Learning Together for Inclusion

A training session for UN staff on disability inclusion was held at the UN House in Sarajevo, jointly organised by UNDP and OHCHR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with organisations of persons with disabilities from across the country.

The training is part of the Action Plan of the UN Disability Inclusion Working Group (DIWG), co-chaired by UNDP and UN Women, and aims to strengthen the capacities of UN staff on the concepts of inclusion, accessibility, and the human rights of persons with disabilities.

During the first part of the training, through inspiring presentations by speakers from various organisations of persons with disabilities from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region, participants were introduced to challenges and good practices in the field of inclusion. Discussions covered domestic and international laws and documents, with a particular focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the experiences of women, youth, and LGBTIQ+ persons with disabilities. One of the key topics was personal assistance.

“Personal assistance is extremely important because it enables independent living in the community, contributes to dignity, equality, and participation in all areas of society. The essence is that personal assistance is not charity or care, but a support service that empowers a person to make their own life choices,” said Jovana Džever, a member of the Youth Association InfoPart Banja Luka.

In the second part of the training, participants engaged in practical exercises, role-play, and personal storytelling, gaining insight into different perspectives on disability, from using Braille and white canes to sign language interpretation and writing easy-to-read texts.

The training, held on 6 November 2025, represents another step toward building an inclusive system within the United Nations and society as a whole, one in which every person has equal rights, opportunities, and a voice that is heard.