The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner developed the CRPD (Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities) as a framework for the first human rights convention of this time.The CRPD provisions are supported by human rights indicators as well as a list of articles. When we think about CRPD as a framework for development, the implementation of human rights indications are clearly sought out for, especially in regards to CRPD linkage to the SDGs. This type of consultation supports the “Bridging of Gaps” as a means of strength

ening the rights of persons with disabilities in mutual consultation with the CRPD and the SDGs. The cool thing about the CRPDs is that these indicators are closely linked to the SDGs. Additionally, they specify the importance of monitoring, reporting, and implementing the targets and indicators listed in each of the SDGs. Then, how are SDGs relevant?

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) display an array of goals pertinent to the UN Agenda, more specifically set by the General Assembly of the UN, outlining the 17 global goals that should be achieved by the year 2030. While all 17 goals are important to underline, goal 17 discusses the means to revitalize the global partnership as a mechanism for sustainable development. With an even more interconnected world, improving equal access to technology and knowledge is key to sharing ideas and fostering innovation is important  (as outlined by Goal 17 of UN’s SDGs).

Goal 17 from SDG links to Article 31 of the CRPD, emphasizing data collection. With the fourth industrial revolution and recent developments in technology, data has become king. In other words, data collection is pertinent to understanding what and how these goals are measured in each of their respective targets and indicators. Here, we start to ask the questions of: Did the SDGs have an impact in transforming our world? 

When evaluating how SDGs transform our world, one may analyze how specific indicators provide an “inclusive, active-oriented” approach to achieving the respective goal. In the end, what’s important is understanding how to transform our world in a way that opens up choice and the ability to make decisions about one’s life (as equally applicable for persons with disability and for every human being). This conceptual idea of social inclusion is discussed by Ari Rimmerman in the book, “Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities”, Chapters 1-4. 

I found interesting the notion of “digital divide” Ari mentioned which displays the gap between those effectively utilizing new information and access to telecommunications in contrast to those who cannot due to lack of access to new information/skills. Hence, once these components have been taken into consideration, inclusive sustainability will enable the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.

So then, what does the HLPF (High-level Political Forum) have to do with SDGs? How has HLPF played a role in the implementation of SDGs? The key is in the “inclusive  implementation” of these frameworks and tools to effectuate objectives. As short background, HLPF was “the most inclusive and participatory forum at the United Nations”. The HLPF stakeholders meets annually for 8 days under ECOSOC and there are different logistics for high-level meet ups. Additionally, the key 9 Major Group system from the Earth Summit gets preferential access to the materials and contents of the HLPF gathering. These 9 major groups manifests an organized key stakeholder analysis (the 9 Major Groups) as a mechanism for advocacy at the grassroots level, then communication up through higher-levels. In this way, the implementation is shaped to understand each of their roles that promote this specific vision: “Shaping how people think about these issues, change perspectives, partnerships”.