A/HRC/19/70 and empower disabled persons to realize their potential. But, in practice, access to resources had been denied to them. In developing countries, the situation was worse because of the poor social and economic conditions. From a human rights perspective, development problems must address disabilities, and many institutions now applied a human rights-based approach. It was only by empowering all that poverty could be reduced and the MDGs achieved. Applying a human rights-based approach to development and disability was about removing barriers and changing attitudes. Regrettably, programming processes often did not take disability into account and there was a general lack of knowledge around the issue and political will. 29. Fareda Banda, Professor, School of Oriental and African Studies, expressed concern at the slow progress in terms of development for women. She referred to the various normative achievements in relation to women and development. Women continued to bear the burden of child-rearing and day-to-day life. Maternal mortality remained a pressing concern. Development programmes that were not sensitive to issues of gender often had a more adverse impact on women, for instance, in relation to access to water and sanitation. She particularly referred to the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women, adopted in 2003, which came close to indicating exactly what development and sustainable development should look like for women. Ms. Banda highlighted the need to implement article 8 of the Declaration on the Right to Development. In her view, there was no need to introduce new normative frameworks but instead to consider how existing policies and standards could take effect. 30. Hector Alejandro, International Movement ATD Fourth World, speaking on young people seeking to restore human rights, underlined the importance of listening to the voice of the poor. He referred to his personal experience and to the ATD Fourth World street library project, through which much was discovered about the lives of the local young people and their social problems. Through this project, young people also came to discover the realities of their country. It was important to factor the voices of poor people, especially the youth, into laws and policies. The poor had to be recognized as actors for change. It was also important to see the impact of underdevelopment and poverty on communities. In order to achieve real development, it was necessary to develop and strengthen holistic policies. Change must affect the daily lives of people. There must be dialogue among all concerned, so that everyone’s realities could be taken into account. 31. The above presentations were followed by an interactive debate with interventions by representatives of Qatar, the Association of World Citizens and Mexico. The interventions described national efforts to realize the right to development, highlighting in particular measures to empower women and strengthen the equality of men and women. Another example drew attention to community efforts leading to an increase in public health spending. Another national experience built on the notion of implementing development as a human right, aimed at sustainable human development. 32. In concluding remarks, the panellists expressed, inter alia, concern over the need for a legally binding instrument on the right to development. It was underlined that services provided by institutions to persons with disabilities were not met once they returned to live in their communities, which posed a problem. As concerned the element of participation, it was highlighted that persons with disabilities positioned themselves as economic and social players; they wanted to be productive and participate. In Africa, much progress had been made in the sphere of political participation of disabled persons, and there were many persons with disabilities in governmental and political positions. It was recommended that all countries ratify the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. As concerned the possibility of elaborating an African protocol for persons with disabilities, care should be taken not to compromise global standards. In implementing international standards, it was important to internalize their provisions, understand them, break down the content of 11