On June 6th, the Dutch Coalition on Disability and Development (DCDD) held its first Network Meeting of 2024, focusing on harnessing expertise to drive stronger disability inclusion in development cooperation. Amidst the current challenges of shifting political landscapes, DCDD participants gathered at the VSO office in Utrecht with a shared commitment to leveraging their collective knowledge towards a more inclusive and equitable global society.
Setting the stage for collaboration
The meeting kicked off with a warm welcome from Erik Ackerman, DCDD’s Chairman, who set the tone for an engaging and collaborative discussion. Especially in these challenging political times, DCDD participants must share knowledge within and beyond the DCDD network to foster disability inclusion across the sector.
Updates on strategic goals
Multi-annual strategy
Lieke Scheewe from DCDD updated the network on our strategic goals, illuminating the path forward and emphasizing the importance of our working groups. These groups aim to capitalize on expertise in three key areas: fostering collaboration, serving as a Disability Inclusion Expertise Hub, and influencing policy within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Strategic partnerships
Micha Schutten from SeeYou presented updates on funding and partnerships, encouraging participants to explore opportunities for strategic collaborations and shared initiatives. He highlighted the importance of collective action in securing funding and driving impactful projects.
Lobby
Lisanne van der Steeg from the Liliane Foundation discussed our lobbying efforts, revealing a collective determination to ensure disability inclusion remains a prominent aspect of policy discussions. There are still opportunities to leverage influence in areas such as humanitarian aid and reconstruction, which can serve as a stepping stone to keep advocating for disability inclusion in broader development programs and policy agendas.
To wrap up the first part of the afternoon, attendees participated in an “Expertise Bingo,” a fun and interactive way to connect and learn from each other’s expertise within the network.
Disability Expertise Hub
DCDD is in the process of developing a Disability Inclusion Expertise Hub, a platform to share knowledge on disability inclusion. Paulien Bruijn from Into Inclusion led a session on the practical steps for establishing this Hub, including a brainstorming session on making expertise accessible and identifying immediate collaboration opportunities.
Attendee feedback echoed enthusiasm for collaboration, with useful ideas emerging from group discussions on shaping the Hub. Key takeaways included sharing resources, starting joint projects, and strengthening DCDD’s visibility in the development sector.
Appreciation and ready for action
As a token of appreciation, we gifted the book “Make Your Event Accessible” by Marianne Dijkstra, a DCDD participant from Geen Beperking Meer, to our VSO colleagues. We extend our heartfelt thanks to VSO for hosting us and taking such great care of us.
The DCDD network meeting in Utrecht was a significant step towards utilizing our collective expertise to promote stronger disability inclusion in the Dutch development sector. Let’s commit to turning our discussions into impactful initiatives, ensuring that disability inclusion is at the forefront of all development efforts. Together, we can make a lasting difference and pave the way for a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
