Participants of international conference organized by EDAN-PTCA at Serampore College Campus from June 26 to 28.
International community called to work for dignity and rights of persons with disabilities
Dimapur, June 30 (MExN): In the just concluded international conference on ‘Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities for Building Just-Society: Asian Cultural and Religious Resources’, a delegation led by Dr. Ezamo Murry and Dr. Limatula Longkumer called the international community to work for the dignity and rights of persons with disabilities.
The conference was organized by EDAN-PTCA (Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network of World Council of Churches and Programme for Theology and Cultures in Asia). It was hosted by the Department of Research/SATHRI, Senate of Serampore College, West Bengal from June 26 to 28 at the Serampore College Campus. The conference was facilitated by Angeline Okola and Dr. Wati Longchar.
According to a press release issued by Dr. Wati Longchar, the conference was represented by academicians, people with disabilities, caregivers, religious leaders and activists of rights for the disabled from six nations. The participants consist of both Hindu and Christian. Country representatives shared their countries initiative undertaken by Governments, NGOs, and particularly by churches and theological institutions for upliftment of PwDs. All of them pointed out that PwDs are still discriminated and excluded from the mainstream society and called for changed attitude and collective action.
The conference deliberated on a wide range of issues such as the link between global economic system, poverty and disability, religion and culture, religious teachings and disability, human rights and disability, and ecumenical initiatives. This conference has not only addressed and explored various issues on disability which affect humanity at the home and the world but also opened the portals of new avenues of interpreting them towards attaining a comprehensive goal of the society.
Among the imminent academicians, three Naga scholars Dr. Limatula Longkumer, Dr Ezamo Murry and Ekonthung Ezung spoke during the conference and challenged the international participants to change the social, religious and cultural perspectives towards PwDs.
The other participants from Nagaland and North East who spoke on the panel were Kilangla Longchar, Akangnungba, Mary Chang, Gloria Tsopoe and Bendangyapang. They shared their personal experiences of disabilities and highlighted how the right and justice are denied to PwDs in Nagaland and other parts of the world.
They called upon international community to identify the gifts of God endowed on PwDs, provide opportunity in employment, and especially to women with disabilities and to create disable friendly infrastructures. The conference identified that awareness, conscientization and advocacy campaign is still crucial and important for creating inclusive communities in Asian countries.
The conference called upon faith communities and NGOs to take seriousness in educating the people and observe International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Asia Sunday on solidarity with PwDs in the churches and teach disability discourse in theology institutions for building a just-society for all.
