A/HRC/16/38 33. The Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) declared the period 2003-2014 the Arab Decade of Persons with Disabilities in 200435. In the context of poverty reduction, the Arab Decade identifies the following objectives: (a) reducing unemployment among people with disabilities; (b) intervening to limit poverty through poverty reduction strategies and ensuring that the incidence of disability does not increase due to poverty; (c) implementing rehabilitation programmes in poor areas to help lowincome families deal positively with persons with disabilities and working towards developing and improving the intellectual abilities and skills of persons with disabilities; (d) offering loans to persons unable to work and to those with severe disabilities to ensure a dignified existence, and financial assistance to those who can work until they find employment36. 34. The European Commission (EC) seeks to apply a twin-track approach in its development cooperation efforts related to disability. The European Action Plan 20082009 established the responsibility for improving the mainstreaming of disability issues in development aid. The European Commission addresses disability and development on the basis of its Guidance Note on Disability and Development, which provides advice on how to address disability within the context of development cooperation. It explicitly recognizes that poverty reduction goals “cannot be met without considering the needs of disabled people”37. However, its implementation remains a challenge38. The EC co-financed a project on “Mainstreaming Disability in Development Cooperation” comprising cooperation with 12 non-governmental organizations, DPOs, local entities and the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Since 2000, it has targeted 82 partner countries. Currently, the EC is preparing a new European Disability Strategy, the main objective of which is to implement the Convention in Europe. 35. The Council of Europe is implementing its Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 (CAHPAH). The fundamental goal is to help Member States reinforce anti-discriminatory measures in order to enhance equal opportunities and independent living for persons with disabilities and guarantee their freedom of choice, full citizenship, and active participation in the life of the community, among other goals39. The Council of Europe has also published about 60 reports and comparative analyses, providing useful instruments for the transfer of knowledge and for social benchmarking40. D. Cooperation in partnership with civil society organizations 36. Organizations of persons with disabilities should be actively consulted in the area of international cooperation and have the possibility of participating meaningfully and effectively in international cooperation efforts41. Further, States and intergovernmental organizations have a role in assisting DPOs to build the capacity of persons with disabilities to claim their rights under the Convention. Civil society organizations themselves have a 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 12 See www.escwa.un.org/. On the Arab Decade, see www.friendsfordisabled.org.lb/ArabDecadeEnglish.pdf See www.friendsfordisabled.org.lb/ArabDecadeEnglish.pdf. See Guidance Note on Disability and Development, European Commission, July 2004 at http://ec.europa.eu/development/body/publications/docs/Disability_en.pdf. According to the Dutch Coalition on Disability and Development, the principles stipulated in the Guidance Note are not put into practice. See www.dcdd.nl/default.asp?action=article&id=4254. See report “Disability and International Cooperation and Development: A review of Policies and Practices”, the World Bank and Cooperazione Italiana allo Sviluppo, June 2010. Idem. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 3.