Nothing About Us, Without Us!

Around 1.3 billion persons worldwide have a disability. But instead of equal participation, they are often faced with discrimination. The Global Disability Summit (GDS), which will take place in Berlin from 2 to 4 April, will focus on this setting an example for inclusive solutions. How can we shape societies so that participation becomes a reality for everyone? How can we set the political course to dismantle discrimination and create equal opportunities?

Jürgen Dusel, the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities, emphasises that a great deal of commitment is still required to ensure that inclusion in development cooperation reaches everyone. Agriculture could be a starting point: A listicle illustrates the opportunities offered by this sector. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) emphasises that the potential of farmers with disabilities in rural regions is often not sufficiently taken into account. World Vision's ‘Growing Disability Inclusiveness in Agriculture’ guide addresses this issue and aims to actively involve people with disabilities in decision-making processes.

In April 2025, Germany has organised the Global Disability Summit together with co-hosts Jordan and the International Disability Alliance. Within the German government, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) was in charge of organising the event. The aim of the international summit was to promote the global implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities from a development policy perspective. Read all about the Global Disability Inclusion Report and the previous findings from the regional summits.

„We have no reason to look down on others.”

An Interview with Jürgen Dusel

The Global Disability Summit in Berlin at the beginning of April aims to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities. What does this mean for development cooperation? An interview with Jürgen Dusel, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities.

Five ways to promote inclusion in rural areas

A listicle by Yvonne Bielfeld

The path to employment or self-employment remains a challenge for persons with disabilities. Although one in six people in the world have a disability, only a third of them are employed. With these five criteria, the agricultural sector can become more accessible for people with disabilities.

Inclusion is a Human Right.

Article 32 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities therefore commits states parties to ensuring that their development cooperation is inclusive. Projects around the world show what inclusion and therefore diversity can look like. Special attention is paid to access to resources: In rural regions, there is often a lack of barrier-free educational opportunities, medical care and social protection systems. This not only has an impact on individual livelihoods, but also on society as a whole.

How data and digitalisation are pushing human rights

by Jan Rübel

The third Global Disability Summit in Berlin is looking for tangible ways to enforce the legal rights of persons with disabilities. Data and digitalisation are an important tool for this, also in development policy. At the event in Berlin, it is undeniable that advances in digitalisation and data collection offer great potential.

“In a way, we are now at a crossroads”

with Sanja Tarczay (World Federation of the Deafblind)

People with deafblindness, who make up between zero point two per cent to two per cent of the population, are a very diverse but often hidden group that is overall more often affected by poverty and unemployment. Is there progress in integration? An interview with Sanja Tarczay, President of the World Federation of the Deafblind (WFDB).

Restoration as a community-led project

by Sarah McKenzie & Barnabas Koroa (World Vision)

World Vision is committed to community-led approaches to sustaining and restoring food systems that integrate diverse perspectives - including those of people with disabilities. Its ‘Growing Disability Inclusiveness in Agriculture’ guide aims to actively involve people with disabilities in decision-making processes.

Shifting mindsets, breaking barriers

by Valentina Franchi & Valentina Del Monti (IFAD)

Removing barriers for people with disabilities is not only a matter of equality, but also of sustainability. Especially in rural areas, the potential of farmers with disabilities is often not sufficiently taken into account. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) focuses on an inclusive approach and places farmers with disabilities at the centre of its programmes according to the motto ‘Nothing about us, without us’.

Facts, Figures and Data

People with Disabilities are Part of a Diverse Society.

A living environment becomes barrier-free not only when physical barriers are removed, but when prejudices and marginalising thought patterns are eliminated. Find out more in the Living Inclusion Network.

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