[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Csaba\u00a0K\u0151r\u00f6si<\/em>,<\/em> President of the 77th<\/sup> session of the General Assembly<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n —-<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Easy-to-Understand Communication <\/strong><\/p>\n 12 June 2023 <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n (As delivered)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Mr. Under-Secretary-General,<\/p>\n Madam Chairperson,<\/p>\n Excellencies,<\/p>\n Ladies and Gentlemen,<\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/p>\n It has been a privilege to convene this meeting on Easy-to-Understand Communication.<\/span><\/p>\n Our discussion today takes place on the margins of the \u201cConference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities\u201d or \u201cCOSP on CRPD\u201d.<\/p>\n Did you understand that?<\/p>\n Neither did I.<\/p>\n That is precisely why we meet today.<\/p>\n To make sure every one of us is able to understand why we meet, and why we do what we do.<\/p>\n Leaving aside the acronyms \u2013 we meet today to discuss what it means to foster Easy-to-Understand Communications.<\/span><\/p>\n Simply put, \u201cEasy-to-Understand Communications\u201d are a tool to make information accessible to all, particularlyfor people with intellectual disabilities. <\/span><\/p>\n These communication methods use jargon-free language, and simple imagery to illustrate content.<\/span><\/p>\n Here, at the United Nations, we tend to be everything but \u201ceasy to understand\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n The first step we need to take, at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, and at home, is to actively involve persons with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n We must ensure they play leading roles in the development of these types of communications \u2013 from the design to the final product.<\/span><\/p>\n This is not about ticking a box, nor focusing on physical accessibility only.<\/span><\/p>\n This is about recognizing that people with disabilities are themselves experts on their needs. <\/span><\/p>\n And we must remember that the spectrum of disability is so broad \u2013 we cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach.<\/span><\/p>\n By engaging in this work those whom we are trying to communicate with would protect their rights to seek and receive information and promote their freedom of speech. <\/span><\/p>\n Because, as said by the actress Emma Thompson, \u201cbeing disabled should not mean being disqualified.\u201d <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n But easy-to-understand communications are also a tool for a range of other people: <\/span><\/p>\n They may all benefit from straightforward ways of writing, reading, and speaking. <\/span><\/p>\n These methods not only contribute to the democratization of information, they also serve as an antidote to disinformation. <\/span><\/p>\n Ultimately, they lead to more inclusive discussions andbetter decision making.<\/span><\/p>\n For persons with disabilities to live independently, to participate fully in society, and for them to truly enjoy their freedoms and rights, we must start with access.<\/span><\/p>\n Accessibility is a prerequisite of equality.<\/span><\/p>\n Think of it: if some of us are unable to access information, how can they arm themselves with the knowledge they need to take decisions in their lives?<\/p>\n We must remove existing barriers to information and do our best to provide accessible services for each of the eight billion of us.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n It is called for in the Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that we agreed upon.<\/span><\/p>\n The inclusion of people with disabilities only brings us closer to our 2030 goals.<\/span><\/p>\n Closer to transformative change.<\/span><\/p>\n Closer to freedom and equality for all. <\/span><\/p>\n I trust that today\u2019s meeting and our landmark Conference will play a major role in that.<\/span><\/p>\n Dear Friends,<\/span><\/p>\n Let us prove that we heed the age-old wisdom of Confucius: \u201cIt does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.”\u00a0<\/p>\n I thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Csaba\u00a0K\u0151r\u00f6si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly —- Easy-to-Understand Communication 12 June 2023 (As delivered) Mr. Under-Secretary-General, Madam Chairperson, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Friends, It has […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":361,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Csaba K\u0151r\u00f6si, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly\r\n\r\n----\r\n\r\nMessage on the 75th anniversary of the World Health Organization (WHO)\r\n\r\n7 April 2023\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOn this World Health Day, I congratulate WHO on its 75th anniversary.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOver the course of its history, WHO has contributed to landmark achievements in public health, including the eradication of smallpox, the near eradication of polio and the expansion of childhood immunization, saving millions of lives.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nMore recently, WHO has played a key role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped galvanise the most complex vaccination campaign in history. Time and again, WHO has proved that investing in science lies at the heart of reaching our objective of a healthy and prosperous future.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHowever, the pandemic has disrupted essential health services in most of the countries, shortened life expectancy, and halted progress towards universal health coverage.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nHalfway through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we must redouble our efforts to achieve its goals. \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nAs we prepare for the upcoming high-level meetings on health in the General Assembly, let us seize this opportunity to reconfirm our collective pledges and chart new pathways for a healthy and sustainable future.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOn this day and every day, let us commit to achieve Health for All.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[111],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-254108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-statements","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"yoast_head":"\n\n