also you work with him more or less.
We've seen in this discussion of land of experiences from one least developed countries.
One considered upper middle income country in Europe, and then also we have other upper income country in the southern hemisphere that also works with the least developed countries.
So, I will now move on to interactive discussion and comments, questions and answers.
The purpose of this discussion is to exchange experiences, identify good practices and lessons learned, and explore how international cooperation can further strengthen implementation of the convention.
I would like to invite excellences delegates and participants to participate and interact.
Let me open the floor who would be strong enough to kick start.
Yes, please, sir.
Hello.
This is Jonas from Germany, from an NGO.
I just wanted to ask you, 1.4% sounded for me very little in terms of people with disabilities of your population.
Because as in Germany, for example, we have like 10%.
Could you elaborate how you count that or count that? Can you give us an idea of how well organized also civil society is or how other NGOs could help to use civil society to organize? I take one or more two questions or comments.
Yes, please.
Well, I just wanted to share the experience of El Salvador regarding with the attention to people with disabilities.
I feel like we have a lot of them in common because we are a small country in America and you are one small country in Asia.
I just believe that this information is so valuable for us because we as an institution, we are part of the Veterans and E Combatant Board.
The name could seem like we do not have anything to do with disabilities, but we do.
We work a lot with all the disabilities.
Because we absorbed those responsibilities this year.
We are new in this topic and I'm learning a lot of old experiences, and I see that you have a lot regarding education, and we're currently working on this in building a new public policy of disabilities.
So if you have any chance after this meeting to just talk about it and I can share this information with you, I will be very thankful for it.
Thank you very much.
Yes, please, ma'am.
Dear colleagues and organizers for organizing this great event.
On behalf of Turkmenistan, we would like to also mention about the national implementation and comment on the achievements in the implementation of CPRD.
Regarding Turkmenistan, we would like to concentrate on the children's rights at this convention.
In this context, we'd like to highlight the humanitarian work of the Gb Gliber the Mouhamed Charitable Foundation for assistance to children in need of care.
The foundation provides support to children required medical treatment, social care, and special assistance.
At the International Conference on the role of women in modern society held in December last year in Absa in Turkmenistan, the vice president of this foundation proposed to establish an international network of support centers for women and children, so called humanity hubs.
This initiative envisage centers that could provide medical and psychological assistance, safe learning spaces, social and legal support to children and mother, mothers who are in need of care and special assistance as well.
As a member of the United Nations Economic Social Council for 26 28, Turkmenistan will continue to support practical cooperation in this area as well and together with member states for sure.
You can count on us as well for our support.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much, Your Excellency and also through you would like to warmly welcome the Vice Minister, Secretary of State, and also Assistant Secretary and thank them for sharing their remarks.
Of course, Morocco, thanks your government for organizing this important side event.
And also for sharing your respective experiences, also intentions, ambitions, but also opening up on the challenges.
Your Excellency said it's right.
It's an unfinished business unfinished work to quote you rightly.
Of course, we give us a particular importance in Morocco on this matter.
It's at the very highest level of the state.
His Majesty, the king and also his sister, Royal Highness, the Princess, taking this matter in person.
But here as ambassador, the chair of the meeting said we need interaction, so I'm not going to read the statement that we read upstairs, but just to really commend here particularly Timor-Leste his continued commitment.
Social inclusion despite the many challenges.
As you presented them.
There are challenges.
As a young developing nation as you rightly define that.
I would add also including the geographical constraints, the climate change as well.
Of course, you said the limited resources, but I would add also the lack of capacities and equipment and technology.
And maybe for that, for example, in the case of Morocco, we work a lot and I'm sure that in many other countries, we work a lot of lots with the private sector, whether at the national level or international level.
Of course, here, the multilateral, the importance of north, south, south, south and triangle cooperation.
And one point that was mentioned up, but I would like to highlight it and deepen it a little bit is the data and disability markers, the benchmarks that are needed.
So whenever there is a policy and intention to work on something, of course, we need to identify the policies and the way forward and to monitor that.
With that, we need data and data needs capacity building, et cetera.
It's a vicious circle that we need to work on it.
