Our Advocacy

CBM advocates to change policies in favour of people that we work for. Why work on policy? Because policy shapes people’s lives and the planet, which we live in. We engage with policy makers and our partners in development at local, regional and global levels. Our advocacy work is supported by our experience in the field and evidence generated by our research. The goal of our advocacy work is to influence government and the sector for systemic and sustainable policy change that ensures inclusive development and humanitarian and climate action.

CBM Ireland is committed to building a world where all people with disabilities can enjoy their human rights and achieve their full potential. This cannot be achieved alone. Through advocacy, we amplify the voices of people with disabilities at various levels. Through our work, we demonstrate why other organisations – including governments and other NGOs – should include people with disabilities and share our expertise in how to do this.

How We Work 

CBM Ireland is a member of the federation of CBM Global Disability Inclusion. We believe advocacy is both local and global. Both our global and national advocacy complement one another. The combined power of the CBM Global federation and our Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPD) partners, both globally and nationally, we strive to bring about change.

Our Key Advocacy Initiatives:

Inclusion in the UN Security Council: With lived experience in peace building, Ireland’s current role in the UN Security Council paves the way to do more for the world. CBM Ireland together with the International Disability Alliance (IDA) engage with the Irish Government, in promoting inclusive peace building and protection of persons with disabilities in war and conflict.

Climate Justice: We promote climate-just solutions to growing crisis related to climate change. We ensure that organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) are involved at all levels of policy and practices. CBM Ireland is promoting disability inclusive international and national policies on climate change adaptation and mitigation under this goal, working in collaboration with OPDs and through partnerships with climate action networks.

Data for Better Accountability: The identification of gaps and difficulties governments have in upholding pledges is made possible by the availability of evidence-based data on people living with disabilities at the national and international levels. For OPDs to collaborate with policymakers to solve the gaps and amend current policies and regulations, they must have data and know how to use it. As part of this priority, CBM Ireland collaborates with its OPD partners and alliances to support policies and initiatives that emphasis data collection and push for better data on persons with disabilities and other marginalised groups. We collaborate with our country teams and OPD partners on advocacy at the national level.

UN Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities: While the convention has been signed by many governments, the implementation is slow and compartmentalised. We work with Dóchas network and collectively influence the government to formulate policies and allocate greater resources for inclusive development and humanitarian practices in the Global South.

Inclusive Humanitarian Action: CBM Ireland is promoting inclusion and accountability for persons with disabilities and their representative organisations in the humanitarian sector under this focus, working in collaboration with OPDs.

CBM Ireland works alongside some of the key organisations and networks below to achieve its objectives:

International Disability Alliance (IDA) to advance the conversation on the protection of persons with disabilities in war and conflict.

European Disability Forum (EDF): to promote inclusion in humanitarian action and meaningful participation of the OPDs.

Climate Action Network (CAN) International: CBM Global is a member of the network. CBM Ireland actively engages with CAN and its members.

Dóchas Disability and Development Working Group (DDIDWG) where the partners in international development take collective action, influence the Irish government to promote inclusive development and humanitarian and climate justice.

Coalition 2030 to ensure deliver inclusive Sustainable Development Goals

IDEA – to work together with the partners in development education/ global citizenship education sector and enhance the conversation on inclusion in the sector and amongst the Irish public.

End Orphanage Care Campaign to support and strengthen the movement for community-based inclusive care.

For more information, contact Mahbub Kabir at mahbubkabir@cbm.ie