A Century of Advocacy Meets a New Generation
Founded in 1922 as the International Society for Crippled Children—later renamed Rehabilitation International—RI has played a pivotal role in shaping disability inclusion across sectors. From supporting the birth of the Paralympic Games in 1950 to creating the International Symbol of Access in 1969 and championing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD) in 2006, the organization has consistently influenced global standards for accessibility and equality.
In his opening address, Prof. Gutenbrunner highlighted the urgent need to bring youth perspectives into RI’s advocacy agenda.
“Policy-making is often dominated by people with long careers in advocacy,” he noted. “But young people with disabilities face distinct challenges—social stigma, barriers in education and employment, even discrimination on digital platforms. Their voices must guide the next generation of inclusion policies.”
The RI Youth Forum seeks to provide precisely that: a platform for exchange, collaboration, and leadership development, allowing young people to shape global rehabilitation and inclusion agendas from within.
Goals and Structure of the RI Youth Forum
According to the forum’s Terms of Reference, the Youth Forum will operate as a voluntary, advisory body within RI. Its core objectives include:
- Creating communication channels for young persons with disabilities to share experiences, ideas, and challenges.
- Advising RI leadership on youth perspectives across rehabilitation, education, and human rights.
- Developing case studies and advocacy materials that reflect real-life issues faced by young people with disabilities.
- Collaborating with RI commissions to influence campaigns and guidelines on disability-inclusive universities, sports, and social participation.
- Utilizing social media and digital tools to combat discrimination and promote awareness.
The forum will also work toward a “Youth Declaration”, a collective statement outlining key demands and recommendations for global action, as well as a network for ongoing mentorship and collaboration among participants.
A Global Platform Rooted in Shared Humanity
The forum’s launch is more than a symbolic gesture; it’s a practical framework for action. Prof. Gutenbrunner emphasized that the life situation of persons with disabilities is deeply shaped by social attitudes, cultural factors, and political environments. Young people, he said, face intersectional barriers—from gender and income inequality to digital exclusion—and addressing these requires a generational shift in advocacy.
To this end, the Forum will actively collaborate with RI’s regional commissions and international partners such as the UN Youth Affairs Office, UNESCO, and the International Disability Alliance, building a truly global network of young disability advocates.
The RI President also invited youth participants to take part in future RI conferences and UN events, ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of international policy-making.
Members of the founding committee of the RI Youth Forum have been appointed::
- Miyoba Hamuhuma (Zambia – Founding Committee Member of RI Youth Forum for the Africa region)
- Jakeel Abdullah (United States of America – Founding Committee Member of RI Youth Forum for the North America region )
- Maryam Alqubaisi (United Arab Emirates – Founding Committee Member of RI Youth Forum for the Middle East and North Africa region)
- Antoniett Vebel Pharao (Denmark – Founding Committee Members of RI Youth Forum for the European region)
- Seungwon Jung and Si-Eun Hyun (South Korea – Founding Committee Members of RI Youth Forum for the Asia region
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