We'll not maybe go a lot, but just to encourage continued cooperation.
Capacity building to support the efforts on small, medium, maybe Australia support each other.
But in the implementation of the CIPD One question, maybe how, for example, the three countries, especially Timor-Leste could take advantage of the AI beneficial for the persons with disabilities and to help them.
I was so touched by the gentleman in the video saying that, I can't just sit and watch.
I need to do something productive on the video.
This is a very touching and emotional sentence.
Maybe AI could be some where there is no material thing.
Maybe AI meanwhile, and here comes again the digital cap, et cetera, but we can help and found a solution with that.
We thank you again for sharing the opportunity to share good practices.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
This is a very good comment.
Please.
Good afternoon.
My name is Shauna Mala.
I'm a 17-year-old high school junior and the co founder, as well as chief operating officer of Autism P Voice, a youth led nonprofit.
I wanted to recognize the important work that the MSSI and international partners are doing in Timor-Leste.
Then my question to the panel is, as Timor-Leste and other countries continue developing action plans for CRPD implementation, how will young people and youth led organizations be given a meaningful voice in helping shape, implement, but also carry out social inclusion policies for persons with disabilities.
Thank you.
How do young people be given the chance to involve in these activities of social inclusion and so on? Please.
Thank you so much for the questions.
I'll start off with question number one on the data, how do we get the data? Every five years, Timleste holds a population census.
The data that I just mentioned here is based on the 2022 population census.
This is how we came up with the number of people with disability in the country because our population is 1.5 million.
1.4 is the number of people with disabilities in Tim Morleste.
On the young gentleman, will be happy we can discuss this after this meeting, how we can work together.
I thank you for your suggestion.
Turkistan.
Turkmenistan, yes.
Thank you also for extending your support.
Yes.
I think we can actually really sit or communicate.
Of course, I won't be here, but of course, the ambassador is here, how we can work, cooperate in this area with people with disabilities.
I thank you also for extending your support in this area.
Morocco.
On Morocco, the advantage for after watching that movie is, this is an area A one.
It's an area that we are working on on digitalization.
Also, we have to look into our network system.
We have an Internet, which is in terms of digitalization, we are in the process of improving our Internet.
But at the moment, it's still very slow, but we are working on digitalization with people disability in education also.
The young people.
MSSI has a department that deals directly with people with disability and this is our director that deals Dominguez, Mr.
Dominguez.
He's the person at the forefront of MSSI that works directly with people and he's been working with various groups, including youth group.
And he's a good director because he gets the whole community involved, particularly when it comes to consultations, when it comes to programs.
On this area of people with disability and he is the main person in front that goes out there and deals with it.
Yes, we do get the young people involved in any decisions they make.
For example, when we wrote our first initial report, we held a three month consultation or more, but involving not only at the capital, but we have the municipal, we have the administrative post, and we have the Scus and we have the Aldas.
We involved we have all representatives from each municipal, from each Aldi, from each Sc to be part.
To contribute to the report and government institution and civil societies and civil societies that really works that they focus on people with disabilities.
We have the civil society that are actually led by people with disability that we have five, one that deals with sign language, and we have five of them and they are very active.
The civil society intimos are very, very active.
So the youth are very much involved in any decision that we make the government makes actually involve the whole the whole society.
I hope I answered your question.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Madam Vice Minister, I think just to clarify, she referred to Her Excellency referred to Sku, she refers to the village and Hala, of course, the sub village.
So they are working down to that level.
I would like to invite Madam Thank you.
Even if I didn't receive a specific question to Portugal, I would like to add some comments and also share some of our experiences of the themes that were touched upon.
At the outset, I want to strengthen the importance of inclusive education.
Well, It's with great satisfaction that we have understood that all participants asked on better understanding the path of countries related to inclusive education.
I can say that inclusive education is a fundamental aspect so that we can allow to combat inequalities, provide equal opportunities to young people and allow them to have a future and prepare for the world of work.
Inclusive education, of course, is part of a pathway and we have been strengthening it in Portugal.
The process needs to start at the very beginning and that's why in Portugal we have early intervention system which is a program starting 0-6-years-old.
