In the period from June 2017 – July 2018 NSIOM, supported by UNICEF, implemented a project for strengthening the capacity of its members. The project is a part of the activities that the European Disability Forum – EDF is realising as a partner in a larger regional UNICEF project “Protecting children from violence and promoting social inclusion of children with disabilities in the Western Balkans and Turkey”.
Within the project, NSIOM has organized the four foreseen training workshops for capacity building of its members. The first workshop “Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” was held in Skopje, 24 – 26 September 2017. EDF provided the trainers, Janina Arsenieva, UNCRPD expert and Gunta Anca, EDF Secretary General. The second workshop “Monitoring of human rights obligations” was held in Skopje, 10 – 12 September 2017. EDF provided the trainer Janina Arsenieva – UNCRPD expert.
The workshops offered the participants possibilities for clear understanding of the human rights-based approach to disability and of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, improved ability to critically assess national law and policy in light of the Convention and to use the Convention in strategic advocacy. Also, improved capacity to promote the human rights-based approach and better knowledge of the frameworks and methodologies of the monitoring process in regard to the human rights of persons with disabilities.
The third workshop “Planning inclusive communities” was held in Skopje in the period 11 – 13 May 2018. The trainer was Radosh Keravica, expert on local disability action planning in the region of Western Balkans. This training was focused on the process of decentralization, the responsibilities of the local authorities and local disability action planning, on how to create coalitions with stakeholders and how to establish cooperation with local self-governments.
The fourth workshop “Inclusive education” was organised in Skopje, 8 – 10 June 2018. Trainers were Ljiljana Simic and Sanja Miloradovic, consultants on inclusive education with extensive regional expertise. The workshop was aimed to increase the knowledge of the participants about the inclusive education process, including its basic philosophy, elements and stages, the conceptual framework and the practical issues affecting implementation of inclusive education. Also, to enhance participants’ abilities to advocate for needed solutions in the field of education of children and persons with disabilities, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
