International Board of Ambassadors for Persons with Disabilities

VIENNA, Austria, October 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

On occasion of The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Every seventh person on this planet lives with a disability. On average, persons with disabilities and households with a disabled member experience higher rates of deprivations - including food insecurity, poor housing, lack of access to safe water and sanitation, and inadequate access to health care.* People of international renown now put their standing and expertise at the service of the international development organisation 'Light for the World', demanding dignity and rights for persons with disabilities. Goodwill Ambassador Lord Joel Joffe has already defended Nelson Mandela in court 50 years ago in South Africa.

Former EU Commissioner for External Relations Benita Ferrero-Waldner was the first to sign the declaration of support for the International Board of Ambassadors called into life by the European development NGO 'Light for the World'. Right on the pulse - the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into effect five years ago and has since been ratified by 137 states.

The goal: marginalization and discrimination, common practice since time began, shall soon be history. Seven internationally renowned ambassadors now give a voice to persons with disabilities in developing countries:

Emer.Prof.Ronald McCallum AO (Australia, Vice-Chairperson of the UN-Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Emeritus Professor of Law at the University of Sydney, Australian of the Year 2011)

Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner (Austria, former Commissioner of the European Union, President of EU-LAC Foundation)

Haile Gebrselassie (Ethiopia, running legend, multiple Olympic medalist and world champion)

Lord Joel Joffe (South Africa and UK, former Human Rights Lawyer, representing Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia Trial 1963/1964)

Prince Maximilian von und zu Liechtenstein (Liechtenstein, Group CEO LGT Group Foundation)

Yetnebersh Nigussie (Ethiopia, Executive Director Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development)

Henry Wanyoike (Kenya, gold medalist at Paralympics 2000/2004)

The Support Committee sees itself right in the middle of the joint concert of many international initiatives, all striving towards the same goal: an inclusive society. The time could not be better, as world leaders gathered in New York on September 23 for a UN High Level Meeting on Disability and Development called for the fulfilment of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in international cooperation. The development organisation 'Light for the World' advocates the rights of persons with disabilities, from the micro-level such as in villages in North-East India to the floor of the United Nations. This committed and sustainable advocacy and involvement is valued and supported by the seven highly-regarded members of the International Board of Ambassadors of 'Light for the World'.  Lord Joel Joffe says: "The outstanding work that 'Light for the World' does in a field of desperate need, is an inspiration to all who care about justice."

Find out more in the personal quotes of support of the international ambassadors:

http://www.light-for-the-world.org/who-we-are/the-international-board-of-ambassadors

*World Report on Disability 2011 by WHO and The World Bank, http://www.who.int/disabilities 

Enquiries:
Gabriel Mueller, director international alliances
Light for the World
mobile: +43-676-950-42-04
e-mail: g.mueller@light-for-the-world.org
internet: http://www.light-for-the-wold.org