That's why it's important to provide a wide approach not only involving social protection, but also involving health,ology psychological support, and involvement, also education.
This support, it's not only provided to children, but also together with their families.
It's a support provided together with families to qualify families and prepare them to work together because families are the are the cornerstone of the development of children.
That's why we are working to strengthen this response on providing more human resources because we have seen that it's providing results and also on young people in Portugal, we have a method of work on these kind of issues that a that is through an interconnected way, not only as a wall of government approach, but since we are also speaking about inclusion, we cannot speak only about social protection.
We have to speak about housing, we have to speak about education, health.
As you can see, it's a wall of government approach, but we have also made a commitment to hear communities, to hear youth and understand their needs.
So nothing about us without us and we have that understanding in Portugal.
We have an Institute for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Portugal, which is under the leadership of my government and this institute has also has been doing a lot of work in the area of work.
And in implementing the strategy on persons with disabilities.
It has been doing a lot of actions for youth with disabilities and I have been attending a lot of those meetings and that kind of participation is being done through hearing youth and asking them how we can better do our policies.
That's why it's important for us to involve young people because we are focused on the employability of youth, providing more access of young persons with disabilities on higher education, and nothing is better than hearing directly from them.
To conclude, of course, cooperation is very important so that we can be here and share best practices and see how we can implement what is being already tested in our countries and we can adapt in our own countries because this is the path that we have been doing and we know that despite having advancement on this area, there's still a lot of work to do.
And in Portugal, we are available to share best practices and also to learn from other countries and what other countries have been implementing.
Thank you very much for the opportunity.
To be here and thank Timor-Leste for this initiative.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam.
I think I just underlined one small sentence.
There's nothing about us without us.
Not a sober nose, say no.
I would like to actually offer directly to miss Ana.
Would you like say something? Perhaps just in response to your comments about the emerging challenges in AI and climate that all countries are facing at the moment and trying to grapple with Australia included.
I think we're just coming to terms with the implications of AI in our own institutions.
But I think that there's huge challenges, but also opportunities in the disability space, particularly in the assistive technology space.
Hearing aids, eyeglasses, mobility devices, use of mobile phones.
I think that there is potential to make good use of AI in that space.
On climate, the Australian government is really turned to take an intersectional cross cutting approach to our development assistance, not just looking at disability on its own, but looking at that nexus between disability, gender, climate, humanitarian so that we can maximize the limited funding that we have.
I like the limited funding conclusion.
Thank you very much, Madam Cani.
I see two actually people actually wanted to make comments and also one here.
Let's wrap it up with a list, please.
Good evening, everyone.
Thank you, the ministers, for your wonderful presentation in terms of the work you do with the governmental modesty.
I must comment on your progressive and right based approach in trying to have a policy implementation in the country with respect to people living with disability.
One of the salnt points that most of my sorry.
This is Professor Ada Akka from Observer Mission of Water and Sanitation here.
So one of the salent aspect is what we tend to forget at times, and I'm sure you highlighted seriously on that when they were talking about the sustainable developed, which is leave no one behind.
And I know that in most situations, especially with nations, we tend to neglect certain issues, especially in rural communities.
So my question is how best have your office carried on with women, especially women and children living in rural communities or timoles on issues of physical challenge and disabilities, bearing in mind the gender equality and disability inclusion that is included in some gender issues, especially with respect to safe mobility, employment opportunities, increased visibility and community decision making, and that concerns them and also economic inclusion.
How best do we carry on with those in rural demid areas who don't have availability of accessibilities to their well being.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Hello.
My name is Nicole Barth and I'm the local representative for Youth for Human Rights and United for Human Rights International here in New York.
I really wanted to start by saying, first of all, thank you so much to the permanent mission of Timor Olessi and all of the excellencies and panelists and truly everyone in the room.
I guess my experience in my question is both personal and professional because I have a sibling who has an intellectual disability.
I'm curious what the most successful actions you have on the panel and especially in Timor Llessi for helping those who would most benefit from these assisted programs that you're implementing to really understand them.
