The Doha International Conference on Disability and Development will be held on 7–8 of December 2019, under the guidance and patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, a global advocate for the SDGs, and Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work and its affiliated civil society centers. 

The overall theme of the conference is “Harnessing the Power of Sustainable Development Agenda to Advance the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities.” The key visionary item on the agenda of the conference focuses on how to rationalize, consolidate, contextualize, and streamline the nexus between the UN SDGs and the UN CRPDs, based on the co-production of social policy between civil societies and governments. In order to achieve meaningful structural change that leads to the successful achievement of inclusive equality.

This endeavor will more than likely ignite a visionary 21^st century approach that will positively impact all 1.5 billion persons with disabilities.

The conference will be of intrinsic interest to a range of international community actors involved in sustainable development. An opportunity to bring together the collective authentic voice of persons with disabilities, important actors in the UN system and regional systems responsible for human rights, sustainable development and development assistance, as well as innovative practice from around the world. A global platform where disability organizations, policymakers, governments, bi-lateral, multi-lateral and civil society organizations, experts, academics and other relevant stakeholders can share their views and experience on how best to combine the two approaches for a disability-inclusive future.

This event is premised to form a global platform where disabled people’s organizations voice their authentic human rights, policymakers, governments, bi-laterals and multi-laterals and civil society organizations, experts, academics and other relevant stakeholders from all around the world will share their views and experience regarding ways and means of getting the best from the two approaches working together for the disability-inclusive future.

The landmark outcome of the conference would be a Doha Declaration that will form a core reference point internationally for policy development on human rights and sustainable development in the context of disability.

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work

In a desire to contribute to the country’s human and social development and in earnest belief in the importance of developing a self-confident society that boasts positive values and behavior, the Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) was established in July 2013 by Her Highness Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser, the Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work.

Qatar Foundation for Social Work is a private public-benefit institution, established in accordance with the provisions of Decree-Law No. 21 of 2006 on private public-benefit institutions and its amendments.

The foundation’s main purpose is to develop the civil society organizations operating under its umbrella, strengthen and advance their capacities and develop and activate their role in society. Additionally, Qatar Foundation for Social Work develops strategies, policies and programs that contribute to the advancement of these organizations in order for them to achieve their desired objectives, in accordance to the spirit of the Constitution, Qatar 2030 Vision, the National Development Strategy, the principles of human rights, international conventions and agreements and other national, regional and international standards that have been ratified by the State of Qatar.

The civil society organizations working under the umbrella of the Qatar Foundation for Social Work are:

• Aman: The Protection & Social Rehabilitation Center
• Wifaq: Family Consulting Center
• Dreama: The Orphan Care Center
• Ehsan: The Center of Empowerment and Elderly Care
• Al Shafallah: Center for Persons with Disability
• Best Buddies Qatar
• NAMA: Center for Youth and Entrepreneur Empowerment
• Al Noor Center for the Blind

• To highlight the main issues and challenges faced by persons with disabilities and review major global experiences that have helped in overcoming such obstacles.
• To invest in the integration and intersection of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to adopt a global advocacy plan.
• To highlight the rights of persons with disabilities at the top of the International Development Agenda.
• To underscore the commitment of Qatar towards the recognition and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities and the adoption of an inclusion policy to secure their participation opportunities.
• To launch the "Doha Declaration" which will mark a milestone in “Harnessing the Power of Sustainable Social Development to Advance the Human Rights of Persons with Disabilities”.

The main outcome of the conference would be the "Doha Declaration", which will contain clear guidance and a roadmap for the international community on how to carry forward individual rights alongside appropriate and sustainable social development. 

Several impacts can be envisaged as follows:

• Framing Global Policy Perspectives
• Informing Regional Policy Impact
• Empowering Advocacy through Civil Society engagement
• Driving Reform Efforts at the National Level

The Doha International Conference on Disability and Development 2019 (DICDD) is organized and hosted by Qatar Foundation for Social Work (QFSW) in collaboration with its affiliated centers, as well as a number of strategic partners at local and international levels, under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Founder of Qatar Foundation for Social Work.

International Partners:

• United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)
• International Disability Alliance (IDA)
• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

Local Partners:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
• Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour & Social Affairs (ADLSA)
• Qatar Planning and Statistics Authority (PSA)
• Doha International Family Institute (DIFI)
• Mada‭ – ‬Assistive Technology Center Qatar (MADA)

The Doha International Conference on Disability and Development (DICDD) is set to take place from 7–8 December 2019 at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). Visit Website