Yuri ChekalinOn April 30, the UN Office at Geneva hosted the international event “Creating the Future Today.” It was organized by the Russian Interregional Charitable Public Organization for Assistance to Persons with Disabilities “Sail of Hope,” with the support of the UN Association of Russia (Chairman A.V. Torkunov), in collaboration with the International Alliance of BRICS Strategic Projects and the All-Russian Public-State Organization “Women’s Union of Russia.”
The meeting brought together representatives of the UN, international organizations, the expert community, businesses, and civil society to discuss promoting inclusion and equal opportunities for people with disabilities on the global agenda.
The event aimed to develop international dialogue on inclusive policies, exchange best practices, and develop approaches to social support, safety, and participation of people with disabilities in public and economic life. Particular attention was paid to strengthening cooperation within the framework of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The discussion focused on modern approaches to creating an accessible environment, including the development of universal design, the elimination of infrastructural and digital barriers, and the implementation of innovative solutions that ensure equal access to education, employment, and social life. Particular attention was paid to the development of an inclusive economy, which involves the active involvement of people with disabilities in economic processes, as well as digital security, including the protection of personal data and the accessibility of digital services in the context of rapid technological transformation.
Representatives from several countries participated in the event, including the Russian Federation, Switzerland, China, the UAE, Mongolia, Serbia, Moldova, Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia. Representatives from European and African countries also delivered welcoming remarks, highlighting the broad international interest in inclusion.
Gennady Mikhailovich Gatilov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, delivered a welcoming address. Larisa Zelentsova, President of the International Charitable Organization “Sail of Hope,” noted that at the event, participants not only discuss inclusion issues but also formulate concrete solutions that enable people with disabilities to be full members of society.
One of the event’s key initiatives was the international social project “The World Through My Eyes.” Its representatives and initiators—Alisa Nemchenko, Irina Melnikova, Alexandra Tishchenko, and the project’s founder, Denis Davydov—announced its launch. The project brings together participants from more than 30 countries and provides people with disabilities with a platform for self-expression through visual art.
“I want the ‘World Through My Eyes’ project to help participants believe in themselves, and for viewers to stop their daily grind and see how beautiful the world is,” Denis Davydov addressed the participants.
The program included three thematic sessions featuring experts from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The discussion focused on the integration of technologies, including artificial intelligence, into education, rehabilitation, and sports, as well as social innovation, medical practices, and the role of civil society in ensuring sustainable development. Particular attention was paid to gender support, environmental factors in health, and the fight against discrimination.
Following the meeting, the participants reaffirmed the need to further develop international partnerships, scale up successful practices, and promote initiatives aimed at creating an inclusive and equitable society for all.