Because one of the things that at least in my family and I've noticed and those that I've helped as well, the intake process can be above the level of comprehension for the person who needs it and so making them understandable or reducing the gradient of intellectual necessity required to apply, I think is very important and also strengthens that concept of human rights, which you've done an excellent job of protecting, especially in Timor-Leste.
I also just wanted to thank you all and also encourage you all to attend the International Youth for Human Rights Summit happening here in partnership with Timor-Leste and Youth for Human Rights.
Thank you, and I'm very interested in any successful actions that you have.
Thank you, Nicole.
Yes.
Perfect.
Thank you.
I represent the Foundation for post conflict development globally and thank you all for the time.
I think we've talked a lot about measuring success based on economic indicators.
I was curious if anyone on the panel would be able to share any specific metrics or outcomes that you believe actually best capture whether a society itself is genuinely becoming more inclusive.
Outside of economic indicators, are there any metrics or outcomes that any of your countries are looking for in terms of, is the society as a whole becoming more inclusive? Thank you.
I'll just actually refer to the panel to address some of your points.
Please, Madam, you can begin.
On the question of Madame Ada, yes, we do have a Secretary of States that deals with women also.
And on the matters of women in remote area and children, we do work closely with our local authorities.
We do today I mentioned, we have the municipals, the administrative posts, we have the Skus and the village, like the ambassador said, is sub municipals, and we work closely with the local authority.
And we also have CE that also takes care of the women affair.
But from the Minister of Social Solidarity and inclusion, we do have a Our social workers, technical social workers working at the administrative post only here, but we don't have at these two levels.
But what they do, our social workers work together with the local authorities.
If there are any problems, they will communicate to the social worker at administrative post, and then action will take from there.
Also, yes, of course, it's remote areas behind remote areas, it's not easy.
If we have problems if we come across problems with health, we depend again on social authorities to come in and communicate at this level, to find a way to help.
If you have problems with violence, victims of violence, yes, it will be the social worker at this level.
It will be reported.
Of course, we get police involved, but then the social protection will also be involved also to take care of the matter.
It's all involved.
We do also have shelter homes to take care of women and children victims of violence.
We do have orphanage, but We would not call so much orphanage because in our culture, if a children lose their parents, usually we have the immediate family that takes care.
This orphanage actually they take care of children Most of them, they live in remote areas and which is so far for them to travel to attend school.
What they do, they go to this orphanage.
But this orphanage they don't house orphanages, so a big number is not so much orphans per se, but they are children that in fact needs to attend school, but they do travel.
We do have the institution which I mentioned today, we allocate 2 million of $2 million a year for institutions.
The institution, they are the one that actually helps the government.
The institution, they provide food, they provide activities for children.
But I am talking on vulnerable families.
These are the families children that do really go to this institution.
They go after school, before school, they go for activities that are provided by the institution.
It's a learning process also for them, and then they get the food before they go home.
We call it a TV dads.
Act.
It's activities that this institution provide for children.
Actually, the whole idea is to actually help them with their schooling and provide food for them before and after school.
We do have also the institutions that are government fund that takes care of abandoned families, abandoned elders because now we are also facing problems with abandoned elders because the whole family they come to town to work and the elders are left in remote areas.
It's this institution that actually goes to do home visits to ensure that they are they are taken care in terms of food, in terms of health, and that they get a constantly visit, but they are well taken care of.
But they don't go do it daily because it is so remote in some areas, the visit is implemented once a week only.
And also we have the subsidy.
We have an allowance for the elders.
The allowance has been altered for the past five years.
So the latest alteration for the amount was back in 2024 in January and each person above the age of 60 gets $60 above the age per month, above the age of 70 gets $80 and above the age of 80 gets $100 a month.
And payments are made through their bank accounts, but then we're going back to remote areas.
So we negotiate with the bank and the bank will go to the nearest Sco or Alda to make payments.
And for those that cannot really make it to the center, we negotiate with the bank to actually really go to their home and make their payments.
This is for the elders and today also I mentioned for the children, we have their allowance.
Besides that, in schools, we also have the lunch program lunch feeding programs for all schools and for all the schools in public schooling, the children, they do get free feeding program.
We call it Miranda in Portuguese.
They are entitled to and this is run by state and it's under the state administration authority that runs this food program and the food from local produce food.
I hope that I've answered your question.
Then we go to youth Yes.
With the intellectual disabilities.
Like I mentioned, we have the institution that really helps with with our children, particularly those that have to use the sign language.
We have teachers sign language, but very, very limited.
It's a very we only have a few in Timor-Leste.
But we managed to use the sign language that has been with the support from the government, but from one institution from the Philippines that went to Timor-Leste and together with our persons with disability, from their own initiative, they learned the sign language, and then they introduce the sign language into our own language.
They learn and they reorganize the language because we speak Portuguese official language.
We have tum as official language, but tum is a language in progress, and then we have two working language, which is English and which is the Indonesian language.
With a sign language, it was actually adopted into the reality of Timor-Leste language.
It was introduced by a Philippine NGO, went to Timur, they introduced the sign language which I think it's American.
Way.
But this institution for people with a Hearing and Death adopted the language to Timues language to Teton.
Not Portuguese, but we have Teton language.
This is how we have in this, but the institution really helps the government.
We have an institution that really takes care of children with disability and it's called the Alma Sisters.
It's a system that really focus on people with disabilities.
When you go there, the pope and the pope visit our country to more or less.
The Pope went specific to this institution, which is funded by the government but to take care of the children with disability.
Okay.
I think this is all my question.
I hope I did answer your questions.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
A general reflection, even if the questions were not directly posed to Portugal.
We have a set of responses diversified for persons with disabilities.
As I mentioned, we have measures for children 0-6 with intervention.
We have responses in inclusive education, we have responses for autonomy and inclusion and all these responses have the support of state guaranteeing that all responses are covered.
Through the census, we clearly understand the number of persons with disabilities so that we can better include them.
Then we also have a document called the social chart where we can identify the social responses that exist in Portugal and better understand where we have to invest more so that we can reach everyone and also which kind of support and allocations the state has to provide.
In terms of allocation, most of the support Except inclusive education that are in school and early intervention for children.
Most of the responses are in the social protection and social institution, and the state is paying an allowance to persons with disabilities, which is normally above 75% of the cost.
We have been in government for two years now, and I can only speak for the work we have been doing since we have been governing and so I can say that we are understanding how much the state can better support, especially persons in higher vulnerability and provide better support.
We also have a social protection for inclusion that is for every person with more than 65% of disability.
This percentage is set by a medical team that will determine the disability and that's the pathway for these persons with disability to apply for social protection systems.
The social protection allowances are increased When the state identifies a higher vulnerability, and that's a measure to combat poverty because we know that persons with disabilities and have difficulties to enter the labor market and they need more support.
We also have a system that we call SAPA, which is how we can allocate resources.
It's a project between the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education that will provide persons with disabilities, equipment, for example, a wheelchair, For their daily life and for their work, it's a support provided by the state that it's totally free, and we've been increasing it since 2020, 25, and it's over 40 million euros.
What we have been doing is clearly looking at the necessity and the needs of persons with disability through the support of the state.
And free support provided to persons with disability to exercise their life.
Briad.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, miss A.
I think we are running out of time.
I'm sorry, some of your questions might have been not addressed, but we can certainly discuss after this.
As we conclude the event today, allow me to summarize several key messages.
I think the CPRD provides an essential framework for advancing the rights of inclusion of persons with disabilities.
The experience of Tim has shown that some progress have been done to implement the convention of 2023, but also there are also a lot of challenges ahead that we continue to face.
I think a the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations remains fundamental to effective implementation.
It is a work that actually requires all of us to involve not only the public sector, but also the civil society.
I think the discussion here actually has shown that clearly the experiences of these small tiny country, but also the experience of Portugal and also Australia as one of the country that actually has all the facilities to meet the needs of these people.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Madame Sebrits Madam Helle Clara, Marcos Mendez, also miss Sally Anne, and all the participants for joining us today with your discussion, with your thoughtful interventions.
Of course, this is a work in progress and the work actually is part of our daily activities to be done not only now but in the future as well.
Thank you very much.
The meeting is adjourned.
A